Dry Eye Treatment
The Characteristics of Dry Eye Disease
Dry Eye Syndrome (DES) is a common disorder of tear film, which lubricate the eye and stop the surface from drying out. A chronic lack of sufficient lubrication and moisture on the surface of the eye leads to a range of symptoms varying from elusive but constant eye irritation to significant inflammation and even scarring on the cornea, and potentially some loss of vision. It can be related to either the quality or quantity of the tears.
Dry Eye Symptoms
- Burning sensation
- Itchy eyes
- Sore eyes
- Heavy eyes
- Fatigued eyes
- Red eyes
- Dryness sensation
- Light sensitivity
- Blurred vision
- Excessive watering
- Foreign body sensation (the feeling that grit or some other object or material is ‘in” the eye)
Causes of Dry Eye Syndrome
Dry eye can affect anyone of any age and the Digital Revolution seems to have caused a new epidemic of DES across the developing world. Experts estimate that more than 100 million people worldwide suffer from dry eye of different severity.
A number of factors can increase a risk of dry eye syndrome. These include:
- Advancing age because we produce a smaller volume of tears
- Women have a higher prevalence of dry eye compared with men, especially menopausal and postmenopausal women
- Some ocular conditions including trachoma (sandy blight), chemical burns to the eyes, chronic eye lid inflammation, incomplete closure of the eyelids when blinking or sleeping
- Some medications such antihistamines, antidepressants, hormone replacement therapy, certain medication for high blood pressure, acne, and birth control pills can trigger dry eye.
- Some general health conditions including diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, Sjogren’s syndrome, thyroid disorders, Parkinson’s disease and vitamin A deficiency can decrease tear production.
- Previous eye surgery such as cataract surgery and laser eye surgery (LASIK)
- Decreased blinking when working in front of a computer screen, reading, using a smartphone or other portable digital devices, or watching TV
- Long term contact lens wear as the lens absorption of the tear film by the lens, protein deposits on the lens and irritation of the conjunctiva by the lens
- Smoking can lead to increase tear evaporation
- Air-conditioned offices or supermarkets, rooms with ceiling fans and forced air heating systems because they decrease indoor humidity and/or hasten tear evaporation
- Arid climates and dry and windy climates
- Ocular irritants and allergens
Diagnosis of Dry Eye Syndrome
The diagnosis can be made based on symptoms validated with the questionnaire (OSDI), a microscopic examination of the eyes, tear film and eye lids which will allow for diagnosis and grading of the condition.
The assessment also involves use of the Oculus Keratograph to examine and grade the Meibomian glands, tear film quantity and stability, and to track ocular surface redness.
If treatment is necessary, the Keratograph can compare the before and after treatment results to evaluate the success of the treatment.