overview

Dry Eye

Dry eye is a common condition that occurs when your tears aren't able to provide adequate lubrication for your eyes. This can happen if you don't produce enough tears or if the tears you produce are of poor quality. This lack of proper lubrication can lead to discomfort, inflammation, and in some cases, damage to the surface of the eye.

dry eye

Cause

Dry eye can stem from a variety of factors that affect tear production or quality. Common culprits include:

  • Aging: Natural decline in tear production with age.
  • Hormonal Changes: Fluctuations often seen in women (e.g., pregnancy, menopause).
  • Medical Conditions & Medications: Underlying diseases or certain drugs (e.g., antihistamines, antidepressants).
  • Environmental Factors: Exposure to wind, smoke, dry air, and prolonged screen use.
  • Contact Lens Use: Can contribute to dryness over time.
  • Eyelid Problems: Conditions like blepharitis or eyelid malposition.

dry eye

Symptoms

  • A stinging, burning, or scratchy sensation in the eyes
  • Redness of the eyes
  • A feeling of having something in your eyes
  • Watery eyes, which is the body's response to the irritation of dry eyes
  • Blurred vision or eye fatigue
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Difficulty wearing contact lenses
  • Stringy mucus in or around the eyes

dry eye

Risk Factor

  • Being over the age of 50
  • Being female
  • Wearing contact lenses
  • Having a diet low in vitamin A and omega-3 fatty acids
  • Undergoing refractive eye surgery, like LASIK
  • Having certain autoimmune conditions

dry eye

Treatment

  • Artificial Tears: Over-the-counter eye drops can provide temporary relief by
    lubricating the eyes.
  • Prescription Medications: Your doctor may prescribe eye drops to reduce inflammation (such as cyclosporine or lifitegrast) or medications to stimulate tear production.
  • Punctal Plugs: Tiny plugs can be inserted into the tear ducts to slow the drainage of tears, keeping the eyes more moist.
  • Lifestyle Changes: Making changes to your environment, such as using a humidifier and taking frequent breaks from screens, can help.
  • Warm Compresses and Eyelid Hygiene: Applying warm compresses to the eyelids and gently washing them can help to open clogged meibomian glands.
  • Dietary Supplements: Increasing your intake of omega-3 fatty acids may help to improve the quality of your tears.
  • In-office Procedures: For more severe cases, treatments like thermal pulsation to unblock meibomian glands or intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy may be recommended.

dry eye

Prevention

While not all cases of dry eye are preventable, you can take
steps to reduce your risk and manage symptoms:

  • Blink Regularly: Especially when using digital screens, make a conscious effort to blink more often. The "20-20-20 rule" can be helpful: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
  • Protect Your Eyes: Wear sunglasses that wrap around to protect your eyes from wind and sun.
  • Use a Humidifier: Add moisture to the air in your home and workplace.
  • Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
  • Avoid Air Blowing in Your Eyes: Direct hair dryers, car heaters, and fans away from your eyes.
  • Take Nutritional Supplements: Consider adding omega-3 fatty acids to your diet after consulting with your doctor.
  • Properly Remove Eye Makeup: Thoroughly clean your eyelids and lashes to prevent clogging of the meibomian glands.