Dry Eye
Tears lubricate the eyeball and discontinue the outside from drying out. A slim film of tears is swept over the eye surface each time you blink. A watery layer of tears is topped with an even thinner coat of lipids that help to preserve the film. To maintain eye comfort and health, the tear film needs to remain intact between blinks.
A person suffering from dry eye syndrome does not have enough of the right kind of tears to keep the eye comfortable. This can happen if they do not produce enough tears to keep the eye surface moist, or if for some reason the tears do not stay on the eyes long enough. Over time, the resulting dryness can damage the surface of the eyeball.
Dry eye can afflict anyone of any age, but is more common as we get older because we produce a smaller volume of tears. Some medications can trigger dry eye, as can some general health conditions. Dry eye is particularly common in postmenopausal women and people with arthritis.
People with dry eyes typically find it difficult to wear contact lenses. Dry eye sufferers may also have more problems in environments such as air-conditioned offices or supermarkets.
Symptoms
The Symptoms of dry eye syndrome include:
- Stinging or burning.
- Itchiness.
- Occasional blurred vision.
- Redness.
- Tired eyes.
Treatment Options
There is no heal for dry eye, but the state can be successfully managed. Treatment may aim to increase rip production, maintain rip film volume or prevent excess loss of rip. A range of options may be used:
- Make a conscious effort to blink more often.
- Use eye drops, gels or ointments to lubricate the surface of the eye.
- Boost the humidity of the air at home and at work by placing bowls of water around the room to evaporate.
- Some medications can cause dry eye. Consult your doctor about side effects of medications you take.
- Special plugs can be inserted into the tear ducts to prevent excessive loss of tears.
- In severe cases, surgery may be considered.
