The 3 signs your dry eyes could be signalling a killer disease – when to see your GP
DRY eyes are common throughout the year, but can be worse in the winter because of gusts of cold wind and indoor heating.
In most cases they can be relieved with over-the-counter treatments – artificial tears in the form of eye drops are the most common dry eyes treatment.
But in some cases, dry eyes can be a sign of something more serious, including a brain tumour.
Dr Stuart Sanders, GP at The London General Practice, said: “Dry eyes can be a sign of a brain tumour.
“Unusually, pressure from a tumour behind the eye or interference with the blinking process can lead to dry irritable eyes.
“However, other symptoms associated with a brain tumour would be manifested earlier.”
Other symptoms of a brain tumour that can accompany dry eyes include:
- Change in eye movements
- Continuous headaches
- Vision and movement alteration
Dr Sanders said these are common symptoms associated with brain tumours.
In the UK, around 12,300 people are diagnosed with a brain tumour each year.
Dry eyes occur due to a failure to secrete tears which lubricate the eyelids.
Specific conditions such as Sjogren’s disease, where tears aren’t produced, can also cause dry eyes.
Dr Sanders explained: “It’s an auto-immune condition which affects other mucus secreting bodily surfaces, such as the lining of the mouth, leading to a dry mouth.”
Other symptoms that can occur with Sjogren’s disease include:
- joint pain
- swollen salivary glands – particularly the set located behind your jaw and in front of your ear
- skin rashes or dry skin
- vaginal dryness
- a persistent dry cough
- prolonged fatigue.
If dry eyes aren’t caused by more serious conditions, you can treat them yourself.
Your pharmacist can dispense a number of artificial tear products which act as lubricants.
The NHS also recommends cleaning your eyelids daily, making sure your computer screen is just below eye level, and using a humidifier to stop the air getting dry.
You should avoid smoking or drinking too much alcohol as these can dry your eyes out.
But Dr Sanders added: “It’s best to go and see your GP when simple measures do not control symptoms which are causing you distress.”
Tina Patel, Contact Lens Optician at Feel Good Contacts, said: “If you are experiencing other abnormal symptoms, such as feeling sick – particularly with sudden movements, peripheral vision issues, problems with reading, writing, spatial awareness, or drowsiness and/or loss of consciousness, then you should see your GP immediately.”
See a GP after trying home treatments for a few weeks, or if there’s a change in the shape of your eyelids.
Patel advised: “If you haven’t had an eye test recently and you experience dry eyes, it’s best to visit an optician before attempting any home remedies.
“If you have had a recent eye test then you can treat dry eyes at home with simple lifestyle changes such as resting your eyes from excessive screen use and eating more foods rich in vitamin A such as spinach, tomatoes, carrots and dairy products.”
Brain tumour symptoms and when to see a GP
Brain tumours can affect people of any age, including children, although they tend to be more common in older adults.
The symptoms depend on the exact part of the brain affected.
The most common symptoms include:
- headaches
- seizures (fits)
- persistently feeling sick (nausea), being sick (vomiting) and drowsiness
- mental or behavioural changes, such as memory problems or changes in personality
- progressive weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
- vision or speech problems
Sometimes a person with a brain tumour may not have symptoms to begin with, or symptoms may develop very slowly over time.
If you experience these symptoms you should see a GP, particularly if you have a headache that feels different from the type of headache you usually get, or if headaches are getting worse.
While you may not have a brain tumour it’s important to get these symptoms checked out.
Source: NHS