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| Dry
Eye |
If your eyes sting, itch
or burn, you may be experiencing the common signs of "dry
eye." A feeling of something foreign within the eye or general
discomfort may also signal dry eye.
What is dry eye?
Dry eye describes eyes that do not produce enough tears. The
natural tears that your eyes produce are composed of three
layers:
- The outer oily layer,
which prevents or slows evaporation of the tear film; The
middle watery layer; which moisturizes and nourishes the
front surface of the eye;
- The inner mucus
layer, which helps maintain a stable tear film.
Dry eye may occur because
the volume of tears produced is inadequate (we all produce
fewer tears as we get older, and in some cases this can lead
to dry eye symptoms). It may result because the composition
of the tears has changed so that they are unstable and evaporate
more quickly.
What
causes dry eye?
Dry eye symptoms can result from the normal aging process.
Exposure to environmental conditions, as well as medications,
such as antihistamines, oral contraceptives or anti-depressants,
can contribute to the symptoms of dry eye. Or, dry eye can
result from chemical or thermal burns to the eye. Dry eye
may also be symptomatic of general health problems or other
diseases. For example, people with arthritis are more prone
to dry eye.
Will
dry eye harm my eyes?
If untreated, it can. Excessive dry eye can damage tissue
and possibly scar the cornea at the front of your eye,
impairing vision. Dry eye can make contact lens wear
more difficult since tears may be inadequate to keep
the lenses wet and lubricated. This can lead to irritation
and a greater chance of eye infection. Therefore, it
is important to follow the recommended treatment plan.
How
is it diagnosed?
During the examination, you will be asked about your
general health, use of medications, and work and home
environments to determine factors, which may be contributing
to dry eye symptoms. This information will help decide
whether to perform specific dry eye tests. To
test for dry eye, diagnostic instruments that allow
a highly magnified view of your eyes or small strips
of paper or thread and special dyes to assess the quantity
and quality of the tears may also be used.
How
is it treated?
Dry eye cannot be cured, but your eyes' sensitivity
can be lessened and measures taken so your eyes
remain healthy. The most frequent method of treatment
is the use of artificial tears or tear substitutes.
For more severe dry eye, ointment can be used,
especially at bedtime. In some cases, small plugs
may be inserted in the corner of the eyelids to
slow drainage and loss of tears.
To keep dry eye symptoms
in check, you and your optometrist need to work together.
If you have increased dryness or redness that is not relieved
by the prescribed treatment, let us know as soon as possible. |
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