Dry Eye
What is dry eye?
Some people do not produce enough tears to keep the eye comfortable. This is known as dry eye.
Tears are produced by two different methods. One method produces tears at a slow, steady rate and is responsible for normal eye lubrication. The other method produces large quantities of tears in response to eye irritation or emotions.
Tears that lubricate are constantly produced by a healthy eye. Excessive tears occur when the eye is irritated by a foreign body or when a person cries.
What are the symptoms of dry eye?
The usual symptoms include:
· Stinging or burning eyes
· Scratchiness
· Stringy mucus in or around the eyes
· Eye irritation from smoke or wind
· Excess tearing
· Difficulty wearing contact lenses
Excess tearing from dry eye sounds illogical, but if the tears responsible for maintenance lubrication do not keep the eye wet enough, the eye becomes irritated. When the eye is irritated, the lacrimal gland produces a large volume of tears which overwhelms the tear drainage system. These excess tears then overflow from your eye.
What is the tear film?
A film of tears, spread over the eye by a blink, makes the surface of the eye smooth and clear. Without our tear film, good vision would not be possible.
The tear film consists of three layers:
· An oily layer
· A watery layer
· A layer of mucus
The oily layer, produced by the meibomian glands, forms he outermost surface of the tear film. Its main purpose is to smooth the tear surface and reduce evaporation of tears. The middle watery layer makes up most of what we ordinarily think of as tears. This layer, produced by the lacrimal gland, cleanses the eye and washes away foreign particles or irritants. The inner layer consists of mucus produced by the conjunctiva. Mucus allows the watery layer to spread evenly over the surface of the eye and helps the eye remain wet. Without mucus, tears would not adhere to the eye.
What causes dry eye?
Tear production normally decreases as we age. Although dry eye can occur in both men and women at any age, women are most often affected. This is especially true after menopause.
Dry eye can also be associated with arthritis and accompanied by a dry mouth. People with dry eyes, dry mouth and arthritis are said to have Sjogren’s syndrome.
A wide variety of common medications, prescriptions and over the counter products can cause dry eye by reducing tear secretion. Be sure to tell your ophthalmologist the names of all the medications you are taking, especially if you are using:
- Diuretics
-
Betablockers - Antihistamines
- Sleeping pills
- Medications for nerves
- Pain relievers
Since these medications are often necessary, the dry eye condition may have to be tolerated or treated with artificial tears.
People with dry eye are often more prone to the toxic side effects of eye medications, including artificial tears. For example, the preservatives in certain eye drops and artificial tear preparations can irritate the eye. Special preservative-free artificial tears may be required.
How is dry eye diagnosed?
An ophthalmologist (medical eye doctor) is usually able to diagnose dry eye by examining the eyes. Sometimes tests that measure tear production may be necessary. One test, called the Schirmer
How is dry eye treated?
Adding tears
Eye drops called artificial tears are similar to your own tears. They lubricate the eyes and help maintain moisture. Artificial tears are available without a prescription. There are many brands on the market, so you may want to try several to find the one you like best.
Preservative-free eye drops are available if you are sensitive to the preservative in artificial tears. If you need to use artificial tears more than every two hours, preservative-free brands may be better for you. Solid artificial tear inserts that are placed inside the lower lid on a daily basis and gradually release lubricants may be beneficial to some people.
You can use the tears as often as
Conserving the tears
Conserving your eyes’ own tears is another approach to keeping the eyes moist.
Tears drain out of the eye through a small channel into the nose (that is why your nose runs when you cry). Your ophthalmologist may close these channels either temporarily or permanently. The closure conserves your own tears and makes artificial tears last longer.