Dry Eye – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Dry eye produces discomfort and reduces vision· Side effects of using certain medications such
when the tear film becomes chronically table oras antihistamines and birth control pills.
unavailable thereby leading to dryness of the· An eye injury or other problem with your eyes
conjunctiva and cornea. Sometimes, a person withor eyelids (like a drooping eyelid or bulging eyes ).
a dry eye will have excess tears running down· Diseases that affect the ability to make tears,
the cheeks, which may seem confusing. Peoplesuch as Sjogren's syndrome , rheumatoid arthritis
who have Chronic Dry Eyes are diagnosed by aand collagen vascular diseases.
doctor and usually have a decrease in the amount· Smoking or second-hand smoke exposure.
of tear production. Many people also find their· A very dry environment - try using a
eyes become irritated when reading or workinghumidifier.
on a computer. Stopping periodically to rest and· Cold or allergy medicines.
blink keeps the eyes more comfortable InSymptoms of Dry Eyes
addition, because these emergency tears tend toSome common Symptoms of Dry Eyes :
arrive too late, the eye needs to regenerate and· Itching .
treatment is necessary.· Discomfort in the eyes.
Dry eyes are caused by a lack of tears. A sad· Stringy mucus in or around your eyes.
movie or a wedding can make your tears flow.· Burning.
But tears aren't produced only on those occasions.· Itchiness.
It is usually caused by a problem with the quality· Irritation.
of the tear film that lubricates the eyes. Tears· Redness.
are a combination of water, for moisture; oils, for· Sensitivity to light .
lubrication; mucus, for even spreading; and· Difficulty wearing contact lenses.
antibodies and special proteins, for resistance to· Increased eye irritation from smoke or wind.
infection. People with dry eyes often feelTreatment of Dry Eyes
discomfort in a variety of forms. SometimesHere is the list of the methods for treating Dry
even if the eyes are dry they may feel asEyes :
though they 'water'; this is due to poorly· Other medications, including topical steroids,
spreading tears.may also be beneficial in some cases.
When your eyes become irritated by dust or are· Anti-inflammatory medications, such as
bothered by wind, smoke or fumes, extra tearssteroids, antimetabolites and cyclosporine A, as
form to help wash away the foreign material. Inwell as tetracyclines and hormones, are used to
response, the eye is flooded with tears to try totreat more severe forms of dry eye surgical
compensate for the underlying dryness. However,techniques used to preserve tears include punctal
these tears are mostly water and do not havecautery, punctal plugs, and tarsorrhaphy
the lubricating qualities or the rich composition of· Excessive air movement dries out your eyes
normal tears. The eye depends on the flow ofavoid having excessive air movement by
tears to provide constant moisture and lubricationdecreasing the speed of ceiling fans and/or
to maintain vision and comfort. Dry eyeoscillating fans.
syndrome is a chronic lack of sufficient lubrication· If you notice your eyes are dry mainly while
and moisture in the eye.you are reading or watching TV, taking frequent
Causes of Dry Eyesbreaks to allow your eyes to rest and become
The common Causes of Dry Eyes :moist and comfortable again is helpful.