Three signs dry eyes could be trying to warn you of much worse health conditions

Many people suffer from dry eyes, a - but it could be something much more serious if coupled with other symptoms, warn experts.

Dry eyes present as itchiness, a gritty feeling in your , soreness, redness, or if your vision is blurry, or if your eyes are more sensitive to light or watery than normal, per the . Most commonly, this will occur in people aged over 50, those who wear contact lenses, or have to look at computer screens for extended periods without a break.

Equally, if you spend much of your time in air-conditioned or heated rooms, smoke or consume alcohol, you may be more likely to suffer from dry eyes. Taking some medications can also impact the likelihood of suffering from dry eyes, like certain anti-depressants, or medicines. The can also cause dry eyes, particularly if it is dusty and dry, the temperature is low, or it is quite windy.

Most of the time you can quite easily manage dry eyes through a few small tweaks to your day - like swapping out your contacts for glasses to give your eyes a break, cleaning your eyelids, or taking breaks away from your screen regularly - or using a treatment like eye drops or allergy medication that a pharmacist can recommend you. However, if dry eyes are accompanied by other symptoms, you may have another medical condition that requires treatment and should see your GP.

READ MORE:

As reported in , dry eyes can occasionally be a symptom of a brain tumor, but expert GP Dr. Stuart Sanders explains that other symptoms would almost always present themselves first. "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."

If dry eyes come on after you have been suffering from continuous , a change in the movements of your eyes, or altered vision or movement, then you should seek medical attention, as these are the common signs of a brain tumour, the expert explained.

Another more serious cause of dry eyes can be "an auto-immune condition which affects other mucus secreting bodily surfaces, such as the lining of the mouth, leading to a dry mouth," said Dr. Sanders. This would also be accompanied by other symptoms, like dry skin, consistent fatigue, salivary glands that become swollen - this would be between your ears and jaw - vaginal dryness, rashes, and joint pain.

"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," explains contact lens expert Tina Patel, an Optician at Feel Good Contacts.

Do you have a story to tell? Email: emma.mackenzie@reachplc.com