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A Common eye condition
The majority of us do not realise that we have often experienced the symptoms of this condition. We say that our eyes become "tired" after sitting in front of a computer for hours or a session of all night studying or driving long distances.
Dry eyes is certainly the most common eye condition and the incidence is increasing rapidly.
Symptoms:
- Grittiness – as though a particle of dust or a hair got in your eye
- Burning sensation
- Redness
- Light sensitivity
- Tearing – Yes! Dryness stimulates reflex watery tear production in the same way a foreign body would
- Puffy eyes
- Blurred vision
- Eye ache - or some experience headache behind the eyes
- Droopy eyelids
Tears and the Tearfilm:
It is important to understand the function of the tearfilm. The ultra thin layer of wetness covering the surface of the eye has a mucin (protein) layer on the inside in contact with the cornea and a oily outer layer on the outside to reduce evaporation with a watery layer sandwiched in-between. Hundreds of little glands in the lids and conjunctiva have to contribute to its formation in a controlled way.
We blink our eyes regularly to maintain this complicated layer. It lubricates the eye and lid movements and provides the clear corneal surface that makes vision possible – to mention only two of its many functions. If the tearfilm does not function properly, dry spots develop producing friction between the eye surface and the lid which causes grittiness, burning, tearing etc. Dry spots on the cornea spoil good vision and incoming light (sunlight, headlights when driving at night) striking dry spots is scattered inside the eye causing glare. Increased friction between eye and lid makes the eye and lid muscles work harder causing them to ache and the lids to droop.
Watery tears are produced in response to emotional disturbance and irritations and has a detrimental effect on the function of the tearfilm.
Causes of Dry Eyes:
Concentrating (staring) for long periods – reading, computer work, driving, watching TV etc. We blink less frequently under these circumstances and this leaves more time for evaporation-
Environmental factors increasing evaporation – wind, sun, heaters, fans,
air-conditioners, fluorescent lighting, reading (study) lamps too close to the face generating heat and convection etc. The modern office environment is designed to produce dry eyes! - Diseases – rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid conditions, allergies, lupus, etc
- Drugs – Beta-blocking agents, anti-depressants, anti-histaminics, diuretics, decongestants (e.g. drops used to whiten red eyes), etc.
- Contact lenses require more tears and people with dryness tendencies often become symptomatic. Dryness is the most common reason for contact lens failure.
- Females have to cope with various hormonal fluctuations throughout life which can cause dryness: menarche, menstruation, contraceptive pills and especially menopause.
- Age – our eyes tend to become drier with age
- Sleep! – we do not blink our eyes while sleeping. Evaporation continues and mucussy deposit (matter) collects in the inner angle of the eyes. We wake up with irritated eyes especially if we went to bed with dry eyes (TV or reading late before retiring).
- Our genes – some people have the tendency towards dry or oily skin or hair. They were born that way. The same applies to our eyes.
- Rubbing the eyes disturbs the delicate three-layered structure of the tearfilm and causes it to break up forming dry spots.
Treatment:
- The first aim should be to avoid as many as possible of the causes mentioned above.
- Sometimes it only requires switching off a ceiling fan in the bedroom! Or, worse, a heater or air-conditioner.
- Make sure ventilation in the car is not directed at your face. Air-conditioning extracts moisture from the atmosphere and your tears end up in a puddle under your car on the garage floor!
- Many students use too bright study lamps positioned too close to the face.
- Coping with computers and their tiring (read: drying) effect on the eyes is an ever increasing problem. The problem is caused by staring in one direction for long periods. This reduces the blinking frequency and increases evaporation time. Develop the habit of frequently looking away. Every time you change your direction of gaze, you blink your eyes.
- Changing treatment for glaucoma, hipertension, hormone replacement, contraception, allergies, etc. often has a beneficial effect. Talk to your medical practitioner.
Unfortunately these measures do not always solve the problem.
More and more sufferers need artificial tears to supplement the tearfilm. A wide variety of products are available.
Drops dispensed in bottles contain preservatives which limits the frequency of use because they can harm the surface of the eye. These cannot be used with contact lenses and has to be discarded 30 days after being opened.
Preservative free drops can be instilled more frequently and can be kept until it expires because it remains sealed and sterile until opened. Can be used with contact lenses.
Gel preparations has a longer lasting effect and is the treatment of choice for many. Not with contact lenses.
Important: Treatment with artificial tears is preventive and cannot reverse symptoms once dryness has set in. Use the drops before you start reading, switch on the computer or TV etc. The drop is effective for only an hour or perhaps two after instillation. It evaporates and drains away towards the nose and throat along the tear ducts. Now you know why you can taste certain drop at the back of your throat a while after instillation and why your nose runs when you cry!
When your skin is dry, you moisturize it. Why not do the same for your eyes?
Like your skin, your eyes need extra moisture from time to time. It's only natural as you get older; and can also result from being outside in the wind and sun, being inside with air conditioning - any situation that exposes your eyes to dryness or dust. You may notice some of the signs, such as burning, itching, dryness or even excessive tearing.
Tears Naturale® II Ophthalmic Solution soothes and moisturizes your dry, sensitive eyes just like your own tears. Tears Naturale® II contains POLYQUAD® preservative, recommended by doctors as being one of the most gentle on the eye.
Tears Naturale Preservative Free® Eye Drops are preservative-free. If your eye doctor has recommended a preservative-free product, then Tears Naturale Preservative Free® would be an excellent choice. Tears Naturale Preservative Free® comes in single-use vials.
Do you suffer from dry eyes? Take this simple Quiz to find out.
Do you ever experience any of the following symptoms?
- A burning sensation
- A stinging sensation
- Scratchiness, grittiness or a foreign body sensation
- Dryness
- Sensitivity to bright light
- Mucus secretions in the eye
If you have experienced one or more of the symptoms mentioned, you might have dry eye and should consult your eye care professional.
Dry Eye Syndrome
Dry eye is a term used to describe a group of different diseases and conditions that result from inadequate wetting and lubrication of the eye. Although millions of people experience it, dry eye is not always easy to diagnose; it can easily be mistaken for other conditions such as infections or allergies. Believe it or not, excessive tearing caused by crying, cold weather, etc., can actually cause dry eye symptoms.
Tears are a lot more complicated than they seem. They are the body's
natural mechanism for protecting the surface of the eye from infection
and from the corrosive effects of dirt, dust and other airborne particles.
They help to create a smooth corneal surface so vision stays clear and
undistorted and your eyes stay comfortable. Tears provide a wet, lubricated
surface that sits atop the corneal epithelium (surface of the eye).
There are three layers to the tear film. The oily, outer layer prevents evaporation. The middle layer is more watery. The inner layer contains mucous and forms the bond between the tear film and the corneal epithelium.
Tears are constantly being replenished, so adequate tear production is important to maintain the health, comfort and infection-fighting capabilities of the eye. When the eye can't produce enough tears to perform these functions, artificial tears or occlusion (plugging of the tear ducts) may be necessary.
There are many different abnormalities that can cause dry eye, such as decreased tear production, excessive evaporation, blinking problems, etc. Many medications, such as antihistamines, can also contribute to dry eye.
How is this condition treated?
Treatment of dry eye is generally done through the use of tear substitutes. There are a number of other treatment options available to patients who are unable to obtain relief with these products.
Tears Naturale® II Eye Drops
- The natural, comfortable choice
- Formulated to be as close to your natural tears as possible
- Soothes and moisturizes your dry, sensitive eyes just like your own tears
- Can be used while wearing contact lenses
- Contains Polyquad® anti-microbial, a preservative well-tolerated by patients with a history of sensitivity to other preservatives
- Contains Duasorb® - a unique polymer not found in other artificial tears - which first restores and then maintains your natural tear film longer than other agents
- Available without a prescription
Tears Naturale® Preservative Free Eye Drops
- For effective relief that comes naturally
- Available in single-use vials for people who are sensitive to preservatives
- Can be used while wearing contact lenses
- Available without a prescription
Duratears® Ointment
- For severe dry eye
- Suitable for people who are sensitive to preservatives
- Available without a prescription
