Dry Eyes and Eye Drops

Almost everyone has experienced a case of dry eyes. For some people, it is more persistent and inconvenient. Dry eye syndrome affects a fair amount of Americans, especially among older patients. It is directly caused by either a decrease in the amount of tears being produced or by an increase in tear film evaporation. There are quite a few other reasons, however, for developing dry eye syndrome, the most common of which is aging.

Causes of Dry Eyes

Generally, any abnormality in the three layers of tears causes unstable tear film, which causes dry eyes. Increased age is generally associated with decreased tear production. This is most prominent in postmenopausal women. Other causes include certain medications like birth control pills or allergy medicines, eye injury, eyelid disorders, diseases that affect the ability to make tears, and vitamin A deficiency, though that is very rare in the United States.

Patients who are more susceptible to developing dry eye syndrome include those who have been using contacts for a long time and diabetics. Also, if a person lives in a windy, dry, or dusty climate, they are also more likely to develop dry eyes.

Dry Eye Symptoms

Symptoms for dry eye syndrome are straightforward and are often enough evidence to provide a diagnosis. Symptoms include a consistent dryness, burning, and scratching in the eyes.

On the chance the doctor doesn't immediately diagnose the patient with dry eye syndrome, the doctor may measure the amount of tears in the eyes. A Schirmer test may be conducted, which is when the doctor places a thin strip of filter paper below the lower eyelid. Ironically, dry eye syndrome can cause tears. This is because the tear ducts work overtime to produce tears due to the dryness, which leads to excess tears.

Dry Eye Treatments

Like a number of eye diseases, dry eye syndrome cannot directly be cured but the effects can be easily managed. A physician may prescribe artificial tears, or eye drops, which patients use to relieve the scratchy feeling that often accompanies dry eyes. Restasis eye drops, on the other hand, work the same way but have the added function of helping the body produce more tears. If a patient uses contacts, it is important to keep in mind that contacts usually are not supposed to be in when eye drops are used. Depending on what the label says, contacts should not be replaced until at least fifteen minutes after using the eye drops.

One other treatment option is Lacrisert, which is an insert filled with a lubricating ingredient, such as those found in eye drops, placed within the lower eyelid. Throughout the day, it spreads the lubrication around the eye.

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