Q:
What is it?
A: Dry eye is a condition of the eye where either too few tears
are produced, or tears drain too quickly from the eye. Dry eye
is a common eye problem. As we age, our eyes produce fewer tears...on
average about 60% fewer at age 65 than at age 18. Thus older
adults often suffer from dry eye, as do pregnant and menopausal
women. It must be remembered, however, that dry eye is a relatively
common condition which can and does affect all ages and background,
regardless of sex.
Dry eyes often occur in patients with arthritis. Medications
and Vitamin A deficiency may also cause dry eyes by reducing
tear secretion. In addition, environmental factors such as sun,
wind and smoke contribute to the onset of dry eyes. Finally,
an overly large punctum (drainage channel) or abnormal eyelid
location may cause dry eyes.
Q: Can children get it?
A: Yes.
Q: Is aging a factor?
A: Most
definitely!
Q: Does it run in families?
A: No.
|
Q: What
are the signs and symptoms?
A: Patients
with dry eye often complain that their eyes feel gritty, itchy
and dry. Other common symptoms include burning, stinging,
redness, stringy mucous and sensitivity to light. Patients
with dry eye may also have difficulty wearing contact lenses.
Watering of the eye may also be a symptom, as excess tears
are produced in response to the irritation. These excess tears
lack the oil necessary to keep them from evaporating and,
therefore, do not function to lubricate the eye.
Dry eye
is often diagnosed by simply examining the eyes. Sometimes
tests which measure tear production may be necessary, such
as the Schirmer Test, which measures the rate of tear production
under various circumstances.
Q: How is
it treated?
A: Artificial
tears are the most common form of treatment for dry eye. Slow
release medicine inserted just inside the lower lid which
gradually releases moisture during the day is also helpful.
Difficulty opening the eyes in the morning may be treated
with an ointment at bedtime. Using a humidifier to add moisture
to the air and avoiding smoke, wind and other irritating conditions
may provide relief. Soft contact lenses may also be used to
keep moisture on the surface of the eye, thus providing the
needed moisture and lubrication. In some cases, the punctum
may be permanently sealed to keep the tears from draining
out of the eye too quickly. The punctum may be blocked by
the insertion of permanent punctum plugs or by surgical techniques
or lasers. |
