What is Dry Eye?
Dry eye occurs when the eye does not produce tears properly, or when the tears are not of the correct consistency and evaporate too quickly. This will make your eyes feel uncomfortable and can cause vision problems. Dry eye can make many activities, such as using a computer or reading for an extended period, much more difficult. It can also decrease tolerance for dry environments, such as inside an airplane.
Other names for dry eye include dry eye syndrome, keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), dysfunctional tear syndrome, lacrimal keratoconjunctivitis, evaporative tear deficiency, aqueous tear deficiency, and LASIK-induced neurotrophic epitheliopathy (LNE).
Dry eye is common, affecting millions of Americans each year. There are many things you can do to help alleviate the issue and keep your eyes healthy!
What are the types of dry eye?
Aqueous tear-deficient dry eye is a disorder in which the lacrimal glands fail to produce enough of the watery component of tears to maintain a healthy eye surface.
Evaporative dry eye may result from inflammation of the meibomian glands, also located in the eyelids. These glands make the lipid or oily part of tears that slows evaporation and keeps the tears stable. With this form of dry eye, you may have excessive tears — but they are not the correct consistency.
Symptoms:
- Scratchy eyes (like there is something in your eye)
- Burning or stinging feelings
- Red eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurry vision
Inflammation of the surface of the eye may occur along with dry eye. If left untreated, this condition can lead to pain, ulcers, or scars on the cornea, and some loss of vision. However, permanent loss of vision from dry eye is uncommon.
Risk Factors:
- Being female
- Being over age 50
- Poor diet
- Autoimmune diseases
- Wearing contact lenses
Treatment
Treatments for dry eye vary, depending on the underlying reasons and type of dry eye you have. It is vital to talk with your doctor about your options and communicate with them anything you have tried or want to try.
Certain lifestyle changes can help prevent dry eye:
- Avoid smoke, wind and air conditioning directly on the eyes.
- Limit screen time and take eye breaks. Use the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
- Use a humidifier in places where you spend most of your day — the office, in front of your computer, etc.
- Drink more water.
- Sleep more; 7 – 8 hours a night!
If you already have dry eye, the following treatments are available:
- Over the counter eye drops (artificial tears) are the most common treatment for mild dry eye. This is not the tears to “get the red out,” which are not helpful for dry eye and may exacerbate symptoms.
- Prescription medicines are available for severe cases of dry eye.
- For those with excessive, watery tears, warm compresses can be helpful. These compresses help open the clogged glands that contain the oils your tears need. Many warm compress pads are available online.
- Tear duct plugs may be necessary if tears drain too quickly. “Punctal plugs” can be inserted by your ophthalmologist.
- In rare, severe cases, there are surgeries available. Often, this will have to do with your eyelids needing to be corrected.