Dry Eye Syndrome: A Comprehensive Guide to the Condition!

Dry Eye syndrome occurs when the tears are not able to provide enough lubrication to the eyes. There can be different reasons for the same. One of the reasons can be less production of tears. Another one can be the unsatisfactory quality of the tears. Dry eyes burn at times and can be really uncomfortable as well. One can feel dry eyes in different scenarios. Some of them are: while watching television or computer screen, an aeroplane, and in an air-conditioned area, etc. One must opt for the treatment options available like specific eye drops, and certain lifestyle changes.

Dry Eye Syndrome Symptoms

These symptoms are visible in the condition of dry eye:

• A stinging, or scratchy feeling in eyes
• Stringy mucus in or around your eyes
• High sensitivity to light
• Redness of eye
• Difficulty in wearing contact lenses
• Blurred vision
• Eye fatigue

Dry Eye Syndrome Causes

Different reasons can lead to dry eye. Dry eyes occur due to the unsatisfactory production of tears in the eyes. Tears are made of water, fatty oils, and mucus. The very mixtures help in keeping eyes clean and smooth. Also, tears help in avoiding the risk of eye infections. Some people witness dry eye due to the inadequate amount of tears in the etc. However. other than that high rate of tear evaporation and imbalance in the makeups the eyes. Some of the causes of dry eyes are: 

1) Inadequate Tear Production

Dry eye, the condition is medically known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca(ker-uh-toe-kun-junk-tih-VY-tis SIK-uh). In the condition, the eyes are not able to produce sufficient tears and can be caused due to:

• Ageing
• Medical conditions like, diabetes, thyroid disorders, lupus, scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, and vitamin A deficiency
• Specific drugs, including antihistamines, hormone replacement therapy, decongestants, antidepressants, and drugs for birth control, high blood pressure, acne, and Parkinson's disease
• Laser eye surgery, however, symptoms of dry eyes due to this procedure are generally temporary.
• Tear gland damage from inflammation or radiation

2) Increased tear evaporation

Factors like wind, smoke, and dry air lead to high evaporation rates of tears. Not only these, blinking after long intervals, especially, when one is concentrating on some work lead to high tear evaporation.

3) Imbalance in tear composition

There are three layers in tear film: oil, water and mucus. Any problem in these layers can lead to dry eyes. For instance, the oil film that small glands produce on the edge of meibomian glands (eyelids) may get clogged. Such blockage is quite common in people, who have inflammation along the eyelid edges, known as blepharitis, or who have rosacea and more skin disorders.

Treatment

Sometimes certain medications cause dry eyes. If an individual is under a certain medication and dry eye symptoms are visible, one must consult the doctor. Doctors can recommend a different medication or may adjust the dosage to avoid the risk of dry eye syndrome. However, if someone is going through eyelid conditions like ectropion (out-turning lids), the doctor may go ahead and ask to seek help from an eye surgeon. Similarly, in the case of rheumatoid arthritis, the doctor may ask the person to see a rheumatologist. Apart from that, there are some prescription medications one must take help from:

To reduce eyelid inflammation

Eyedrops to control cornea inflammation. Prescription eyedrops can help in reducing and eliminating the eyelid inflammation. At times, doctors suggest some antibiotics as well, which one can eat through the mouth. However, some are taken as eyedrops or ointments as well.

To reduce inflammation on the surface of your eyes

To control the inflammation on the eye surface or cornea, doctors prescribed eye drops. These eye drops can include cyclosporine or corticosteroids. These are immune-suppressing medications.  However, doctors try to refrain from prescribing corticosteroids as it is not good for long term use.

Eye inserts that work like artificial tears

Doctors help people with moderate to severe dry eye symptoms by using eye inserts. This looks like a clear grain of rice and is helpful in scenarios where artificial tears don't work. Once in a day, the person needs to keep Lacrisert, hydroxypropyl cellulose insert in between the lower eyelid and eyeball. The very insert dissolves and releases a lubricating substance, which is present in eyedrops.

Drugs to stimulate tears

Drugs like pilocarpine and cevimeline, which fall under cholinergic help in increasing the production of the tears. These are available in different forms. One can get a gel, a pill, or even an eyedrop. Sweating can be one of the side-effects of the drug.

Eyedrops of own blood

Autologous blood serum drops help to cure severe dry eye syndrome. This is prepared from one's own blood. Doctors ask for this option when the patient is not able to respond to any other treatment. In order to prepare the eyedrops, the sample of the blood is processed. It removes red blood cells. Eventually, leads to the mixing of salt sodium. Other than these treatments, one can follow some other ways as well, like opting for special eye contact lenses, closing tear ducts to ensure minimal to no tear loss. One can opt for an intense-pulsed-light therapy as well. This therapy reduces the chances of dry eye and even cure the ones who are suffering through it.   http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/dryeye-syndrome.htm https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-eyes/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20371869 https://mayoclinichealthsystem.org/locations/la-crosse/services-and-treatments/ophthalmology/eye-diseases