DRY EYES
DRY EYES Dry Eye-Syndrome or Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca occurs when your eyes do not produce enough tears, which lubricate the front of the eyes, leading to friction as the eyelids rub off the front surfaces of the eyes. Symptoms of dry eyes include itching, stinging, burning, foreign body sensation, excessive tearing, blurry vision that improves with blinking.
Often you will have excess tears running down your cheek. So therefore it can be quite confusing to be diagnosed with dry eye. If your eyes stream like this, it is likely that they are not being lubricated enough and are producing more tears to compensate. However, these tears are mostly water and do not have the lubricating qualities or the rich composition of normal tears. They will wash debris away, but they will not lubricate the eye surface effectively.
Artifical tears and ocular lubricants
Your GP can prescribe drops and ointments, usually available without prescription, to help lubricate the eye and alleviate symptoms. Often a watery drop may be used during the day and a thicker gel-like ointment at night.
Punctal occlusion
Reversible blocking or occlusion of the punctual ducts where the tears drain away from the eye allows tears to be retained in the eye and ease symptoms. This method of treatment does not work for everyone and is only useful in certain cases. It is reversible – the plugs can simply be removed.
Omega 3 Oils
In recent years, studies have reported that a diet rich in Omega 3 oils can reduce the risk of developing dry eye and also ease symptoms. Two of the best sources of omega-3s are dark, oily, cold-water fish, and flaxseeds. Flaxseed oil is available in liquid form, capsule form and can be ground down from the natural seed.
General advice for dry eye sufferers
Blink more frequently if you work on a computer screen or read for long periods.
Where possible, avoid excessive exposure to air conditioning and central heating.
If you wear contact lenses ask your optometrist about high moisture or silicone hydrogel contact lenses.
Include extra omega-3 oils in your diet.
Causes of dry eye
Ageing
Dry eye happens mostly as a part of the natural ageing process. As we get older our bodies produce less oils, including the oily outer layer of the tear film. This oily layer forms a protective coating over the tears and stops them from evaporating. A deficiency in this protective layer allows tears to evaporate and leaves areas of exposure on the surface of the eye.
Women frequently experience problems with dry eyes as they enter menopause because of hormonal changes.
Physical problems
Dry eye can also be caused by problems with blinking or problems with the glands which produce the tears. Eyelid abnormalities can include:
Blocked meibomian glands which produce the protective oily layer of the tear film
Damage to the glands producing the tears may also affect the volume of tears produced.
Medications
Some drugs can cause dry eye, like antihistamines and oral contraceptives. The medications below may have associated side effects of dry eye.
Oral Contraceptive Pill
Decongestants – used in hay fever and sinusitis control
Beta Blockers – used in control of blood pressure
Diuretics – used in fluid control
Contact lenses
Contact lenses carry an increased risk if you have dry eye. Water-based lenses will absorb moisture from the tear film, reducing the quantity of tears remaining. High moisture or silicone hydrogel contact lenses may work better for you.
Working on a screen
People working on computers may find they experience dryness symptoms specifically at work. It has been reported that people working on screens for long periods at a time tend to blink less often. This allows tears to evaporate more readily.
Sjogrens syndrome
Sometimes dry eye is a symptom of conditions affecting other parts of the body particularly arthritis or a condition called Sjogrens syndrome. Sjogrens syndrome is a condition where, as well as dry eyes, people can also have a dry mouth. This condition can also involve a type of arthritis.
Other medical conditions
Other medical conditions may also cause dry eye including:
