Dry Eyes

Dry Eyes
"Dry eyes" is a condition that occurs when tears do not meet the moisture requirement of the eyes, which finally results in excessive dryness in the eyes. Technically dry eyes are termed as "xeropthalmia," "Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS)" or "dry eyes syndrome."
We shall discuss this health complication in detail in the upcoming content.
Types of Dry Eyes
1) Aqueous tear-deficient dry eye- The lacrimal glands do not produce an adequate watery component of tears to lubricate the eye surface.
2) Evaporative dry eye- The meibomian glands are inflamed due to which the rate of evaporation of tears is increased
Symptoms associated with Dry Eyes
Apart from feeling a weird dryness in and around the eyes, the person will also suffer from the following symptoms
Sensing that something is always stuck in your eyes
Redness in eyes
Burning and itching of eyes
Eyes feel tired and tensed
Accumulation of mucus in and around eyes
Blurry vision and difficulty in focusing
Causes of Dry Eyes
The tear film comprises three layers: the outer oily layer, the watery middle layer, and the inner mucus layer; abnormality in these three layers gives rise to dry eyes. There are several underlying reasons associated with dry eye syndrome. We explain them below:
Drying of eyes and decreased tear production is a side effect of aging, especially after 50 and it's also common in menopausal women
It can happen when the oil glands (meibomian glands) of the eyes are clogged, or the lacrimal glands (tears) do not produce sufficient tear
"Dry eyes" is one of the side effects of vitamin A deficiency, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, thyroid problems, etc.
Allergies and inflammation in cornea and conjunctiva
Medications used during hormone replacement therapy, for treating high blood pressure, antidepressants, antihistamines, acne, etc. also cause dry eyes
Eye surgeries like LASIK and prolonged use of contact lens
Prolonged exposure to smoke, wind, pollutants, dry environment and computer
Diagnosis of Dry Eyes
Your eye doctor will examine your eyes by applying various techniques and procedures. During this process, he/she will also ask questions regarding your medical history.
Schirmer test- This test is done to measure the volume of tears produced by your eyes by placing blotting strips under the lower eyelids for 5 minutes. The quantity of tears soaked by strip is then measured.
Dry eyes are also diagnosed with special dye drops used on the eyes, which produce various staining patterns on the cornea. These stains form the measure for determining the time taken for the tears to evaporate.
Treatment of Dry Eyes
Wide range of treatment options are there for dry eyes which depend entirely on the underlying cause:
Medicines like prescription eye drops are advised to keep the eyes moist and protect from inflammation. Secondly, antibiotics are used to treat eyelid and corneal abnormalities. Eye inserts or artificial tears also inserted by the doctor to lubricate the eyes. Cyclosporine is widely used to treat dry eyes.
Several "tear conservation" strategies are used like – permanent or temporary blocking of tear channels with punctual plugs or performing a heat treatment called thermal cautery. Unblocking the oil glands by applying thermal pulsation is also done by ophthalmologists.
If dry eyes are a side effect of various other complications like Sjogren's syndrome or rheumatoid arthritis, your eye doctor might refer you to specialty doctors.
What to Expect?
Dry eye conditions are treatable over time. There are no as such pre preparations needed before the check-up. However, if you have severe abnormalities in eyelids, then surgery may be suggested by your doctor.
Apart from getting the treatments done, make sure your diet is rich in foods containing vitamin E and omega 3-fatty acids. Also, wash your eyes frequently with clean and cold water for the health of your eyes.