Effective Treatments for Dry Eye Syndrome: A Guide for Patients

Itchy, scratchy, and red eyes are a few signs of a common eye condition called dry eye syndrome. When your eyes are too dry, simply blinking is enough to cause eye irritation and redness. This can get in the way of your work, hobbies, and day-to-day life.

Dry eye syndrome is uncomfortable and irritating, but it is easy to treat. Many highly effective treatments are available today. Although there are some over-the-counter options, like eye drops, the best treatment comes from a doctor, ophthalmologist, or optometrist. They can devise a custom treatment plan that addresses the cause of your dry eyes, so you can enjoy sustained relief and comfort.

What is dry eye syndrome?

Dry eye syndrome (also known as dry eye disease) is when your eye doesn’t produce sufficient tears or when tears evaporate too quickly because of an incorrect chemical composition.

It’s a fairly common medical condition, with approximately 30% of Canadians experiencing some symptoms. Fortunately, it’s easily treatable in most cases. If you suffer from dry eyes, you can improve your comfort and eye health significantly with professional care.

What causes dry eye syndrome?

Every eye is covered by a thin layer of tears that keeps the eye’s surface protected, hydrated, and lubricated. This layer of tears is called the tear film. It’s composed of water, oil, and mucous—all of which are produced by different glands surrounding the eye.

When the tear film is unstable, you experience dry eye symptoms. As the eye surface dries because of inadequate tears, dry spots form in the tear film. This exposes the sensitive nerves in your cornea to the eyelid when you blink.

Without the moist, protective layer of the tear film, blinking becomes a highly irritating and uncomfortable sensation. Since you blink more than 11,000 times per day, it can quickly become painful.

A variety of issues can trigger tear instability, including physical conditions, medications, environmental factors, and lifestyle factors.

Physical Conditions

Physical conditions, medical disorders, and surgeries can all cause dry eye. Simply aging on its own can lead to dry eye, as tear production lessens as we get older.

Alternatively, some vision correction procedures have a temporary side effect of dry eye. LASIK eye surgery, for example, can decrease corneal sensitivity, thus reducing the blink reflex and diminishing the eye’s ability to reconstruct the tear film. Dry spots may form on the tear film as a result, leading to some irritation during the early post-laser surgery period.

There are also many medical conditions and medications that can alter tear production. Taking antihistamines, decongestants, and antidepressants may slow down tear production.

Oddly, excess crying can also be a sign of dry eye syndrome. Meibomian gland dysfunction leads to excessive water tears, as these glands are responsible for the oily component (meibum) of tears. Your eyes produce more of the aqueous component in an attempt to stay moist. However, the tear film evaporates more quickly because it lacks meibum.

The Physical Causes of Dry Eye:

• Sjögren’s syndrome
• Lupus
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Scleroderma
• Diabetes
• Thyroid conditions
• Vitamin A deficiency
• Blepharitis
• Meibomian gland dysfunction
• Tear duct damage
• Antihistamines and decongestants
• Antidepressants
• Hormonal changes
• LASIK eye surgery
• Aging

Lifestyle Factors

Many of the choices we make on a daily basis can lead to dry eyes, such as excessive screen time. Computer Vision Syndrome is a result of using digital devices for long periods, and can cause eye dryness and irritation. We blink less often when focused on a computer, cellphone, or tablet screen, which dries out our eyes.

Reduced blinking also occurs when reading, driving, or performing detail-oriented tasks. Consequently, anyone with a job requiring prolonged visual focus may experience dry eye.

Additionally, smoking, being around smoke often, and wearing contact lenses can have a similar effect.

Environmental Factors

Lastly, dry eye can also be brought on by certain environmental factors. Dry air from air conditioning in summer or heating in winter can be enough to dry out your eyes. Extreme cold or heat, altitude levels, forest fire smoke, dust, and pollen are other possibilities. Even in these cases, however, your dry eye symptoms can still be treated.

What are the symptoms?

The tear film facilitates blinking by keeping the eye lubricated. That’s why one of the most telling symptoms of dry eye is uncomfortable blinking. Your eyes might itch, sting, burn, ache, or feel scratchy, sandy, or gritty. Some individuals feel that there is something in their eyes, even when there isn’t.

Redness and tiredness are two more common symptoms. As your eyes are irritated and inflamed, they become increasingly more red. Eye fatigue is a result of the chronic, low-level inflammation associated with an unstable tear film.

Dry eye can also make you more sensitive to light and make you squint when doing visually demanding tasks. Some also experience blurred vision and frequent headaches.

What dry eye syndrome treatments are available?

There are many highly effective types of therapies and treatments for dry eye. Even in cases of chronic dry eye disease, you can still improve your day-to-day comfort dramatically with proper care. To determine the best treatment for your dry eyes, speak with your optometrist.

• Artificial tears: Over-the-counter and prescription eye drops lubricate the cornea’s surface to provide relief from irritation. However, over-the-counter options tend to be less effective at stabilizing the tear film than prescription alternatives. In severe cases, your doctor may prescribe short-term steroid drops.
• Punctal plugs: These tiny plugs (they’re the same size as a grain of rice) slow down the draining of tears by blocking the tear ducts, leaving more tear film available. They can be semi-permanent or dissolvable.
• Prescription medications: You can take prescription medications to reduce eyelid inflammation, control cornea inflammation, or stimulate tear production.
• Lifestyle changes: You can often reduce dry eye symptoms by using a humidifier, taking breaks from prolonged screen use, changing medications, getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, and quitting smoking. Introducing omega-3 supplements into your diet can also help.

Dry Eye Treatment From Clearview Vision Institute

LipiFlow® Thermal Pulsation Treatment

Clearview Vision Institute specialises in LipiFlow® Thermal Pulsation Treatment for dry eye syndrome. It is used to treat meibomian gland dysfunction, specifically. The process uses Vector Thermal Pulse Technology™ (VTP) to unblock the meibomian gland in just 12 minutes. It uses precise thermal heat to remove any gland obstructions while protecting the cornea, eyelid, and other delicate structures.

This dry eye treatment is drug-free, minimally invasive, comfortable, and quick! Furthermore, it requires little to no downtime following treatment and reduces or eliminates dependence on daily eye drops. You will experience long-lasting relief from dry eye symptoms after your LipiFlow® treatment!

Schedule an Exam for Dry Eye Syndrome

Clearview Vision Institute is a global leader in vision correction and eye health procedures. We specialize in LipiFlow® as a highly effective and minimally invasive treatment for dry eye syndrome.

If you are suffering from persistent dry eye, please contact us and take the first step towards great natural vision. One of our talented doctors can diagnose your condition and create a customized dry eye treatment plan designed specifically for your needs.

To request more information on treatment for dry eyes, call Clearview Vision Institute today at 647-493-6371 or contact us here.