Dry Eye Syndrome
 
Dry eye syndrome is one of the most common problems treated by eye doctors.  Over
ten million Americans suffer from dry eyes.  In dry eye syndrome, the eye doesn't produce enough tears or the tears have a chemical composition that causes them to evaporate too quickly. The patient may experience pain from eye irritation and a sandy or gritty sensation.

Most cases result from normal aging of the glands in the eye, but dry eye can occur at any age. It is estimated that nearly 75% of people over age 65 will experience dry eye syndrome. It occurs in both men and women, although it is most common in women who are pregnant or post-menopausal. About 3 million Americans have dry eye as a result of Sjögren's syndrome and 90% of these patients are women. People suffering from allergies and those wearing contact lenses also have greater risk of developing dry eye.

Dry-Eye Symptoms

  • Itching
  • Burning
  • Irritation
  • Redness
  • Blurred vision that improves with blinking
  • Discomfort after reading, watching TV or working on a computer
  • Excessive tearing

Excessive tearing may seem to be an unusual symptom for dry-eye syndrome. But these irritant tears, produced as a reflex reaction to the syndrome, contain more water than normal tears, which have a balance of water, fat and mucus. The excess tears just run off the eyes and cannot lubricate them as healthy tears do.

What Causes Dry Eyes?

In many cases, dry eye results from disorders of the various glands which work together to produce tears. Tears bathe the eye, washing out dust and debris and keeping the eye moist. They also contain enzymes that neutralize the microorganisms that colonize the eye. The water layer of tears is produced in the lacrimal gland, located under the upper eyelid.  This layer is made of 98 percent water along with small amounts of salt, proteins and other compounds.  Several smaller glands in the lids make the oil and mucus layers. 

With each blink, the eyelids spread the tears over your eye. Excess tears flow into two tiny drainage ducts in the corner of the eye by your nose. These ducts lead to tiny canals that connect to the nasal passage. This connection between the tear ducts and the nasal passage is the reason your nose runs when you cry.

Medication - Common medication such as decongestants, antihistamines, diuretics, beta-blockers, sleeping pills, anti-depressants, pain relievers and alcohol can cause decreases in tear secretion. Frequent use of preserved eye drops or artificial tears can also aggravate dry eye conditions.

Contact Lenses - Contact lens wearers sometimes suffer from dry eyes because contact lenses can absorb your tear film and promote protein build up on the surface of the lenses.

Computer Use - Computer users tend to blink much less frequently (about 7 times per minute vs. a normal rate of around 22/minute).  This leads to increased evaporation along with the fatigue and eye strain associated with staring at a computer monitor.  Ideally, computer users should take short breaks about every 20 minutes.

Environment - Just about everywhere you turn, you encounter something that can dry out your eyes. These include sunny, windy, dry conditions; heaters, dehumidifiers, fans
or air conditioners, high altitudes; smoke or air pollution; sand, dust or airborne pollen. The list is virtually endless

Treatment for Dry Eyes

Dry eye syndrome is an ongoing condition that cannot be cured, but the accompanying dryness, scratching and burning can be managed. Your eyecare practitioner may prescribe artificial tears or lubricating eyedrops that may alleviate the dry, scratchy feeling. It is best to avoid frequent use of products that whiten the eyes – they generally have inadequate moisturizing qualities and their whitening agents can actually make a dry eye problem worse.

In cases of persistent Dry Eye symptoms, permanent but reversible closure of the tear duct or "punctal occlusion", may be the best solution. Punctal occlusion acts very much like a stopper in a sink. When the punctal opening is closed, tears stay on the eye longer.
The plugs can be inserted painlessly in the eye doctor's office and are normally not felt once inserted.

Studies have found that supplements containing certain essential fatty acids can help decrease dry eye symptoms. Also, a special type of drop containing cyclosporine is now available that can help your eyes to increase tear production.

If medications are the cause of dry eyes, discontinuing the drug generally resolves the problem. In this case, the benefits of the drug must be weighed against the side effect
of dry eyes. Switching to a different type of medication sometimes alleviates the dry eye symptoms. Treating any underlying eyelid disease helps as well. This may call for antibiotic or steroid drops plus frequent eyelid scrubs with an antibacterial shampoo.

While a dry eye is generally viewed as an irritant only, severe dry-eye cases,
if left untreated, can lead to scarring or even ulceration of the cornea and loss
of vision. If you have persistently dry eyes, it is wise to seek the advice of
your eye doctor.
 

Sources:   Back to Top
1. Women's Health    
2. AllAboutVision.com    
3. St. Luke's Eye Institute