Dry Eye

Some people do not produce enough tears to keep the eye comfortable.  This is known as dry eye. 

There are two kinds of tears: those that lubricate the eye and those that are produced in response to an irritation or emotion. 

 A healthy eye will constantly produce lubricating tears.  Excessive tears occur when the eye is irritated or when a person cries. 

What are the symptoms of Dry Eye? 

Common symptoms are:

• Stinging or burning eyes
• Scratchiness
• Stringy mucous in or around the eyes
• Eye irritation from smoke or wind
• Excess tearing**
• Difficulty wearing contact lenses 

**Excess tearing sounds illogical, but your tears must have the right balance of oil, water, and mucus to protect your eyes. Without this balance, your eye produces too many tears because it is dry and irritated. 

What causes Dry Eye?

Tear production normally decreases as we age. Women are more susceptible to dry eye, especially after menopause. 

Dry eye can also be associated with arthritis and accompanied with a dry mouth as well. This is known as Sjorgren's Syndrome.

Medications (especially diuretics, Betablockers, antihistamines, sleeping pills, anti-anxiety, and pain relievers) can reduce tear secretion and cause dry eye.  If the medication is necessary, the dry eye condition will have to be tolerated or treated with "artificial tears".  

How are Dry Eyes diagnosed?

An ophthalmologist can diagnose Dry Eyes by examining the eyes or by conducting a test which measures tear production.  A widely used test, the Schirmer tear test, involves placing filter-paper strips under the lower eyelid to measure the rate of tear production under various conditions.   

Treatment 

Tear Replacement

Replacing the natural tears with artificial tears is the basis of treatment.  Artificial tears are available without a prescriptions and are used as eye drops to lubricate the eyes and replace the missing moisture.  There are many different brands available at the drug store.

Tear Conservation

 Conserving the naturally produced tears is another approach to keeping the eyes moist.  After bathing the eye's surface, tears enter a small opening in each lid, the punctum, and drain through as small canal, the canaliculus, into the lacrimal sac and down the naso-lacrimal duct into the nose.   These channels may be closed temporarily or permanently by your ophthalmologist.  The closure creates a reservoir of tears, which allows the eyes to stay moist for longer periods of times. 

Other Methods

To prevent evaporation of tears use a humidifier to add moisture to dry air.  Wrap-around sunglasses (which are illegal to wear while driving in some states) may decrease evaporation of eye moisture caused by wind. 

Anything that adds to dryness such as a warm room, hair dryers, and/or wind will make a person with dry eyes more uncomfortable.  Smoking is especially bothersome.

"Scratchy Eyes" can be treated by using a small amount of ointment at bedtime.

Who can treat Dry Eyes?

A person suffering from dry eyes may only need over-the-counter artificial tears, but since extreme dryness can cause serious damage to the eye, an examination and diagnosis by your ophthalmologist is suggested.