Dry Eye Syndrome: Causes and Treatments

If you’ve ever experienced chronic dry eye syndrome, you know how uncomfortable it can be. Whether you want to shed some tears over your latest read or you just need a little lubrication while staring at your work computer screen all day, not having enough moisture in your eyes can be downright painful.

You may start noticing your eyes getting dry and itchy if you’re experiencing digital eye strain. But it may also come from another, more serious eye condition. The most important thing to know if you suffer from dry eye is that you are not alone. Currently, it’s estimated that nearly 35 percent of the global population suffers from this condition. Knowing the probable cause of your dry eye symptoms and some possible treatments is important for improving your quality of life.

What Causes Dry Eyes? And the Importance of Tears

Shedding tears is a necessary process for a healthy eye. Tears protect, lubricate, clean, and nourish our eyes. However, not all tears are equal. Some lubricate, some cleanse, and some remove excess hormones from our bodies. Amazingly, our eyes seem to know which kind of tears are needed at any given time.

Dry eye occurs most often due to problems with the tear ducts. Sometimes, it’s because our ducts are working too efficiently – they drain our eyes too fast. On the other hand, one of the most common dry eye causes is that the eye doesn’t produce enough of the right kinds of tears. Either way, this presents a problem for our eyes. When they become too dry, it causes damage to the eye’s outer covering. This is because tears carry necessary nutrients to the cornea and also wash away waste products. Both functions are essential to maintaining clear and healthy vision.

One of the main causes of dry eye syndrome is the decrease in tear production as we age. However, it can also be caused by reactions to some medications, like antihistamines. Contact lens dry eyes are also common, especially if they aren’t cared for properly.

Environmental factors such as wind or smoke can also cause dry eye. Dry eye syndrome has been associated with contact lenses and LASIK surgery. In fact, many people report the unfortunate symptom of dry eye after LASIK.

Another contributing factor can be air conditioners and heating systems. These can dry the air in your home or office. Try setting your air conditioner to a slightly warmer setting and adding a humidifier if you notice signs of eye irritation. Make sure that the filters are changed regularly so that dust and allergens are effectively removed from the air.

Not All Tears Are the Same

There are three main types of tears:

1. Basal tears: These surprisingly complex tears lubricate the eye and remove dust. Basal tears are made up of a variety of substances, such as lipids, sodium, glucose, potassium, and an enzyme named lysozyme, which is also found in saliva. Some of these substances are responsible for fighting against bacterial infections in the eye.
2. Reflex tears: We produce reflex tears when foreign particles enter the eye. Foreign particles could be dirt, dust, gases, or harmful liquids. These tears protect the eye by flushing out foreign materials.
3. Emotional tears: As the name implies, we produce these tears when we feel pain, stress, or other strong feelings. These tears are made up of different chemicals from other tears and may be our bodies’ way of removing excess hormones.

While crocodile tears are not real tears, there is a condition called Crocodile Tear Syndrome. People recovering from Bell’s palsy may suffer from this. It results from incorrect or incomplete regeneration of the facial nerve that controls the salivary and tear glands. People suffering from this will quite often cry when eating.

Sometimes, our tear ducts drain the needed basal tears too quickly so that they do not have time to fully lubricate the eyes. This is one of the most common dry eye syndrome symptoms, often leaving you with a gritty eye feeling.

Dry Eye Syndrome Problems

People suffering from keratitis sicca or “dry eye” know how important the right kind of tears can be. If you have experienced either burning eyes or itchy, dry eyes as a result of not producing enough tears, you know how uncomfortable it is. Dry eye symptoms also include stinging, light sensitivity, or blurred vision. And, producing the wrong kind of tears can actually make these symptoms worse.

For example, your eyes may feel gritty or scratchy as a result of your condition. To combat this, your eyes might actually produce reflex tears, but these actually don’t help the situation since they don’t include the natural lubricants that basal tears contain. Some people produce so many reflex tears that they have a hard time identifying that they are experiencing dry eye syndrome symptoms at all. They may not seek eye lubrication help because they have not yet identified the problem.

Dry Eye Syndrome Treatment

Currently, there are four main forms of dry eye treatment:

• A prescription drug called Restasis: This drug is supposed to help your eyes produce the basal tears that are needed for lubrication. It may take some time to be effective, but it has proven to be a successful treatment for some people.
• Artificial tears: There are many types of dry eye drops sold over the counter that can help with this condition. You may have to try several before you find one that works well for you. If one type or brand of eye drop doesn’t work for you, keep trying others until you find the one that does.
• Tear duct plugs: Doctors may insert temporary plugs into your tear ducts to help to see if blocking the drainage port makes a difference. If they do help, there are permanent plugs that can be inserted. However, even with the permanent plugs, there is a chance that they could fall out. You may have to have them reinserted if this happens.
• Lifestyle Changes: Evidence shows that some vitamins can help alleviate dry eye. Similarly, it’s really important to ensure you are getting adequate hydration while tackling dry eye. It’s one of the best forms of dry eye syndrome self-care.

Before determining the best treatment for your dry eyes, it’s important to consult your eye doctor. They can point you in the best direction based on your symptoms and their causes.

Allergies Can Mimic Dry Eye Symptoms

Seasonal allergies (and allergies to pets) are some of the most common causes of eye irritation. As such, these often mimic dry eye syndrome symptoms. For example, allergies often cause red, sore eyes. These irritants can also make your eyes feel scratchy. Additionally, allergy medications often contain antihistamines, which can actually be one cause of dry eyes.

If you have any suspicion that you may be developing dry eye syndrome, contact your eye doctor immediately. If left untreated, it can damage the eyes or even cause vision loss. Plus, it’s just uncomfortable to suffer through these symptoms. Your doctor can help you find the cause and appropriate treatment for chronic dry eye syndrome today. Dry eye relief is possible!