What is dry eye ?
In a healthy eye, tears are responsible for the perfectly smooth ocular surface which allows clear vision. Tears also clean and lubricate the eye. Every time we blink, a fresh layer of tears, called the Tear lm, spreads over the eye.
The Tear lm is important for keeping the eye moist and comfortable. Sometimes, the eye may stop producing enough tears or tears evaporate too quickly. This common and often chronic condition is referred to as dry eye syndrome.
Common Dry Eye Symptoms
Tear Film
Our tear film has three layers
Our tear film is made up of three layers – an oil (lipid) layer, a water (aqueous) layer and a mucin layer. These three layers work together to help maintain the health of our eyes and ward off infection. When any part of the tear film isn’t functioning properly, you may start to experience one or more Dry Eye Symptoms
Oil (lipid) layer
The Outer Layer of our tear film is an oil or lipid-based layer. Its main purpose is to seal the tear film which helps reduce evaporation of our natural tears.
Water (aqueous) layer
The Middle Layer is mostly comprised of water. Its job is to lubricate the eye, wash away particles and prevent infection.
Mucin layer
The Inner Layer is the mucin layer. The mucin layer allows the watery layer to spread evenly over the surface of the eye and helps the eye remain moist and lubricated. This layer helps the tears stick to the surface of the eye.
Dry Eye Causes
There has been a veritable explosion in understanding the causes of dry eye.
Life style – staring at computer screens, televisions, or electronic readers for long periods of time, exposure to air conditioning, wind, smoke, and dry climates
Age – dry eye syndrome often gets worse as we age Gender – women are more likely to develop dry eyes
Other factors – long term use of contact lenses, refractive eye surgery, some medications, medical conditions, such as, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, thyroid
Dry eye treatments
A variety of options are now available to help people who suffer from dry eyes.
Current approaches include advanced artificial tear eye drop formulations, prescription eye drops that increase tear production and reduce inflammation, and new approaches to effectively treat meibomian gland dysfunction, which is now understood to play a primary role in most dry eye cases.
Dry eye treatment can now be targeted to address the underlying cause of the problem. Some patients suffer from a lack of tear production, others from excessive evaporation of their tears
For evaluating the dry eye and ocular surface disease and measuring the quality and quantity of the tear film, your eye doctors at Civil Optical, will create a personalized plan for treatment. Our doctor can more accurately assess the precise cause and severity of your dry eye. Using this detailed information, they can recommend the best course of treatment to address your specific problem.
It affects your quality of life!
The level of discomfort is increased if you wear contact lenses or live in a dry climate. Paying attention to dry eye symptoms is important. If left untreated it may become so severe that it interferes with work and normal life activities.
