Dry Eye Syndrome
Dry eye syndrome is a very common ocular condition that affects many people at all ages, but especially those over 40. It is one of the most common eye problems treated by Eye Physicians. More than 10 million Americans suffer from Dry Eye Syndrome.
Dry Eye Syndrome is caused by a problem with the TEAR FILM. Human tear film is made of 3 different layers.
- There is a MUCUS layer that lays directly on the eye and forms the foundation of the tear film.
- The second layer is the AQUEOUS TEAR LAYER which provides moisture and oxygen to the cornea.
- The 3rd layer is the LIPID or OILY layer which rests directly on the AQUEOUS LAYER. The oily layer acts to prevent evaporation of the tears and stabilizes the overall tear film.
A problem with any 3 of these layers can cause Dry Eye Syndrome.
SYMPTOMS
There are a wide range of symptoms with Dry Eye Syndrome. People may suffer from a few or all of the following:
- Dry "gritty" sensation
- Fluctuation of vision - clears with blinking
- Burning
- Itching
- Redness
- Watering Eyes
- Increased discomfort after periods of Reading, Watching TV, Driving or Working on a Computer
Any or all of the above symptoms may accompany Dry Eye Syndrome.
CAUSES
Dry Eye Syndrome, as mentioned above, is a problem with one or more layers of the tear film. There may be an inadequate production of LIPID leading to rapid evaporation. There may be inadequate production of the AQUEOUS layer leading to poor wetting of the surface of the eye.
Any number of conditions can cause Dry Eye Syndrome. It is important to figure out the exact cause because it helps direct better treatment. More common causes of Dry Eye Syndrome include:
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Sjogren Syndrome
- Nutritional Deficiencies
- Aging
- Diabetes
- Certain Medications
- Previous Eye Surgery
- Poor Eye Lid function
- Chronic Eye Lid Infection
- Contact Lens Use
- and the list goes on.............
Once it is suspected that a patient has Dry Eye Syndrome, some confirmatory tests are used to aid in diagnosis. Drops are placed in the eye and then the actual composition of the tear film and the corneal surface are inspected under a blue light. This gives us the information we need for accurate diagnosis.
TREATMENT
Most people with Dry Eye Syndrome just grin and bear it. They just accept the fact that their eyes feel dry and they do nothing about it. If you're one of those people then LISTEN UP! You DON'T HAVE TO LIVE WITH THE SYMPTOMS of Dry Eye Syndrome!
Treatment is aimed at Keeping the Eye Lubricated! We can do this many ways depending on the etiology of DES. Usually just using Artificial Tears up to, but not exceeding, 4 times a day is enough to alleviate most of the symptoms. Warm compresses in the morning and at night can help increase production of healthy tear film also.
When warm compresses and artificial tears are not enough, or if you find yourself wanting to use artificial tears more than 4 times a day, more permanent invasive treatment may be required.
Punctal Occlusion has been used successfully for years in the treatment of DES. It is performed by placing small plugs in the tear drains in the eyelid. There are 4 drains total, one in each eyelid. This helps by preventing the tears from draining into the nose and thus keeping them on the eye.
 To the right, there is an example of punctal occlusion. Generally the lower puncta are occluded, if the symptoms are bad enough then the top ones are also plugged:
There is also a new drop out called RESTASIS. If you have been watching TV lately I am sure you have seen ads for Restasis. It is topical Cyclosporine used twice a day. Restasis is a great drop for the treatment of DES if you have failed other treatments. It is speculated that chronic inflammation leads to decreased tear film production and eye irritation. Restasis acts to decrease the immune response on the surface of the eye and help your body to produce better tears. It is an expensive drug and takes at least 3 months to have a beneficial effect. Restasis can only be prescribed by a physician, so if you think you may be a candidate please call us at 318-212-3937.
Other supplements such as Flak seed oil and cod liver oil promote Omega-3 Fatty acid production which is a vital component of the tear film. Some studies have shown supplementation with these nutrients help reduce the symptoms of DES.
If you think you have Dry Eye Syndrome or if Artificial Tears are not working, gives us a call at 318-212-3937 and schedule your appointment today! |
