Dry Eye Syndrome

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Dry Eye Syndrome

Millions of people across the country are affected by dry eye and it is one of the most common reasons people seek eye care. Dry eye is more common with older patients due to hormonal changes and women are usually more affected by dry eye than men. Some of the common symptoms of dry eye include:

Foreign body sensation such as the feeling of sand in your eyes

Blurry vision, especially if it improves with blinking

Eye redness

Excess tearing

Eye pain

Itching, scratching, or burning of the eyes

A normal tear film is made of different layers. The outer oily layer keeps the tear surface smooth and prevents them from drying too quickly. The middle watery layer acts to clean the eye and wash away particles. The inner mucus layer helps the watery layer to spread over the eye surface. Dry eye happens when the eye surface is inadequately lubricated. This can be due to an abnormal quantity or quality of tears. Some possible causes of dry eye include:

Certain medications

Abnormal eye anatomy

Environment – windy, dry, smoky

Prolonged reading or screen time

Prior refractive eye surgery or use of contact lenses

Medical conditions such as rosacea, Sjogrens syndrome, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, thyroid disease and others

Dry eye is diagnosed by taking a good patient history, a slit lamp examination, and sometimes additional testing may be involved.  Patients who experience dry eye symptoms should see their eye care professional to determine the cause of their dry eye, which will guide their treatment methods. Treatment methods can include:

• Artificial tears act like your own tears and increase lubrication. These eye drops are available over-the-counter without a prescription.

• Prescription eye medication to increase tear production.

• Conserving tears by blocking the tear ducts where tears normally drain – through punctual plugs or sometimes a surgical procedure to permanently close your tear ducts.

• Autologous serum drops (eye drops made from your own blood)

Some things you can do at home to help your dry eye include:

Blink regularly, especially when you are doing things such as reading, watching TV, or using the computer

Use a humidifier, especially in the winter

Increase hydration by drinking enough water throughout the day

Wear wrap around eye protection when outdoors to reduce exposure to wind

Omega-3 fatty acids may also help in some patients. They are found naturally in certain foods or fish such as salmon. They are also available as a dietary supplement. Please speak with your primary care provider before taking any nutritional supplement, as some supplements can interact with other medications

It is important to correctly diagnose the underlying cause of your dry eye so see your eye doctor to find an individualized treatment plan that works best for your dry eyes.