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What is Dry Eye Syndrome and How Do You Treat It?

MAY, 2019

Dry Eye Syndrome (also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca) is a very common eye condition across the world. It’s also one of the main reasons why people visit an eye surgeon such as Gurjeet Jutley.
It happens when your tear glands can’t produce enough tears, the tears evaporate too quickly, or if the balance of oil, water and mucus in the tears isn’t quite right. This results in those tell-tale dry, sore, itchy and inflamed eyes.
In this short article, Gurjeet will explain more about what dry eye syndrome is, the most common causes, and how you can go about treating it.
What are the symptoms of Dry Eye Syndrome?
There are a wide variety of symptoms associated with Dry Eye Syndrome. These can include:
● A burning sensation
● Gritty feeling in the eyes
● Feeling like something is in your eyes (known as foreign body sensation)
● Itchy eyes
● Sore eyes
● Red and inflamed eyes
● Sensation of dryness
● Fatigued eyes
● Sensitivity to light
● Blurred vision
● Eyes that are more watery than normal
It’s important to note that the severity of your symptoms doesn’t always indicate the full extent of the problem. That’s why you should always visit your eye doctor for an eye examination and a proper diagnosis.
What causes Dry Eye Symptoms?
There are many factors which can cause or worsen dry eye syndrome. These include:
● An incomplete closure of the eyelids when blinking or sleeping
● A problem with your tear glands
● Being over 50 years old
● Being a postmenopausal woman
● Wearing contact lenses
● Looking at a smartphone or a computer screen for long periods of time without a break
● Spending time in air-conditioned or heated environments
● Travelling by plane frequently
● Spending time in windy, cold, dry or dusty environments
● Smoking or drinking alcohol
● Taking certain medications such as blood pressure drugs or antidepressants
● Suffering from diabetes, lupus, thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis or Sjogren’s syndrome.
How do you treat dry eye syndrome?
Once your eye doctor has diagnosed the root cause of your problem, they can recommend over-the-counter and prescription medications that can help. In more serious cases, a surgical procedure may be recommended. These can resolve the cause of the problem and ease any discomfort.
Possible treatments include:
Artificial tears
These are eye drops which are similar to your own tears. They can be bought over-the-counter without a prescription and used as often as needed.
Medicated eye drops
Medicated eye drops can help your eyes produce more natural tears to ease your symptoms.
Surgery to block your tear ducts
Your eye doctor might recommend blocking your tear ducts with tiny silicone or gel plugs. These help your natural tears stay in your eyes for longer and can be removed at a later date. In severe cases, your eye doctor might recommend surgery to close your tear ducts permanently.
Avoiding the triggers for dry eyes
There are also many easy ways you can relieve and prevent dry eye syndrome from occurring. We recommend that you:
● Wear glasses for a short time to give your eyes a break from contact lenses
● Avoid dry, windy, cold or dusty environments
● Reduce your alcohol consumption and quitting smoking
● Check with your GP to see if you can switch your medication
● Use warm compresses on the eyes for some natural relief
● Give your eyes a break from the computer or smartphone from time to time
Dry Eye Syndrome is a very common problem around the world and luckily, it’s usually very straightforward to treat. Avoid the common triggers for dry eyes and ask your eye doctor for help if you continue to suffer.
Gurjeet Jutley is a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon based at Oxford University Hospital. Gurjeet has sub-speciality interest in complex cataract surgery and glaucoma.For more advice, please get in touch with Gurjeet Jutley on 07568 512719.
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