Dry Eye Syndrome

If you’re not able to make adequate tears to get enough tears out of an eye and the tears production are not enough, you could be suffering from dry eyes syndrome. Tears helps to clean the eyes and also reduces the possibility of eye infections.

According to a report released by National Library of Medicine “Dry Eye Disease: Impact on Quality of Life and Vision”, dry eye can reduce visual functioning, causing you to experience less satisfaction.

Dry eyes are often common as it affects millions of Americans every year. The good news is that if you have dry eye, there are lots of things you can do to keep your eyes healthy and stay comfortable.

Dry eye symptoms include :

• dry, gritty or burning sensation in the eyes
• redness
• watery or teary eyes and
• mucus that make the eyes feel “glued shut” after sleeping
• scratchy feeling- feels like something in the eye

What causes dry eye?

Dry eye occurs with a number of reasons such as age, with various medical conditions or as a side effect of certain medicines. Environmental conditions, such as wind and dry climates, can also decrease tear volume due to increased tear evaporation.

When the normal amount of tear production decreases or the excess tears can evaporate too quickly from the eyes, symptoms of dry eye can develop. Also, poor quality of tears are also one of the factor contributing to dry eyes.

Tears are made up of three layers: oil [Lipid] , water [Aqueous], and mucus [Mucin]. Each component protects and nourishes the front surface of the eye. A smooth oil layer helps prevent evaporation of the water layer, while the water layer consist of mainly water, helps to lubricate the eye, wash away particles and prevent infection. Lastly the mucin layer spreads the tears evenly over the surface of the eye.

Decreased tear production

Dry eye occurs when there is no adequate water or liquid tear in our body. Its medical term is Keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Common causes for an eye infection or decrease in tear production includes aging and certain medical conditions.

Increased tear evaporation

When the speed of tears of evaporation increase, it could signal that there is a blockage in meibomian glands. On the eye lids there is a small clogged oil molecule that can cause it to clog on the lid margin. Which resulted an increased tear evaporation.

What causes dry eyes at night?

Dryness at night often results in something that you do during the day. For example, If one has to focus on the computer or a book for a while with less blink, the eye feels dry later in the evening. Staring at computer screens for many hours at a time suppresses our blink reflex, which leads to more dry eyes.

It’s a good idea to take breaks when using a computer. Some people feel more comfortable wearing blue-light lenses, as it helps to reduce the glare to a certain extent. Also, keeping eye surfaces moisturised throughout the night can help with eye irritation.

The other reason which causes dry eyes at night, which occurs from sleeping with your eyes partially open or from medical conditions like facial nerve palsy or having eyelids that are turned out, causing exposure of your corneal surface of the eye. These exposure will cause dry eyes and if left untreated, as it can damage tissue and scar the cornea.

Causes & risk factors

Dry eyes can arise if tear production does not function as expected. People who suffer from dry eyes either don not produce enough tears can’t shed enough tears or are unable to shed tears at the proper time. People tend to make fewer tears as they get older due to hormonal changes.

Both men and women can get dry eye. However, it is more common in women—especially those who have gone through menopause and during pregnancy.

Other Factors that causes dry eyes includes:

• A dry, indoor environment
• Contact lenses
• Certain medications (including tranquilizers, antihistamines, certain heart medications, diuretics, birth control pills, ulcer medications and Acetophenazine Amitriptyline)

Types of dry eye disease

You may have been thinking that dry eyes are simply due to the absence of the tear glands on the eyes. But, it’s merely a small aspect. Dry eyes have many different forms.

One of the forms will be Blepharitis, it can stimulate inflammation, causing the eyelids to become red, swollen and irritated. The inflammation can often disrupt normal tear production causing dry eye.

Treatments include cleaning around eyelid margins with a cotton bud or clean face cloth and eyelid scrub. Eye drops (artificial tears) for dry eyes. Antibiotic ointments and medications prescribed by your doctor.

Eye exam

Your physician may perform an eye exam and determine whether the eye has any damage or not. Some of the test will be putting a drop of sodium fluorescein (a yellow dye) into the eyes. The dye mixes with the tears, allowing evaluation of the tear film.

Another test will be putting the strips of filter paper placed between the lower lid and eye to measure tear production.The eye doctor can help you to make an informed decision on what test that is suitable for you.

Treatment options

If dry eye is left untreated, it can damage tissue and scar the cornea. Treatment of dry eye is directed at wetting the eye, reducing inflammation, improving the work/home environment and evaluating overall health, medications and diet. Such as:

• Artificial tears or ointments
• Punctual plugs to prevent tear drainage
• Eliminating dryness and dust
• Diet modification
• Evaluation of medications
• Increased blinking
• Treatment of associated medical problems
• Nutritional supplements containing essential fatty acids may help decrease dry eye symptoms
• Glasses, goggles or contact lenses that keep moisture in the eyes
• anti-inflammatory cyclosporine (Restasis) , lifitegrast (Xiidra), or corticosteroid eye drops (severe dry eye)
• Oral tetracycline and doxycycline
• Tiny plugs placed in the tear drainage ducts
• DO NOT smoke
• Avoid second-hand smoke, direct wind, and air conditioning
• Use a humidifier
• Wear sunglasses outdoors , particularly those with wraparound frames, to reduce exposure to drying winds and the sun.
• Position your computer screen below eye level, so that you won’t open your eyes as wide. This may help slow the evaporation of your tears between eye blinks.

Treatment for dry eye syndrome depends largely on the severity of the disease. Mild cases of dry eye syndrome require no more than use of artificial tear solutions and hot or warm compresses, with eyelid massage using ophthalmic ointments. If the condition is not sufficiently managed with artificial tears, user might use sustained-release eye lubricants.

What are the best eye drops for dry eyes?

Dry eye treatment usually includes eye drops, gels, and ointments. Most are made up of ingredients that help to maintain moisture. Preservative-free artificial tear solutions are recommended because they contain fewer additives, which soothe and keep the eyes lubricated.

Find products that contain lubricating substances like carboxymethylcellulose. Also find electrolytes like potassium.

Talk to the provider to find out which option is suitable. You can use artificial tears as often as you need to. Also, you can purchase artificial tears without a prescription chit. It’s so convenient! There are many brands in the market, try a few until you find a brand that works best for you.

How can I reduce my risk of dry eye?

Dry eyes are caused by a wide variety of factors and are often hard to diagnose. It is possible to limit risk by:

If it is environmental factors causing your dry eyes, certain lifestyle changes may help. This can include avoiding exposure to cigarette smoke and protecting your eyes by wearing eyewear during outdoor activities, especially when it’s windy. Adding a humidifier to your home can put moisture in the air, which may help to reduce the dry eye symptoms.

Dry eyes can be a chronic condition, but a doctor of optometry can prescribe treatment to keep your eyes healthy and comfortable for long periods and to prevent your vision from being affected.

The primary approaches used to manage and treat dry eyes include adding tears using over-the-counter artificial tear solutions, conserving tears, increasing tear production, and treating the inflammation of the eyelids or eye surface that contributes to the dry eyes. Mild cases of dry eyes can often be managed using over-the-counter artificial tear solutions.