About Dry Eyes

 
Feeling of Dry Eyes


The feeling of dry eyes is very common and can be
quite debilitating for the sufferer. Various unpleasant
sensations can be experienced:

  • feeling of dryness, grittiness, burning, 
    itchiness or scratchiness of the eyes
  • sensitivity to light
  • blurred vision
  • excessive tear flow (caused by an 
    imbalance in the tear film)



                      

What about tears?

A sensation of dryness happens whenever the tear film becomes destabilised,
breaks down and thus no longer lubricates the eye sufficiently.  The tear film is
a complex structure and has various functions:

  • It lubricates the surface of the eye
  • It keeps the surface tissue of the eye moist
  • It supplies nutrients and oxygen to the cornea
  • It hinders bacterial infections
  • It protects the eye from small dust particles



What makes my eyes dry?

1. Environment:

This feeling of dryness can have a variety of causes. These are often due to negative environmental influences.

  • Dry heat
  • Air conditioning
  • Dust or smoke

2. Physical:

But often the causes lie within the body itself:

  • The older we get the less tears are produced by 
    our bodies.
  • Long hours in front of a computer screen, or... 
  • ... the wearing of contact lenses, can destabilise
    the tear film.
  • Women can experience dryness in the eyes due
    to hormonal changes in the body.     

3. Medical:

Underlying medical conditions that can effect the quality of tears:

  • Physical disorders in the body, such as rosacea, allergies, diabetes
  • Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus, or Sjögren's Syndrome* 

4. Treatments:

  • Medication
  • Surgery that permanently changes the shape of the cornea


* Sjögren's syndrome:
For further information on this condition please visit the website of the British Sjögren's Syndrome Association .

Please consult a physician if you are concerned about any of these conditions.

Health Professionals:
Please log in or register to access further information such as the following clinical study:

Most Recent Article (uploaded 14th July 2010):
Roger Vogel et al. :  Demonstration of Efficacy in the Treatment of Dry Eye Disease with 0.18% Sodium Hyaluronate Ophthalmic Solution (Vismed, Rejena*)

 


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