What is Dry Eye?

Our eyes need a constant supply of fresh tear film to remain healthy and comfortable. For most people, this isn’t a problem. However, a percentage of adults and children alike either don’t make enough natural tear film or their tear film doesn’t have the right balance of components to make their tear film, rendering it less effective. In either case, these people are described as having a condition called dry eye.

 

Here’s what you need to know about dry eye, including how to spot the signs of the condition and information about the treatments that are available.

 

What Causes Dry Eye?

There are primarily two main causes of dry eye. The first is simply not making enough tear film to keep the eyes moist and healthy. The second is a problem with the balance of component substances that go into it.

 

Many people are surprised to learn that tear film isn’t purely water. In fact, it is actually comprised of three different layers, all of which play an important role in its effectiveness. These include an oily layer, a watery layer, and a mucus layer. When one of the layers of the tear film is compromised, it can make the tear film less effective at keeping your eyes comfortable and healthy. In most cases of dry eye, it is the oily layer that is adversely affected. The oil that’s used to create tear film is made in tiny glands around the eyes called meibomian glands.


Another key cause of dry eye is a blockage in the meibomian glands that prevents enough oil from going into tear film production. Anyone can suffer from dry eye, but there are some factors that make someone more likely to experience it. These include:

 

• Being over the age of 50

• Wearing contact lenses

• Spending long periods of time looking at computer screens (as we blink less when we use digital devices)

• Smoking and drinking alcohol

• Spending time in dry, dusty, heated, or air-conditioned environments

• Certain medical conditions, like blepharitis or lupus

• Taking certain medications, including some blood pressure drugs and antidepressants
  
   

What are The Symptoms of Dry Eye?

You may have dry eye if you are experiencing one or more of the following symptoms:

 

• Eyes that feel stiff and dry

• Stinging and burning

• A scratchy or gritty feeling in your eye

• Feeling as though there is something stuck in your eye

• Difficulty wearing contact lenses

• Blinking more often to try and make your eyes feel more comfortable

• Stringy mucus in or around the eyes

• Eyes that look red and irritated

• Excessive watering (which occurs when your body tries to flood the eyes with moisture)

• Blurred vision
  
   

If you suspect you may have dry eyes, it’s important to speak to your eye doctor to get them to confirm a diagnosis and advise you which treatments are available.

 

Treatment for Dry Eye

The good news is that there’s no need to live with the effects of dry eye. There are actually a range of different treatments available, meaning that there is almost certainly one or more that will be effective at alleviating your symptoms. Exactly which treatment you will be offered may depend on what your eye doctor believes to be the cause of your dry eye. For example, if they think that your dry eye is caused by spending too long using digital devices, you may be prescribed artificial tears which are eyedrops that replicate the action of the natural tear film.


Alternatively, if your dry eye is believed to be caused by a problem with the meibomian glands, which is preventing enough oil from getting into your tear film, you may be recommended to try a treatment like Lipiflow that seeks to remove these blockages and restore normal function.

 

To learn more about diagnosing & treatment for dry eye, contact Family Eye Clinic in Midlothian, Texas at (972) 775-8000 to schedule a consultation.