Dry eye is part of a group of eye conditions called ocular surface disease. These conditions affect the surface of the eye, including the cornea, conjunctiva and eyelids. Ocular surface disease can be caused by factors like environmental elements, certain medications, aging, or underlying health conditions, requiring specialized treatments to alleviate symptoms and preserve eye health.
Ocular surface disease is often termed “dry eye” because one of the primary manifestations involves lack of adequate lubrication and moisture on the eye’s surface. This condition diminishes the eye’s ability produce sufficient tears or maintain the quality of moisture, leading to symptoms of dryness, irritation, and discomfort. While “dry eye” highlights a key symptom, ocular surface disease encompasses broader issues beyond just dryness, including inflammation and damage to the eye’s surface.
Signs and Symptoms of Dry Eye
Symptoms of dry eye can include:
- Persistent dryness or grittiness in the eyes
- A sensation of something foreign in the eye
- Redness
- Excessive reflex tearing
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurred vision
- Discomfort
These symptoms may vary in intensity and can affect daily activities like reading, driving or working on electronic devices for extended periods.
What does it feel like to have dry eyes?
Having dry eyes can feel uncomfortable, often characterized by sensations of dryness, grittiness or a feeling of having sand or debris in the eye. Your eyes might sting or burn and they can become red or irritated. Sometime there is excess tearing in response to the irritation.
Dry Eye Causes and Prevention
Dry eye and ocular surface disease can be caused by various factors, including aging, hormonal changes, environmental conditions (dry or windy climates, obnoxious fumes or irritants), prolonged near tasks leading to decreased blink rates, certain medications, particularly antihistamine, or antidepressants, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory conditions of the eye, eyelid problems or underlying health conditions such as diabetes or thyroid disease. These factors disrupt the normal productions, distribution or quality of tears.
Avoiding Dry Eye
To help prevent dry eye, you can take precautions such as:
- Regular breaks during near-sight tasks
- Blinking more frequently
- Using proper lighting
- Reducing glare from electronic devices
- Using humidifiers while indoors
- Avoiding wind or smoky conditions
- Incorporating healthy diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids
- Get regular eye examinations to detect early signs before structural damage occurs
Diagnosing Ocular Surface Disease and Dry Eye
Diagnosing ocular surface disease typically involves a comprehensive eye examination by an eye care provider. This evaluation may include:
- Assessing the symptoms, like redness, inflammation, or damage on the eye’s surface
- Examining the eye’s surface with specialized dyes
- Measuring tear production
- Analyzing tear quality
- Possible additional tests to identify specific underlying causes or contributing factors
During an ocular examination, an eye doctor also assess the integrity of the cornea and conjunctiva for any abnormalities or change indicating dryness or other related conditions.
After Diagnosis of Dry Eye
Managing dry eyes involves adhering to prescribed treatments, using artificial tears as recommended, practicing good eye hygiene, maintaining a balance diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, staying hydrated, implementing lifestyle adjustments and taking breaks from electronic devices. Patients should seek regular follow-up appointments with their eye doctor to monitor progress and adjust treatment as necessary.
Treatment Options for Dry Eye
Treatment for dry eyes often includes:
- Artificial tear drops and ointments to lubricate the eyes
- Management of underlying conditions contributing to the dryness
- Lifestyle adjustments like frequent break during near-sight tasks, using humidifiers or wearing specialized moisture glasses
In severe cases, prescriptive medications or procedures to stimulate tears or to retain tears may be recommended to alleviate symptoms and improve eye moisture.
Medications for Dry Eye
Topical medications for dry eyes including lubricating eye drops, gels or ointments. Therapeutic eye drops include immunomodulators to reduce inflammations such as corticosteroids, cyclosporine or lifitegrast.
Oral medications such as omega-3 fatty acid supplements or tetracyclines can also be used to improve overall tear production and quality. If you have a specific underlying conditions — such as an autoimmune diseases, we may prescribe additional medications to target the condition and resulting dryness. There are also neurostimulation medications that increase tear production.
How long does it take dry eye to go away?
The length and severity of dry eye varies depending on the cause. If your cause is related to medications or environment, withdrawal of the offending trigger will alleviate the symptoms. Most cases, however, are chronic — but can be managed with appropriate therapy to reduce the impact on daily living activities or quality of life.
Can dry eye heal on its own?
Dry eyes can sometimes improve on their own, especially if the condition is mild or triggered by temporary factors like environmental changes. Chronic or severe cases often require ongoing management and treatment to alleviate symptoms and prevent damage to the eye. While certain lifestyle adjustments may help, professional guidance and intervention are crucial for effectively managing persistent dry eye conditions.
Dry Eye in Women
Dry eye can affect women differently due to hormonal changes experienced during pregnancy, menopause or the use of oral contraceptives — all of which can affect tear production. Additionally, certain autoimmune diseases more prevalent in women can contribute to a higher instance of dry eye. For these reasons, we will tailor the approach in managing dry eye specifically for women.
Dry Eye in Children
Dry eye in children may look different in children and include excessive blinking, light sensitivity, eye rubbing, redness or complaints of discomfort. Children often have difficulty articulating their symptoms accurately, making diagnosis a challenge. Identifying and managing pediatric dry eye often requires specialized evaluation by an eye care provider familiar with the unique signs and symptoms in children
Causes and Treatment Options for Children
Dry eye in children can stem from various factors like environment irritants, allergies, congenital issues, certain medications or systemic disease. Treatment involves:
- Using preservative-free artificial tears
- Managing underlying conditions
- Maintaining proper eye hygiene
- Employing warm compresses
- Ensuring a supportive environment
Identifying the underlying causes through a pediatric eye provider is crucial for tailoring an effective treatment plan specific to the child’s needs and condition.
Impact of Technology and Artificial Light on Eye Health
Extended exposure to technology screen and artificial light can strain the eyes, leading to symptoms like dryness, blurred vision, eye fatigue and discomfort, collectively known as digital eyestrain. The blue light emitted by screens may also disrupt sleep patterns by affecting melatonin production.
To mitigate these effects and reduce eyestrain and discomfort.
- Take regular breaks.
- Use blue light filters.
- Adjust screen settings.
- Maintain proper lighting.
The Effect of Screens on Your Eyes
Prolonged screen exposure can contribute to various eye health issues like digital eyestrain, dry eyes and even exacerbate underlying conditions such as ocular surface disease. Extended screen time can reduce blink rates — leading to inadequate tear distribution and causing symptoms of dryness. Managing screen time, taking breaks, and implementing proper ergonomic adjustments can help alleviate these effects on eye health.
