Greetings!
When I recently Googled the term "dry eye," I received 29,000,000 results! Wow, that is a huge number! There has been an explosion in the awareness and understanding of dry eye syndrome (DES) over the past decade. In this issue of In Focus, I will discuss this common and sometimes life-style changing disorder.
|
 Do You Have Dry Eye Syndrome? |
Depending on the study, it is estimated that 10-20% of the general population has dry eyes. Now that the heating season is upon us, dry eye symptoms will worsen as indoor humidity drops.
Dry eyes are not only uncomfortable, they can also lead to blurred vision in more severe cases. Many people are unaware they have dry eyes.
Now the good news! While there is currently no cure for DES, we can treat your symptoms. |
| Dry Eye Syndrome 101 |
Anatomy of the Tear Film
As you can see, the tear film is actually comprised of three layers. These three layers work together to allow your eyes to maintain clear, comfortable vision. Dry eye is the breakdown of one or more of these layers.
Common Causes of DES
- Chronic inflammation
- Aging
- Acne Rosacea
- Auto-immune diseases such as Sjogren's, Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Numerous medications
- Environmental conditions such as sun, wind, allergens and indoor heating
Treatment Options
We will carefully examine your eyes to see which factors are causing your DES. Here are some of the most common treatments:
- Artificial tears: these help with mild dry eye. Avoid those OTC products with a redness-remover as they may actually worsen your symptoms.
- Warm compresses and lid massage: this will help increase the oily layer of the tear film.
- Nutritional supplement therapy.
- Antibiotic drops: to help reduce bacteria and inflammation.
- Steroid drops: helps reduce inflammation in severe dry eyes.
- Tear duct plugs: helps maintain tear volume.
- Restasis: the only medication that actually increases production of your natural tears.
If you think you have these symptoms, there is no need to suffer. It is my privilege to help patients with dry eyes improve their quality of life. |
