Dry Eye
Dry eye disease is a common condition that occurs when your tears aren’t able to provide adequate lubrication for your eyes. Tears can be inadequate and unstable for many reasons. For example, dry eyes may occur if you don’t produce enough tears or if you produce poor-quality tears. This tear instability leads to inflammation and damage to the eye’s surface.
Causes
Dry eyes are caused by a variety of reasons that disrupt the healthy tear film. Your tear film has three layers: fatty oils, aqueous fluid and mucus. This combination usually keeps the surface of your eyes lubricated, smooth and clear. Problems with any of these layers can cause dry eyes.
Reasons for tear film dysfunction are many, including hormone changes, autoimmune disease, inflamed eyelid glands or allergic eye disease. For some people, the cause of dry eyes is decreased tear production or increased tear evaporation.
Symptoms
- A stinging, burning or scratchy sensation in your eyes
- Stringy mucus in or around your eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- Eye redness
- A sensation of having something in your eyes
- Difficulty wearing contact lenses
- Difficulty with nighttime driving
- Watery eyes, which is the body’s response to the irritation of dry eyes
- Blurred vision or eye fatigue
Decreased Tear Production
Dry eyes can occur when you’re unable to produce enough liquid tears, also called aqueous fluid. The medical term for this condition is keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Common causes are :
- Ageing
- Certain medical conditions including Sjogren’s syndrome, allergic eye disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, graft vs. host disease, sarcoidosis, thyroid disorders or vitamin A deficiency
- Certain medicines, including antihistamines, decongestants, hormone replacement therapy, antidepressants, and medicines for high blood pressure, acne, birth control and Parkinson’s disease
- Corneal nerve de-sensitivity caused by contact lens use, nerve damage or laser eye surgery.
Risk Factors
- Dry eyes are more common in people over 50. Tear production tends to diminish as you get older.
- Being a woman. A lack of tears is more common in women, especially if they experience hormonal changes due to pregnancy, using birth control pills or menopause.
- Eating a diet that is low in vitamin A, which is found in liver, carrots and broccoli, or low in omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish, walnuts and vegetable oils.
- Wearing contact lenses or having a history of refractive surgery.
Complications
- Eye infections
- Damage to the surface of your eyes.
- Decreased quality of life
Prevention
- Avoid air blowing in your eyes.
- Add moisture to the air.
- Consider wearing wraparound sunglasses or other protective eyewear.
- Take eye breaks during long tasks.
- Be aware of your environment.
- Position your computer screen below eye level
- Stop smoking and avoid smoke.
- Use artificial tears regularly.
Treatment
- Prescription eye drops or ointments
- Eye inserts that work like artificial tear
- Tear-stimulating medicines.
- A nasal spray to increase tear production
- Warm compresses on the eyes
- Massaging on eyelids
- Certain eyelid cleaners.
