What is dry eye?
Dry eyes is a common condition that occurs when your tears aren’t able to provide adequate lubrication for your eyes. Tears can be inadequate for many reasons; usually if you don’t produce enough tears or if you produce poor-quality tears.
What are the symptoms?
Stinging or burning of the eye.
Sandy or gritty feeling.
Episodes of excess tears.
A stringy discharge from the eye.
Pain and redness of the eye.
Episodes of blurred vision.
Heavy eyelids.
Uncomfortable contact lens.
Decreased tolerance of reading, working on the computer, or any activity that requires sustained visual attention.
Eye fatigue.
How is dry eye treated?
Depending on the causes of dry eye, your doctor may use various approaches to relieve the symptoms. Dry eye can be managed as an ongoing condition. The first priority is to determine if a disease is the underlying cause of dry eye; if so, then treatment will need to be managed. Cyclosporine- an anti-inflammatory medication- is the only prescription drug available to treat dry eye. It decreases corneal damage, increases basic tear production, and reduces symptoms of dry eye. It may take three to six months of twice-a-day dosages for medication to work. Another option is to plug the drain from the eye into the nose. Lacrimal plugs, also called punctal plugs, can be inserted painlessly by an eye care professional, and the patient usually does not feel them. These plugs are made of silicone or collagen, are removable, and often fall out after months or years. You can also wear sunglasses or wrap-around shades that can help by adding moisture to the air.
What are the causes of dry eye?
Dry eye can be a side effect of some medications, including antihistamines, nasal decongestants, tranquilizers, certain blood pressure medicines, Parkinson’s medications, birth control pills and anti-depressants.
Skin disease on or around the eyelids can result in dry eye.
Infrequent blinking, associated with staring at computer or video screens, may also lead to dry eye symptoms.
Loss of sensation in the cornea from long-term contact lens wear can lead to dry eye.
Dry eye can be associated with immune system disorders such as Sjögren’s syndrome, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Exposure to irritants such as chemical fumes and tobacco smoke, or drafts from air conditioning or heating.
What can I do to help?
Artificial tears, gels, and ointments that are available over the counter are the first line of therapy, providing temporary relief and important replacement of naturally produced tears in patients with aqueous tear deficiency. Avoid artificial tears with preservatives if you need to apply them more than four times a day or preparations with chemicals that cause blood vessels to constrict.
How to properly instill eye drops
1. Wash your hands.
2. Look up to the ceiling with both eyes.
3. With head tilted back, pull the lower lid of your eye down with one hand.
4. Hold the eye drop bottle or tube in your other hand (you can rest part of your hand on your forehead if necessary to keep it steady).
5. Place one eye drop or small amount of ointment in the space below the lower eyelid and surface of the eye.
6. Release the eyelid and close your eye for a minute. Gently wipe away excess fluid with a tissue.
*When using several prescribed eye drops, allow a few minutes between drop instillation.
