The tears your eyes produce are necessary for overall eye health and clear vision. Dry eye means that your eyes do not produce enough tears or that you produce tears which do not have the proper chemical composition. Often, dry eye is part of the natural aging process. It can also be caused by blinking or eyelid problems, medications like antihistamines, oral contraceptives and antidepressants, a dry climate, wind and dust, general health problems like arthritis or Sjogren's syndrome and chemical or thermal burns to your eyes.

If you have dry eye, your symptoms may include irritated, scratchy, dry, uncomfortable or red eyes, a burning sensation or feeling of something foreign in your eyes and blurred vision. Excessive dry eyes may damage eye tissue, scar your cornea (the front covering of your eyes) and impair vision and make contact lens wear difficult.

If you have symptoms of dry eye, see your optometrist for a comprehensive examination. Dry eye cannot be cured, but your optometrist can prescribe treatment so your eyes remain healthy and your vision is unaffected. Some treatments that your optometrist might prescribe include blinking more frequently, increasing humidity at home or work, using artificial tears and using a moisturizing ointment, especially at bedtime. In some cases, small plugs are inserted in the corner of the eyes to slow tear drainage. Sometimes, surgical closure of the drainage ducts may be recommended. In the recent years, studies have shown that diet including omega-3 fatty acid also reduces dry eye syndrome.

CAUSES OF DRY EYES

Millions of people are affected with dry eyes. Dry Eye Syndrome may occur in all ages. . This is a condition in which the tear glands of the upper and lower lids do not work properly. Either not enough tears are produced, or the tear ducts drain away too much tears off the surface of the eye.

There are actually three distinct layers in our tears. The oily and mucous layers lubricate the eye, and the watery layer is produced in response to an irritation, injury, or emotion. Sometimes, the lack of oily or mucous lubricating layers is irritating enough to cause an over-production of the watery layer. In this case, you have a “wet dry eye”. Left untreated your symptoms will probably get worse, and possibly cause a decrease in your visual acuity.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

Treatments vary with the intensity of the problem. It is important that you follow your doctor’s recommendation. Some of the common treatment options are: