Definition of Dry Eye Syndrome

Tears are essential to ocular health because they assist in keeping the eye moist, washing out dust and debris and neutralizing microorganisms in and around the eye. When dry eye syndrome occurs, the eye is incapable of producing a sufficient amount of tears, or the tears are made of chemicals that cause them to evaporate immediately. If you suspect dry eye syndrome, it's important to see a physician right away. If properly diagnosed, a patient with dry eye syndrome can make a full recovery.

Significance

• Dry eye syndrome is a disorder of the film where tears are normally produced. This condition results in decreased tear production, an abnormality in the production of mucus typically found in the tear layer, or excessive tear evaporation. Although most patients who suffer from dry eye syndrome experience pain and discomfort, no long-term vision loss is expected. However, if patients suffer from severe dry eye syndrome--in which the eye cannot close properly--many serious side effects can occur. These include significant drying of the surface of the eye, scarring and serious infection that may lead to vision loss.

Symptoms

• A patient suffers from dry eye syndrome if he experiences persistent eye dryness, or a sensation of burning or scratching in the eye. These symptoms are often sufficient for a doctor to diagnose dry eye syndrome. However, additional symptoms include "foreign body sensation," in which it feels as though an object has interceded the eye, or excess water in and around the eye. A physician may perform a Schirmer test, a procedure that attempts to measure the amount of tears in a patient's eye, using a thin strip of filter paper placed at the corner of the eye. Patients may also experience a dry, gritty or filmy feeling in the eyes, blurred vision, light sensitivity or eye redness. These symptoms may worsen in dryer climates or in windy conditions, and often become more severe at the end of the day or after prolonged periods of high activity for the eyes such as reading, using a computer or watching television.

Causes

• Dry eye syndrome can be caused by a variety of conditions. Although the disorder occurs naturally as part of the aging process, particularly afflicting women in menopause, it can also occur as a result of strong medications including antidepressants, antihistamines, blood pressure medicines, Parkinson's medications and oral contraceptives. Dry eye syndrome can also occur if the patient lives in a dry, dusty or windy location. Air-conditioning systems and dry heating systems also trigger dry eye syndrome, because they indirectly cause the eye to dry out. Patients who don't blink regularly--particularly those in front of a computer all day while at home or in the office--also have a heightened risk of developing dry eye syndrome. The disorder is also a symptom of systematic illnesses--including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, rosacea or Sjogren's syndrome, the latter a triad of dry mouth, dry eyes and rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. Wearing contacts for too long may also causes dry eye syndrome, as can incomplete closure of the eyes or eyelid diseases.

Treatment

• There are many treatments available that help to minimize pain and quicken the recovery process. However, each patient's case is individual and requires different measures. For mild to moderate dry eye syndrome, patients are advised to use a humidifier and lubricating eye drops (otherwise known as "artificial tears"), and a visit to the physician's office isn't necessary. Companies such as 20/20 Tears, Comfort Tears, Celluvisc, Dry Eyes, Refresh, Tears Naturale and Murine all create artificial tear solutions that help hydrate the eye. Surgery is often recommended for more severe cases of dry eye syndrome so that the eye doesn't dry out. One procedure, called punctal occlusion, helps to decrease the normal drainage of your tears off the eye, down the back of the nose and into the throat. This procedure is relatively simple and takes only several minutes. Another procedure involves placing different punctal plugs in the tear drainage to block the steady flow of tears from leaving the eye. The most severe surgery involves having the tear drains permanently closed, generally by burning (cautery) or laser treatment. This procedure, however, is extremely difficult and expensive, and the results are irreversible.

Prevention

• Although dry eye syndrome can't be prevented, the side effects can be reduced if the afflicted eye is taken care of properly. This includes decreasing ceiling fan speed to avoid excessive air movement, using an air filter in dusty rooms, putting warm compresses on the eyelids and applying lubricating drops to the eye four times a day. If watching television, reading or using a computer, it's helpful to take frequent breaks to allow the eyes to relax. Some patients found that using a humidifier to moisturize the air also helped and made the afflicted eye more comfortable.