Taking a closer look at dry eye condition

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 7: Those who experience dryness in their eyes will tell you that it is an annoying and uncomfortable problem to have. People with dry eyes may experience irritation or a burning sensation, a feeling of something in their eyes, excess watering, and even blurred vision. Advanced dry eyes may even damage the front surface of the eye and impair vision.

Dry eye is a condition in which there are insufficient tears to lubricate and nourish the eyeball. Tears are necessary for maintaining the health of the front surface of the eye and for providing clear vision. People with dry eyes either do not produce enough tears or have a poor quality of tears. A tear contains oil, water and mucus and an imbalance of any of these can cause dry eye symptoms.

Dry eye is a common and often chronic problem, particularly in older adults. The majority of people over age 65 experience some symptoms of dry eyes. In addition, women are more likely to develop dry eyes due to hormonal changes caused by pregnancy, the use of oral contraceptives and menopause.

Certain medicines, including antihistamines, decongestants, blood pressure medications and antidepressants can reduce the amount of tears we produce. Also, certain medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and thyroid problems can cause symptoms of dry eyes. Environmental factors, such as smoke and wind, can also cause dry eyes. You may notice symptoms when you light a fire in your fireplace this winter or while you’re riding your motor bike. In addition, failure to blink regularly can contribute to drying of the eyes.

Long term use of contact lenses can be a factor in the development of dry eyes, and refractive eye surgeries, such as LASIK, can cause decreased tear production.

If you are noticing symptoms of dry eye, talk to your ophthalmologist or optometrist at your next eye examination about treatment options to help to restore or maintain the normal amount of tears in the eye. One of the primary approaches used to manage and treat mild cases of dry eyes is adding tears with over-the-counter artificial tear solutions. These can be used as often as needed to supplement natural tear production. Preservative-free artificial tear solutions are recommended because they contain fewer additives that could further irritate the eyes. However, some people may have persistent dry eyes that don’t respond to artificial tears alone. Additional steps need to be taken to treat their dry eyes. Prescription eye drops that help to increase production of tears can be prescribed by your ophthalmologist, as well as over the counter omega-3 fatty acid nutritional supplements.

Another approach to reducing the symptoms of dry eyes is to keep natural tears in the eyes longer. This can be done by blocking the tear ducts through which the tears normally drain. The tear ducts can be blocked with tiny silicone or gel-like plugs that can be removed, if needed. A surgical procedure to permanently close tear ducts can also be used.

You can also help reduce symptoms of dry eyes by blinking regularly when reading or staring at a computer screen for long periods of time and wearing sunglasses outdoors, particularly those with a wrap-around frame design, to reduce exposure to drying winds and sun. Also, avoid becoming dehydrated by drinking plenty of water each day.

Stephanie Simons is the head pharmacist at Lindo’s Pharmacy in Devonshire.  For helpful information, visit Lindo’s at www.lindos.bm.