The Soothing Comfort for Dry Eye Syndrome

One common type of eye pain is the dry eye syndrome which most people in different age range suffer from. Symptoms of dry eyes include redness, blurred vision, and dryness, sensitivity to light, excessive tearing and intolerance to contact lens among others.

Often referred to as keratitis sicca or keratoconjunctivitis, this eye problem is due to insufficient production of tears. The three important components of the tears are the lacrimal gland, meibornian glands and the goblet cells that keep every mixed component together. Dry eyes may occur when one of the three glands do not function well.

Who usually suffers dry eye syndrome?

An estimated 10%-30% of people generally suffer dry eyes which are equivalent to approximately 90 million Americans. Those who are above 40 years old especially women are more likely to experience this problem.

Systemic Causes and Refractive Surgery

Those who have systemic causes like rheumatoid arthritis, acne rosacea and Sjoren syndrome are more prone to dry eyes while patients who undergo refractive surgery like LASIK, LASEK and PRK affects the neural feedback loop thus causing less tears. This results to severe discomfort and visual impairment.

The relation of contact lens to dry eyes

Eyes with less tear production are incapable of tolerating contact lens which is generally 30 to 70% water. Contact lens must be hydrated by tears for lubrication and those who cannot produce this needed liquid suffer discomfort in wearing contact lens.

The diagnosis and treatment of dry eyes

Consultation to a certified eye expert in different eye care centers is vital to diagnose the causes of dry eyes. Ophthalmologists often base their findings through patient complaints and eventually examine the patient’s eyes for relevant sources and causes. Dry eyes are addressed through the following measures and treatment.

• Artificial tears. Containing carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, castor oil, polyvinyl alcohol, glycerin or polyethylene glycol, this method is used for mild cases since it only lingers for 10-15 minutes.
• Punctual Occlusion. Performed in eye care centers for only 2 minutes, this is a painless method done through avoid tear drainage to the nose cavity. This is oftentimes preferred by most dry eyes patients.
• Improving your diet by including food rich with omega-3 fatty acids is beneficial to supplement the body and preventing tendencies of developing dry eyes.
• Necessary medications like Restasis are carefully developed by most pharmaceutical firms to combat eye pain like dry eye syndrome. This is particularly effective for increasing production of tear volume and curing inflamed lacrimal gland. Results may occur within 2-4 months.
• Contact lenses. Different kinds of eyes need a specific type of contact lens in order to avoid discomfort and more eye pain symptoms. Thus it is important to consider the materials used in certain contact lenses that goes well with your eyes in relation to its ability to produce tears.

Eye pain is a rampant problem that needs special attention and remedy. Thus, proper care and protection of the eyes through a conscientious effort to keep it healthy is the key to maintaining a 20/20 vision.