What is Dry Eye?

Dry eyes is a very common and every day condition. Dry eye happens when your tears aren’t able to produce enough and adequate lubrication for your eyes. Tears can be insufficient for many reasons. Tears are a mixed up of water, fatty oils and mucus. This mixture assists make the surface of your eyes fluidly and clear, and it helps defend and secure your eyes from infection.

For instance, dry eyes may occur if your eyes produce enough tears or if you produce less amount of tears.

Dry eyes feels very annoying and troublesome. When you have dry eyes, your eyes may sting or burn. You may experience dry eyes in different situations, like when you are on computer for long hours, or when you are on an airplane.

Many times , we will experience a “foreign body sensation” in our eye. That usually happens if the wind blows dust, an allergen or a foreign body into our eye or under an eyelid. This should not be dismissed as just an uncomfortable feeling. It needs to be remedied. It cannot be allowed to linger or fester.

Dry eye syndromes

For many, the feeling of grittiness, dryness, burning or stinging or even excessive tearing cannot be relieved simply, or with over the counter methods. It may be the sign of a chronic condition known as dry eye syndrome. Yes, even tearing eyes are a sign of dry eye.
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 that do not have the proper chemical composition.

Dry eye is more common as we age. 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, visit your optometrist for treatment.

If you have dry eye, your symptoms may include irritated, scratchy, dry, uncomfortable or red eyes, a burning sensation, excessive tearing, blurred vision, or a feeling of something foreign in your eyes. 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.

Careful clinical observation, accurate diagnosis, and appropriate intervention can eliminate or minimize the deleterious effects of ocular surface disorders on the quality of life.

For more info please click here.