Dry eyes, or dry eye disease, occur when a person’s eyes do not produce enough moisture on their outer surface. There is little research to show that caffeine is effective in treating dry eyes.
Scientists are uncertain about the prevalence of dry eyes. According to one 2021 article, they may affect
There has been some speculation that caffeine may be able to treat dry eyes. However, there is little research to prove that this is the case.
This article will look at what science has to say about the relationship between caffeine and dry eyes. It will also provide some more general information about dry eyes and how to treat them.
Caffeine is a stimulant that naturally occurs in plants such as tea leaves and coffee beans. Although many people drink caffeinated drinks for the taste and stimulant effects, some individuals believe that caffeine may help with dry eyes.
However, scientists have not found any evidence to support the notion that drinking caffeinated beverages can help with dry eyes.
One
In contrast, there is some evidence to suggest that caffeine intake may positively affect tear secretion. For example, one 2012 study found that caffeine consumption increased tear volume in 78 volunteers — at least in the short term. Also, a 2014 study involving 41 volunteers found that caffeine consumption may stimulate tear secretion.
That said, both studies only involved a small number of participants. Additionally, the 2014 study only looked at people who did not have dry eyes. This means that the results could be different for those with dry eye disease.
It is important to remember that science takes a long time to reach firm results. These two studies did not conclusively establish their findings. All in all, more research is necessary to confirm the relationship between caffeine consumption and tear secretion.
Although some people may want to treat dry eyes with caffeine, there is no scientific basis for this method. It is also important to consider the following common adverse effects of caffeine consumption, according to a
- anxiety
- restlessness, fidgeting, or agitation
- insomnia
- muscle twitches or tremors
- irritability
- an elevated or irregular heart rate
These adverse effects might arise or increase with greater caffeine intake.
As one
However, the authors of this paper noted that scientists no longer believe that caffeine has this effect.
According to a
Nevertheless, some prescription medications can help with the symptoms. These medications include:
- ocular lubricants, or artificial tears
- lifitegrast ophthalmic solution, which is an eye drop that helps reduce inflammation
- OTX-101 0.09%, which increases tear production
Certain lifestyle choices may also help with dry eyes.
For instance, the
The American Optometric Association notes that people can try the following to help reduce the symptoms of dry eyes:
- blinking regularly when reading or when using screens
- increasing the humidity at home
- wearing sunglasses outside to help reduce exposure to the wind and sun
- drinking eight to 10 glasses of water each day to help prevent dehydration
One
- a burning or stinging sensation in the eyes
- a sandy sensation in the eyes
- blurry vision
- heavy eyelids
- tired eyes
The same review noted that severe cases of dry eye disease can cause some more serious health issues. In some instances, these can go on to cause loss of vision. These health issues include:
- infectious keratitis
- ulceration of the eyes
- scarring of the eyes
Dry eye disease does not typically lead to serious health conditions. However, it can be uncomfortable and irritating.
Although there is currently no cure for dry eyes, there are medical treatments and home remedies to help manage the symptoms.
Some research has suggested that caffeine may help increase the production of tears in healthy individuals. However, there is little research to prove that caffeine can help treat dry eyes.