Dry Eye Assessment
What is Dry Eye?
Dry eye means that your eyes may not be making enough tears, that the tears which are being produced are of poor quality or that the tears that are produced evaporate away. The normal function of tears is to keep the surface of the eye wet and lubricated so any shortage of tears or reduction in their quality can produce a gritty, burning sensation of the eyes and can also disturb vision.
Symptoms
The symptoms of dry eye syndrome may include: dryness; burning, stinging or itching; gritty feeling; irritation from wind or smoke; blurred or smeary vision; tired eyes; red eyes; excessive watering; photophobia (sensitivity to light); contact lens discomfort.
What are the causes of Dry Eye?
Dry eye can be caused by a wide variety of everyday factors and include:
- Aging
- Blepharitis
- Dry environment and pollution
- Computer use
- Contact lens wear
- LASIK surgery
- Preservatives
- Hormonal changes, especially in women e.g. menopause
- Dry eye may also be symptomatic of general health problems or diseases e.g. people with arthritis are more prone to dry eye (Sjogren’s Syndrome = arthritis + dry eye + dry mouth)
- Certain types of medications (anti-acne, some beta-blockers, oral contraceptives, antihistamines, diuretics, decongestants, alcohol & anti-depressants…) CAUTION: do not alter or adjust your prescribed medicines without discussing with your doctor). Your optometrist or doctor can advise of any known links between medicines and dry eye.
How is Dry Eye treated?
In some cases patient’s symptoms can be relieved simply by altering the external influences above. Environmental factors can be helped by making simple changes – for example avoidance of dehydrating environments such as air conditioning; if your job involves lots of computer work take regular breaks to rest your eyes. Protecting the eye from dehydrating influences such as a cold wind wearing spectacles or sunglasses may also help.
Tears must be distributed efficiently, replaced or conserved in order to provide relive. As dry eye syndrome is caused by an imbalance of tears on the eye’s surface the most logical way to treat the problem is to artificially replace the tears and by so doing improve both quantity and quality. Even a watery eye can be caused by the tears evaporating. This results in dry patches which the eye tries to correct by a flood of watery tears. Sometimes too much tear flow just needs better lubrication; think of a car engine with water in it; it will be wet but will not be well lubricated. There are a variety of artificial tears available and you will be advised the best option for your particular problem and how to use your treatment.
In severe cases of dry eye punctum plugging is available, where tiny little plugs are put into the tear ducts to prevent the tears draining away.
Call us on 020 8866 2620 to book your Dry Eye Assessment today.