| The term "dry eye" refers to a wide spectrum of | | | | massages and sometimes antibiotics |
| ocular conditions. The most common symptoms | | | | - Aqueous Deficient - This tear layer is primarily |
| are dry, red, gritty, and even watery eyes. It | | | | water. It may be deficient in an autoimmune |
| often feels as though there is something foreign | | | | syndrome called Sjogren's syndrome and a |
| on your eye. Every time we blink, tear glands | | | | non-immune based condition, which is often |
| within the eyelid secrete tears. These tears | | | | related to hormonal levels. Some men and many |
| lubricate the eye and help prevent infection. A | | | | women over age 45 have this problem. Some |
| healthy tear film consists primarily of a delicate | | | | medications can also affect this layer. |
| balance of two layers. A thin outer oily layer | | | | - Inflammatory - Recent research indicates |
| reduces evaporation of the tears. Below the outer | | | | inflammation of the tear gland results in less tears |
| oily layer is a watery layer called the aqueous | | | | being produced. This is thought to be a frequent |
| layer, which makes up 98% of the tear film. It | | | | cause of dry eye. |
| helps rinse and clean the front surface of the eye. | | | | The three basic treatments for dry eye: |
| These normal tears nourish and refresh the eyes. | | | | - Lubricating drops are the traditional treatment |
| When the normal tear film breaks down, the eye | | | | for dry eyes. They help but relief does not last |
| begins to dry out. When that happens our eyes | | | | long and sometimes there are reactions to the |
| begin to burn and often the tear gland releases | | | | preservatives in the drops. |
| watery tears. These tears normally are only | | | | - Punctal plugs are very small plugs, which are |
| released to rinse out a foreign body or during | | | | placed in the tear drainage duct. They prevent |
| emotional crying. They cause inflammation and | | | | tears from draining away, so the eye is not as |
| irritate the eyes. That's why dry eyes leads to | | | | dry. This is a painless procedure, which takes only |
| red, burning,irritated eyes just like crying does. | | | | a few minutes and produces substantial |
| The four basic causes for dry eye: | | | | improvement for many people with dry eyes. |
| - Anatomical - In this case the tear drainage | | | | - An anti-inflammatory medication (Restasis ©) |
| system is too efficient and the normal tears are | | | | is prescribed which actively suppresses the |
| drained away too rapidly. | | | | inflammatory response rather than passively |
| - Oil Deficient - There are hundreds of oil glands | | | | lubricating the ocular surface. |
| within the eyelids. When they become deficient | | | | If you have red, burning, irritated, tearing eyes |
| the oily tear layer is not adequate and the normal | | | | see your eye doctor. With the new treatments |
| tears rapidly evaporate away resulting in a dry | | | | available these days, why put up with the |
| eye. It is treated with eyelid scrubs, eyelid | | | | irritation? |