Dry Eye Syndrome

Causes

Our eyes need tears to stay lubricated and nourished. The tears serve as a protective barrier to the eye, providing nutrients and washing away irritants like dust and other particles. Tears are made up of three parts: water, oil, and mucus. Excess tears in the eye flow into drainage ducts in the corner of the eye-lid and then drain into the back of the nose. People with dry eye syndrome either do not produce enough tears to lubricate their eyes properly, or the tears that they do produce are not the right balance of water, oil, and mucus.

Dry Eye Disease can develop for a multitude of reasons, including but not limited to:

• Age - Dry eyes can occur as part of the natural aging process, but post-menopausal women are at the greatest risk.
• Medications - Certain medications such as antihistamines, antidepressants, birth control pills, and blood pressure medications may reduce tear production, in turn causing dry eyes.
• Environmental Factors - Factors like dry and windy climates, frequent flying, smoking, and prolonged periods without blinking that may occur when staring at a computer screen can all contribute to Dry Eye.
• Medical Conditions - People who suffer from medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid-associated diseases, and diabetes are at an increased risk of experiencing dry eye problems.
• Eye Surgery - Laser eye surgeries, including LASIK, can cause dry eye, but problems occurring from this are usually temporary.

Symptoms

Dry Eye Syndrome causes many symptoms beyond just your eyes being dry. While that is one of the major problems, below are some of the other common symptoms that you might experience:

• Stinging or burning sensation in your eyes
• Itchy eyes
• Eyes feeling scratchy or like there is dirt or debris in them
• Eyes are red and/or irritated
• Blurry vision
• Mucus in or around the eyes
• Watery eyes
• Painful to wear contact lenses

With this condition, these symptoms may be present constantly, or you may only deal with them intermittently. In either case, if you are experiencing these regularly, schedule an appointment with an eye doctor near you for an eye exam.

• Slit Lamp Test - In this test, also called a biomicroscopy, the eye doctor uses a microscope with a bright light to get a better view of your eyes. Your doctor might use a special eyedrop with a dye to make the tears more visible so that they can examine the quality of the tears.
• Schirmer Test - The Schirmer Test is used to measure the volume of your tear production. Your doctor will place a special test strip under your eyelid to measure the amount of moisture on the strip. Learn more about the Schirmer Test here.

Dry eye symptoms alone are not enough to make an accurate diagnosis. The symptoms may be due to a different health or vision problem. Schedule an eye exam with your local optometrist if you believe you may have Dry Eye Disease or are experiencing discomfort.

Treatment Options

There are many different Dry Eye treatment options commonly used. If you are diagnosed with Dry Eye Syndrome, consult with your eye doctor on what the best treatment plan is for your specific needs. The severity of your condition will determine the right treatment option for you. Some of the common dry eye treatment options are:

• Artificial Tears - This is the most common treatment for dry eyes that works well for a lot of people with mild cases. Artificial tears are eye drops available over-the-counter that increase the amount of moisture in your eyes.
• Punctal Plugs - Also known as Lacrimal plugs, these are tiny devices that are placed in the tear duct in the corner of your eye to block drainage, thus increasing the moisture in your eyes. These plugs may be temporary or semi-permanent depending on what you need.
• Medications - Prescription medications may be used to treat Dry Eye. These medications are commonly used to reduce inflammation in the eyelid or cornea. Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic taken by mouth to reduce inflammation or they may prescribe eye drops that contain immune-suppressing medication, such as cyclosporine (Restasis) or corticosteroids.
• Nutrition - Proper nutrition is essential to keep your eyes healthy. Adding omega-3 fatty acids to your diet can help relieve symptoms of dry eye. You can get omega-3 fatty acids through foods like flaxseed, walnuts, salmon, and sardines, or by taking an over-the-counter supplement.

Prevention

While you may not be able to completely prevent Dry Eye, there may be things you can do to lessen the effects and minimize discomfort. Of all of the Dry Eye causes, environmental factors can be something you have control over. If you are experiencing symptoms of dry eye, try to pay attention to the factors that may be causing or worsening your symptoms so that you can avoid them in the future. This may include wearing sunglasses or other eye protection to avoid excessive wind, stopping smoking or being around other people smoking, adding a humidifier to your home and/or work area, and using artificial tears regularly. If you have found that a medication you are taking is causing Dry Eye, talk with your doctor to see if there are any alternatives available that will not cause this condition to worsen.