Dry Eye

Tears have a critical and essential role in the health of the eye, which is continuous eye lubrication. Whereas lubricating the eye is extremely important for its health and work. Dry eye occurs when the eye doesn’t get lubricated enough, and that badly impacts it.

Dry eye

This condition occurs when there isn’t enough production of the tears or when these tears don’t work properly for some reason. This condition is chronic most of the time, and people get more affected with aging (older than 40 years old), especially females.

Causes of dry eye

It occurs as a result of two main causes:

Decreased tear production

The reasons for it are:

• Aging.
• Other health conditions, such as Sjogren's syndrome (an autoimmune disease that causes dry eyes, mouth, and mucus membranes), sensitive eyes, inflammations in the eyes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus (an immune disease that causes inflammations in the body), diabetes, and thyroid disorders.
• After eye surgeries, such as LASIK.
• Some medications, such as decongestants, depression and anxiety drugs, hormonal therapy, some hypertension drugs like diuretics and beta blockers, acne drugs, Parkinson’s drugs, and heartburn drugs.

Problems in the tears themselves

Tears are composed of three layers: watery, oily, and mucous layers. The oily layer works on preventing the quick drying of the watery layer, and the mucous layer works on keeping the tears adhered to the surface of the eye. Therefore, any defect in these layers would affect the tears, and, in turn, cause dry eye. The causes of this defect are:

• Problems and inflammation in the eyelid.
• Eye sensitivity.
• Long staring while reading, working on the computer, watching TV, and using mobile phones, in addition to not blinking enough.
• Preservative substances that are in the eye drops.
• Vitamin A deficiency.
• Smoking
• Environmental factors, such as dry air, wind, and low humidity.
• Fatigue that is resulted from a lack of sleep.

Dry eye symptoms

• Feeling of burning and stinging in the eyes.
• Feeling that there is something in the eye.
• Red eyes.
• Blurred vision.
• Excessive tearing.
• Light sensitivity.
• Feeling of heaviness in the eyelids.
• Accumulation of mucus around the eyes.
• Feeling pain while wearing contact lenses.

Dry eye complications

This condition could lead to bad complications when left untreated, like eye infections, destruction of the surface of the eye, and a low quality of life.

Dry eye diagnosis

The doctor takes the family history of the patient into account in addition to performing a complete eye examination. The doctor also does other tests to examine the tears and their secretion.

Dry eye treatment

It depends on the patient’s condition:

• In the majority of cases, dry eye is managed with artificial tears, which can be used continuously or when needed.
• In some cases, specific eye drops are prescribed to increase the secretion of tears.
• Managing other health conditions that cause dry eye if they exist.
• In advanced cases, surgery might be applied to preserve the tears in cases of excessive tearing.

Dry eye prevention

• Protecting the eyes from wind, especially dry air, and wearing sunglasses when going out.
• Increasing the humidity of the air in closed places if it’s dry.
• Remember to blink continuously and avoid long stares.
• The eyes should be rested during long work.
• Avoid smoking and follow a healthy lifestyle.
• Use artificial tears continuously if your work requires long stares at electronic screens.