Understanding Dry Eye
Dry eye is a condition in which a person’s eyes do not produce enough high-quality tears to keep them lubricated and nourished. Tears are crucial for maintaining the health of the front surface of the eye and for ensuring clear vision. Dry eye syndrome is a common condition that will affect most people at some point in their lifetime. For some, the condition may be temporary and can be alleviated with little or no intervention. However, for some sufferers, the condition will be chronic, and they may experience repeated or ongoing episodes during their lifetime.
Dry eyes result from issues with your natural tear production, either producing too few tears or having them evaporate too quickly. Additionally, imbalances in the components of your tears can lead to dry eyes. Tears are a complex mixture of water, mucus, fatty oils, proteins, and other beneficial substances, forming three layers known as the tear film. Every time you blink, tears spread across the front surface of the eye, known as the cornea. Tears moisten the eyes, defend against infection, remove debris, and maintain clear vision. Imbalance in tear production and drainage can lead to dry eyes.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent dry eyes, protect your vision, and stay comfortable.
What Is Dry Eye
Dry eyes may occur when there is an imbalance between tear production and drainage. This can be due to inadequate tear production or poor tear quality.
• Insufficient tear production: Tears are created by multiple glands in and around the eyelids. As individuals age, experience certain medical conditions, or take specific medications, tear production may decrease. Additionally, environmental factors such as wind and dry climates can lead to increased tear evaporation, decreasing tear volume. When the normal amount of tear production diminishes or tears evaporate too rapidly, symptoms of dry eye can occur.
• Poor quality of tears: Tears are composed of three layers: oil, water, and mucus. The eye is protected and nourished by these three layers. The smooth oil layer prevents the water layer from evaporating, and the mucin layer spreads tears evenly over the eye’s surface. If any of these layers are deficient, the tears can evaporate too quickly or not spread evenly, leading to dry eye symptoms.
The Importance of Tears for Healthy Eyes
Tears are crucial for maintaining healthy eyes. Each time you blink, tears spread over the cornea, the clear, dome-shaped covering of the eye. After blinking, the tear film begins to thin, but it should continue to provide a moisturizing layer over the eyes until the next blink, when a thicker tear film is restored.
• Lubricating the cornea to prevent dryness
• Supplying oxygen and nutrients to nourish the eyes
• Assisting in proper vision by aiding in light focusing
• Preventing infection with an antibacterial enzyme
• Safeguarding the eyes by removing dirt and irritants
• Supporting healing in an injured eye
What Causes Dry Eyes?
Dry eye syndrome has various causes, including environmental factors and underlying health issues. Risk factors like certain conditions or individual susceptibility can increase the likelihood of developing dry eyes.
• Age: Dry eyes are a natural part of the aging process, with symptoms becoming more common after the age of 50. Most people over 65 experience some level of dry eye.
• Gender: Women are more likely to develop dry eyes due to hormonal changes from pregnancy, oral contraceptives, and menopause.
• Medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, Sjogren’s disease, Scleroderma, Lupus, Rosacea, thyroid problems, inflammation of the eyelids (blepharitis), and problems with the surfaces of the eye can also cause dry eyes.
• Medications: Certain medicines like antihistamines, decongestants, blood pressure medications, and antidepressants can reduce tear production. Other medications like acne medications, birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy, and Parkinson’s medications can also contribute to dry eye by impacting tear production.
• Environmental conditions: Exposure to smoke, wind, pollen, and dry climates can increase tear evaporation, leading to dry eye symptoms. Insufficient blinking, such as when reading or staring at a computer or television screen for a long time can also contribute to dryness.
• Other factors: Extended use of contact lenses and refractive eye surgeries like LASIK can decrease tear production.
Symptoms
Besides the prominent dry feeling in the eyes, which gives the condition its name, other
key symptoms of dry eye syndrome are:
• Irritated, gritty, or scratchy eyes
• Burning or stinging
• Sensation of something lodged in the eyes
• Redness
• Light sensitivity
• Stringy mucus near the eye
• Blurry vision
• Sore, swollen eyes
• Aches
• Watery eyes (this may seem unusual, but is actually your body’s natural response to sensing dehydration in the eyes)
Diagnosis
Dry eyes can be diagnosed during your annual comprehensive eye examination. Make sure to inform your doctor about the symptoms you are experiencing. The examination may include the following tests to evaluate the quantity and quality of tears produced by your eyes:
• Patient history is taken to determine symptoms, general health problems, medications, and environmental factors contributing to the dry eye issue.
• External and internal examination of your eyes will be provided, focusing on your tear layer, ocular surface, and eyelids.
• The eyelids and cornea will be evaluated using bright light and magnification.
• The quantity and quality of tears will be measured to check for any abnormalities. Special dyes can be used to enhance the observation of tear flow and to emphasize any alterations to the eye’s outer surface due to inadequate tear production.
A Doctor of Optometry will utilize this information to determine if you have dry eyes and advise you on treatment options. At Wise Eyes Optical, our team of experienced eye care professionals is ready to make your eye exam hassle-free and help you in the mission to correct your vision.
What Is the Treatment for Dry Eye Syndrome?
Dry eye syndrome is often a chronic condition that requires consistent, long-term treatment as part of your daily routine. The objective of treatment is to sustain healthy and balanced tears, enhancing comfort for your eyes. Treatments for dry eyes focus on restoring or maintaining the normal tear levels in the eye to reduce dryness and associated discomfort, as well as to preserve eye health. Treatment strategies include:
• Using over-the-counter artificial tears to supplement natural tear production. For frequent use, consider preservative-free artificial tears to avoid exacerbating dry eye syndrome.
• Applying warm compresses to stimulate natural oils and restore the oil layer of the tear film, aiding in preventing evaporative dry eye.
• Research suggests that natural and supplemental omega-3 fatty acids can support tear production. Your doctor may also prescribe medications to enhance tear production.
• Conserving tears: Prolonging the presence of natural tears in the eyes can alleviate dry eye symptoms. This can involve blocking tear ducts to retain tears longer, achieved through tiny plugs or surgical closure.
• Addressing contributing inflammation: Optometrists may suggest prescription eye drops, warm compresses, lid massage, or eyelid cleaners to reduce inflammation around the eyes.
Prevention plays a crucial role! Maintaining a balanced diet, wearing sunglasses for protection against wind and sun exposure, staying hydrated, and preemptively using artificial tears can help alleviate dry eye symptoms.
Protect your eyes by making an appointment with the professionals at Wise Eyes Optical, and be sure to discuss your dry eye symptoms, so your doctor can properly advise you on how to improve those symptoms.
Tips To Prevent and Alleviate Dry Eye Syndrome
Dry eyes are common, but you can take steps to keep your eyes moisturized. Here are ways to reduce dry eye symptoms:
• Take regular breaks when using screens, and make sure to blink often.
• Increase humidity at work and at home.
• Wear sunglasses, especially those with wraparound frames, when outdoors to reduce exposure to drying winds and the sun.
• Drink plenty of water (8 to 10 glasses) each day to avoid dehydration.
• Use eye drops regularly to keep your eyes moisturized.
• Avoid exposing your eyes to hair dryers, fans, air conditioning, and smoke.
• Opt for natural air and avoid windy, cold, dry, dusty, air-conditioned, or artificially heated environments.
• Avoid getting soaps or shampoo in your eyes, as they can irritate and worsen dry eye symptoms.
• Consume a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients like vitamin A and Omega 3’s to promote overall and eye health.
• Adopt a healthy lifestyle by quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol intake, as this can contribute to better eye health and reduce the risk of dry eye syndrome.
• Consult your doctor about taking nutritional supplements containing essential fatty acids to relieve dry eye symptoms.
• See Your Optometrist: While at-home treatments can provide relief, it’s best to seek dry eye therapy from an optometrist. They can evaluate your eyes and recommend the best dry eye treatment for you. The professionals at Wise Eyes Optical work closely with our patients to help them stay on top of their eye health. Schedule your next eye exam today by calling us at (717) 242-1915.
Long-term Complications from Dry Eyes
Dry eyes can cause discomfort but can be effectively treated. Mild cases of dry eyes may result in bothersome symptoms such as burning, a scratchy sensation, and light sensitivity. Long-term issues rarely arise when mild to moderate dry eyes is properly treated. However, if left untreated or if the condition is severe, serious complications may occur. If you experience any problems with dry or affected vision, it is recommended to promptly seek medical attention for an examination and appropriate treatment to prevent worsening of dry eyes.
For additional guidance on minimizing dry eye syndrome, or if you are currently experiencing dry eyes and need support, please do not hesitate to contact our experienced team at Wise Eyes Optical. We are committed to helping you.
Contact Wise Eyes Optical
Your Hometown Vision Center Serving Central Pennsylvania
Your local Wise Eyes Optical hometown vision center is here to help you achieve the best possible vision for life. We offer expert eye and vision care including eye-related medical care, custom fitting of eyeglasses and contacts, eyeglass repair, and much more. If you have questions or would like to learn more, reach out to your nearest Central Pennsylvania Wise Eyes Optical office. For assistance, call (717) 242-1915.
