These are the best ways to treat Dry Eye Syndrome: See the options

Dry eye syndrome is a disease that can cause a lot of discomfort. Basically, it consists of the inability to generate enough tears to properly lubricate the eyes.

Although it is true that it can be a serious problem for anyone, today it is possible to avoid it with certain preventive mechanisms and treatments. There are also different solutions that are easy to find and already available on the Internet. There are many options, in this article we will explore details of those options.

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Causes and Risk Factors

Dry eyes can occur when tear production and drainage are not balanced. People with dry eyes do not produce enough tears or their tears are of poor quality (1):

- Inadequate amount of tears

Tears are produced by various glands in and around the eyelids. Production tends to decline with age, with various medical conditions, or as a side effect of certain medications. Environmental conditions, such as wind and dry climates, can also decrease tear volume due to increased tear evaporation. When the normal amount of tear production decreases or tears evaporate too quickly from the eyes, dry eye symptoms can develop.

- Bad quality of tears

Tears are made up of three layers: oil, water, and mucus. A smooth oil layer helps prevent evaporation of the water layer, while the mucin layer spreads tears evenly over the surface of the eye. If the tears evaporate too quickly or do not spread evenly over the cornea due to deficiencies in any of the three tear layers, dry eye symptoms can develop.

Symptoms

Symptoms of dry eye and dry eye syndrome are varied and include (2):

-Burning feeling

-Itchy eyes

-Sensation of pain

-Heavy eyes

-Tired eyes

-Eye pain

-Feeling of dryness

-Red eyes

-Photophobia (sensitivity to light)

-Blurry vision

-Sensation of having something in the eye (foreign body sensation)

Treatments

For most people with occasional or mild dry eye symptoms, regular use of over-the-counter eye drops (artificial tears) is sufficient. If the symptoms are persistent and more severe, there are other options. It all depends on the cause of your dry eyes.

- Treat the underlying cause of Dry Eyes

In some cases, treating an underlying health problem can help clear up the signs and symptoms of dry eyes. For example, if a drug is causing dry eyes, your doctor may recommend a different drug that doesn't cause that side effect.

If you have an eyelid condition, such as the eyelids turned out (ectropion), the doctor may refer the patient to an eye surgeon who specializes in plastic surgery of the eyelids (oculoplastic surgeon).

- Medicine

Prescription medications used to treat dry eyes include:

-Medicines to reduce inflammation of the eyelids. Inflammation along the edge of the eyelids can prevent the sebaceous glands from secreting oil into tears. Your doctor may recommend antibiotics to reduce inflammation.

-Eye drops to control inflammation of the cornea. Inflammation on the surface of the eyes (cornea) can be controlled with prescription eye drops that contain immunosuppressive medications or corticosteroids.

-Eye inserts that work like artificial tears. If you have moderate to severe dry eye symptoms and artificial tears do not help, another option may be a small eye insert that looks like a transparent grain of rice. The insert slowly dissolves, releasing a substance that is used in drops to lubricate the eye.

-Tear stimulating drugs. Drugs called cholinergics help increase tear production. These medications are available in the form of pills, gel, or eye drops.

-Eye drops made with your own blood. These are called autologous blood serum drops. They may be an option if you have severe dry eye symptoms that do not respond to any other treatment.

Prevention

Although it is true that it is a complicated issue, it is possible to prevent the evil that was previously discussed.

-Remember to blink regularly when reading or looking at a computer screen for long periods of time.

-Increase the humidity of the air at work and at home.

-Wear sunglasses outdoors, particularly those with wrap-around frames, to reduce exposure to dry winds and the sun.

-Nutritional supplements that contain essential fatty acids can help reduce dry eye symptoms in some people. You need to ask your doctor if taking dietary supplements could help with dry eye problems.

-Avoid getting dehydrated by drinking lots of water (8 to 10 glasses) every day.

-Avoid getting air into your eyes by directing car heaters away from your face.

-Avoid drier than normal environments, such as deserts, airplanes and places at high altitudes.

Although it is true that it is a complicated issue, dry eyes can become history by taking the right steps, both in medication and in prevention.

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