Dry eyes occur when the eye’s natural lubrication is insufficient or evaporates too quickly. At Eye Associates, we diagnose the underlying cause and create a targeted treatment plan to restore comfort and protect your vision.
Dry eye is a condition characterised by the lack of adequate lubrication for the eyes.Tears play an important role in lubricating and nourishing the outer surface (cornea) of the eye. Tears are composed of water, fatty oils and mucus that keep the eye surface smooth and clear, wash away foreign matter, as well as prevent infection. Affected quality and quantity of the tears may lead to dry eyes.
Symptoms
The symptoms of dry eye can be seen in both eyes and may include red eyes, burning and irritation of eyes, eye fatigue, and sensitivity of eye to light. Patients with dry eye may face difficulty in wearing contact lenses and may have blurred vision.
Causes
The common causes responsible for the development of dry eye are:
- Poor quality of tears influenced by the composition of oil, water, and mucus in tears
- Insufficient tear production after age 50, in postmenopausal woman, in association with medical conditions (rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, thyroid disorders and vitamin A deficiency), laser eye surgery and damage of tear gland
- Less blinking of the eyelid, as blinking helps in spreading of the tears
- Certain medications such as hypertensive drugs, antihistamines, hormone replacement therapy and antidepressants
- Other causes include exposure to dry wind or continuous working on computer or reading for long time without blinking
Complications
Diagnosis
Treatment options
Preventive measures
Some of the basic instructions to reduce symptoms of dry eyes include:
- Blink frequently
- Maintain adequate humidity in the air at home or workplace
- Wear sunglasses to prevent direct exposure to sun and dry wind
- Take nutritional supplements rich in essential fatty acids
- Drink plenty of water daily
