DRY EYES
Dry Eyes is a common condition which a person does not produce enough quality tears to lubricate and moisture the surface of the eye. Tears are necessary for maintaining the health of the front surface of the eye and for providing clear vision. Advanced dry eyes may damage the front surface of the eye and impair vision. The medical terms for decreased tear production is Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), also referred to as Dry Eye Syndrome.
Symptoms
Symptoms which usually affect both eyes include:
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Burning and stinging sensation in your eyes.
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Redness
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Heavy eyes
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Sore eyes
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Blurred vision or eye fatigue
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Watery eyes
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Discomfort while wearing contact lenses
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Difficulty reading
Causes
Dry eyes are caused by decreased in tear production or increased tear evaporation and imbalance in the makeup of your tears. Main causes of dry eyes are:
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Aging. Dry eyes are a part of natural aging process
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Medication. Certain medicines eg. antihistamines, blood pressure medications, decongestants etc.
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Certain medical condition including diabetes, scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid disorder
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Environmental conditions. Exposure to wind, dust, smoke and dry climate
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Tear gland damage due to inflammation or radiation
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Other factors. Long-term use of contact lenses can be a factor in the development of dry eyes. Refractive eye surgeries such as LASIK, can decrease tear production and contribute to dry eyes.
Dry Eyes Treatment
Treatment depends on the causes of the dry eyes.
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Managing a condition causing dry eyes eg. change to a different medication if that is causing dry eyes
- Artificial tears
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Newer medications eg. cyclosporin-A, diquafosol eye drops
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Lifestyle changes eg. reduce 3C usage; rest for 20 seconds in between of reading/smartphone/computer usage every 20 minutes
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Lacrimal Plugs
