How does dry eye feel?

How will you feel if the bread you are eating is all dried out?

The same happens to the eyes when they go dry.

They go dry of moisture and lubrication in them.

Result?

Their anterior tissues are irritated as well as inflamed causing a lot of inconvenience to them and resulting in scratching and burning of the eyes.

Tears are the lifeline of the eyes that keep them clean, moist and healthy.

In dry eye syndrome, either the tears are produced less, or they are more watery than oily, or both!

Dry eye causes:

* Natural Aging Process: hormonal changes during menopause .

* Side Effect of Medicines: like antihistamines, antidepressants, blood pressure medicines, Parkinson's medications, birth control pills et cetera.

* Geographical Location: dry, dusty or windy climate tends to evaporate tears faster than they are produced.

* Humidity Control Systems: in homes and offices excessive use of air conditioning or dry heating.

* Lack of Blinking: caused by the habit of staring.

* Side Effect of Diseases: like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome et cetera.

* Contact Lenses: keeping wearing them for long.

* Smoking: tends to dry up the eye.

* LASIK: increased severity of dry eye is an after-effect of LASIK eye surgery.

* Deficient Tear Producing Glands: there are three different layers of tears, namely -

o Outer Oily Lipid Layer

o Middle Watery Lacrimal Layer

o Inner Mucous Mucin Layer

All the three layers are produced by three different glands around the eye. If any one of them goes dysfunctional, it results in a dry eye.

Dry Eye Treatment Options:

* Artificial Tears: lubricating eye-drops that soothe the eyes.

* Restasis Eye-drops: tend to increase tear production.

* Use of Sunglasses: useful in sunny, dusty and windy climate.

* Use of Humidifier: to counter the drying effect of air conditioning and/or dry heating.

* Lacrimal Plugs or Punctal Plugs: silicone plugs in the lacrimal ducts keep tears in the eye from draining away and thus keep the eyes moist. New gel type plugs are superior in quality and function.

* Surgical Closure of Lacrimal Glands: in case plugs are ineffective.

* Nutritional Supplements: fatty acids alleviate dry eye symptoms.

* Drinking More Water: keeps the moisture level in the body including the eyes high.

* Stopping Causative Medicine: like antihistamines, antidepressants, blood pressure medicines, Parkinson's medications, birth control pills et cetera.

* Treating Underlying Disease: like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome et cetera.

* More Blinking: tends to keep eyes moist.

* Changing Contact Lenses: or wearing them for fewer hours helps.

* Stopping Smoking: helps too.

* Avoiding LASIK Eye Surgery: LASIK has its after-effect as more severe dry eyes, hence it is to be avoided. Vision therapy comes handy in such a situation.

Severe Dry Eyes:

* Redness and Pain in Eyes

* Lesion on Eye or Eyelid

* Bulging Eye

* Drooping Eyelid

* Joint pain, Swelling, and Stiffness

* Dry Mouth

* Chronic Dry Eyes

Learn more about this author, G B Singh.
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