Dry Eye
What is dry eye?
Normally your eyes are kept moist by the tears that bathe the surface. The action of blinking spreads the tears across the surface of your eyes. Tears contain important substances that lubricate the eyes, prevent infection and slow down evaporation of the tears.
Dry eye can occur for several reasons - either because you do not make enough tears or because your tears evaporate too quickly. Symptoms can include irritation, gritty burning, inflamed eyes, resulting in ocular surface damage.
Dry eye is one of the most common of all eye conditions. Although it particularly affects older people, it can occur at any age. It is also more common in women.
What are the symptoms of dry eye?
Stinging, burning or a gritty feeling in your eyes are common symptoms. Your eyes may feel slightly red, feel heavy and become sensitive to bright light. Stringy mucus may collect on the lids. Symptoms may be less when you first wake up, but get worse as the day goes on.
Symptoms can be triggered by various situations. These include:
- Activities that make you blink less often, eg reading, driving, working at a computer monitor or watching television.
- Exposure to fumes, dust and cigarette smoke which can be particularly aggravating.
- Air-conditioning which can produce a dry atmosphere.
Fortunately, dry eye is unlikely to affect your sight. However, if your eyes are very dry, for example if you do not even produce tears in emotional situations or as a reaction to peeling onions, the symptoms may be intolerable.
What causes dry eye?
The most common cause of dry eye is a failure of the glands in your eyelids to produce tears, which often occurs as part of the ageing process. Blockage of the oil glands in the eyelids may worsen the problem.
Medicines used in the treatment of medical conditions, such as high blood pressure or kidney disease, can reduce the production of tears.
Less often, dry eye may be part of a medical condition, such as Sjögren's syndrome, which occurs in people with rheumatoid arthritis and other related conditions.
Can I still have dry eye if my eyes water?
Yes, this is possible. Occasionally your eyes may be so irritated by dryness that the glands in the eyelids produce more tears to compensate, causing your eyes to water. Symptoms may persist because of poor quality tears
Do I need any tests?
Your hospital specialist can examine your eyes and assess the amount of tears you produce and check for any damage to the surface of the eyes. The specialist can advise you about the use of artificial tears and ways of keeping your eyes moist.
How can my eyes be treated?
The standard treatment for dry eye is the regular use of artificial tear drops. These drops can be used as often as needed to keep your eyes comfortable. This may vary from a few times a day to every hour. If you need to use drops very frequently, then try to avoid those containing preservatives, which can irritate your eyes. Drops are available with or without prescription from your chemist. Ointments are also available, which give longer-lasting, overnight protection.
Severe dry eye may be relieved by blocking the tiny channels that drain tears into the nose. This may help to keep your eyes moist and can be a permanent or temporary treatment.
Special wrap-around spectacles can also be used to stop the wind drying your eyes.
How can I help myself?
- Apply artificial tear drops as required.
- Lower the level of your computer monitor so your eyes are looking downwards while you work - this will slow down evaporation of your tears.
- Drink plenty of fluids to keep your body well hydrated.
- Use a humidifier at home or at work — especially where there is air-conditioning.
- Watch out for situations where you may blink less often, eg when reading, watching television and looking at a computer monitor and try to blink more frequently when concentrating on these tasks.
- Wear wrap-around spectacles when you are outside to stop the wind drying your eyes.
- Avoid places where there are fumes, dust or smoke, which can irritate your eyes.