What is dry eye syndrome?

  Dry eye syndrome is a condition in which your eyes do not produce enough tears or the tears do not have the normal chemical makeup.  10 million Americans suffer from dry eyes, of which more than half are women.

How are tears produced?

  There are two types of tears:

  Lubricating tears are produced while you are awake, keeping the eyes moist and clean and help fight infection.  The tear film contains layers of water, mucus, and oil.

  Reflex tears are produced in response to injury, irritation, or emotion.  They may even be produced in response to dry eye, when your eyes lack lubricating tears; so if you have dry eye syndrome, your eyes may be more watery than normal.

What causes dry eyes?

• The normal aging process
• Wind, smoke, fumes, and environmental conditions seen in malls, hospitals, arenas, indoor stadiums, fabric stores, large discount stores with dry air and drafts.
• Medications such as antihistamines, birth control pills, diuretics, anti-hypertensives, anti-depressants, beta-blockers, hormone replacement therapy, Lipitor, Accutane, and Visine or astringents
• Vitamin A deficiency (very rare in U.S.)
• Wearing contact lenses
• Diseases that reduce tear production, such as Rheumatoid arthritis, rosacea, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), leukemia, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, ocular pemphigus, Meibomian gland dysfunction, diseases that affect the auto-immune system, and Sjogrens syndrome.  Sjogrens (pronounced SHO-grins) syndrome affects 10% of all dry eye patients, and 90% of those affected are women.

How is dry eye syndrome diagnosed?

  Three tests are used to determine the presence and severity of dry eye syndrome.
  1) Schimers Test
  2) Slit Lamp Exam, using flouress or Rose Bengal dyes
  3) Tear microassay system

What is the treatment for dry eye?

  An awareness of the problem can provide considerable help.  Avoiding ceiling fans, air-conditioning vents, automobile vents, etc. can reduce some of the symptoms.  Blinking when you are reading, driving, sewing, watching TV, working on a computer, or doing any close work helps decrease evaporation of tears.  Decreasing sugar intake to less than 11 teaspoons per day can also help the symptoms.

  The use of artificial tears is the main treatment.  There are many varieties of artificial tears.  These are available without a prescription.  We will recommend how often you should use the drops as this can vary from one person to another.  If you have allergies to preservatives, there are non -preserved tears available.  Various types of drops, such as cyclosporin drops, tear gels and tear ointments, as well as pills, may be prescribed depending on the specific causes, symptoms, and severity of the dry eyes.  Often people also use a supplement, such as Hydroeyes from ScienceBasedHealth to improve the chemical balance in their eyes.  Facial masks, goggles, and wrap-around glasses also may help.

  Treating any underlying inflammation such as blepharitis, acne, rosacea, or meibomian gland dysfunction is essential and often will correct the symptoms of dry eyes.  Routine surgery is also an option.  Punctal occlusion is a procedure used to help dry eye patients and may provide longer-term relief.  This procedure closes the drains that draw tears from the eyes by inserting short acting or long acting plugs.  This keeps most of the fluids from being drained away and provides relief for a large number of patients.

What can I do to help prevent dry eye syndrome?

• Have annual eye exams.
• Make an appointment to see us immediately if you notice dry eye symptoms or any decline in your vision.
• Follow instructions given by the doctor for the treatment of dry eye.
• Reduce intake of sugar and/or artificial sweeteners. Consumption of more than 11 teaspoons of sugar per day has been linked to dry eye syndrome
  
  
  We invite you to explore the treatments of dry eyes through the following links:

http://www.eyecareamerica.org/eyecare/conditions/dry-eye/index.cfm

www.eri.harvard.edu/htmlfiles/dryeye.html