Site icon Turkey Istanbul Medical

What is Dry Eye?

Turkey Istanbul Medical
Dry Eye

What is Dry Eye?

Dry eye is a common condition that occurs when tears fail to provide the necessary moisture for the eyes. Tears can become insufficient to moisturize the eyes for many reasons.

While insufficient tears can cause dry eyes, poor tear quality can also contribute to dryness. This condition can be temporary or chronic. Chronic dry eye means the problem has persisted for a long time.

In chronic cases, symptoms may improve occasionally, but the dry eye does not completely disappear. Chronic dry eye usually occurs when insufficient tear production occurs.

This may be due to rapid tear evaporation. There is also the possibility of inflammation in or around the eye.

Temporary dry eye is usually caused by environmental factors. Symptoms arise from wearing contact lenses or prolonged exposure to a dry environment. Chronic dry eye is usually due to another underlying condition.

Diseases of the eye glands and skin around the eyes, as well as allergies, can all cause chronic dry eye. Despite all this, there are many methods for treating dry eyes.

What is The Structure of The Tear Film?

The tear film consists of three different layers. The tear layers, known as the aqueous layer, lipid layer, and mucous layer, have different functions. The primary function of tears is to improve vision by providing a smooth and transparent environment.

The three layers that make up the tear film and their functions are as follows:

This is the inner layer. It coats the eye surface while also ensuring the retention of tears. This allows the tears to spread more evenly and adhere more easily to the eye surface. Therefore, the function of the mucous layer, produced by goblet cells, is of great importance.

The aqueous layer is the middle layer. This layer makes up most of the tears. It is secreted by the lacrimal glands, also known as the tear glands. It not only keeps the eye surface moist but also cleans and nourishes it.

The lipid layer is the outer layer. It prevents tears from evaporating. It consists of oily substances. These oils completely coat the tear surface, reducing evaporation. This allows the tears to remain on the surface.

The mucus, lipid, and aqueous layers combine to form the tear film. Thanks to these layers, the eyes continue to function more healthily. The tear film helps prevent various eye conditions, especially dry eyes.

What Causes Dry Eyes?

What causes dry eyes? The answer to this question encompasses many factors, from lifestyle to systemic diseases. The causes of dry eyes can generally be categorized under two main headings: decreased tear production and rapid tear evaporation.

  1. Decreased Tear Production:

The function of the tear glands declines with age.

An autoimmune disease that affects the tear and salivary glands.

It can reduce tear production, causing dryness.

Production may decrease due to hormone levels, especially in women during menopause.

Many medications, such as antihistamines, antidepressants, blood pressure medications, and birth control pills, can reduce tear production.

  1. Rapid Evaporation of Tears:

Factors such as wind, low humidity, air conditioning, and cigarette smoke.

Blinking frequency decreases, which increases evaporation.

Improper eyelid closure prevents the eye’s surface from being protected.

Irritates the eye’s surface, triggering dryness.

Increases exposure to wind and light. The condition usually occurs due to a combination of more than one of these factors. A thorough evaluation by an ophthalmologist is essential for a correct diagnosis.

What are The Types of Dry Eye?

Dry eye is a condition caused by decreased tear production or rapid evaporation of tears. There are different types of this condition, each with different mechanisms.

  1. Decreased Tear Production (Aqueous Deficient Dry Eye):

This type of dry eye occurs when the tear glands fail to produce sufficient tears. The primary function of tears is to keep the surface of the eye moist and maintain eye health. Without adequate tear production, the surface of the eye becomes dry, causing discomfort.

Tear production can naturally decrease with age.

This autoimmune disease damages the tear glands, reducing tear production.

Chronic diseases such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis can negatively affect tear production.

  1. Increased Tear Evaporation (Evaporative Dry Eye):

Increased tear evaporation occurs when the tear film covering the eye surface does not remain in place long enough. This may be due to the poor quality of the tear film’s lipid (oil) layer. The lipid layer protects the eye surface by preventing tear evaporation. When this layer is compromised, tears evaporate quickly, resulting in dry eyes.

The Meibomian glands in the eyelids secrete oil into the tear film. Blockage or underactivity of these glands increases tear evaporation.

Environmental factors such as wind, dry air, and air-conditioned environments can cause rapid tear evaporation.

Prolonged contact lens wear can disrupt the tear film and accelerate evaporation.

  1. Mixed Dry Eye:

In some cases, dry eye can develop as a combination of both decreased tear production and increased tear evaporation. This mixed type of dry eye can be more difficult to treat and often causes more severe symptoms.

What are The Symptoms of Dry Eye?

Dry eye is a condition that occurs when the surface of the eye is not kept sufficiently moist and usually manifests itself with both physical and visual symptoms.

The Most Common Symptoms of Dry Eye

  1. Stinging or Burning Sensation:

A feeling of discomfort, as if something is in the eye (a feeling like a grain of sand)

A slight burning or pins-and-needles sensation in the eyes.

  1. Redness:

Spotted capillaries may become visible as the eyes become irritated.

  1. Fatigue or Heaviness in the Eyes:

This increases especially at the end of the day or after long periods of looking at a screen.

  1. Light Sensitivity (Photophobia):

Discomfort in bright light

  1. Blurred Vision:

Temporary vision disturbances may occur because the tear film is not distributed evenly.

  1. Watery Eyes (Reflex Tears):

Due to dryness, the eyes try to protect themselves by watering excessively.

Often mistakenly mistaken for “excess tears.”

  1. A Feeling of Stickiness or Heaviness in the Eyelids:

This is especially noticeable upon waking in the morning.

  1. Discomfort When Looking at a Screen for Prolonged Periods:

The frequency of blinking decreases, which increases dryness.

  1. Crusting or Inflammation in the Eyelid Edges:

If accompanied by meibomian gland dysfunction or blepharitis.

What are The Progressive Symptoms of Dry Eyes?

There are also progressive symptoms of dry eyes. These include:

Who is Most Affected by Dry Eyes?

Dry eyes can occur in both men and women of all ages. In postmenopausal women, due to hormonal imbalances, dry eye symptoms increase due to a decrease in the number of fluid-secreting glands in the body.

Evaporation-related dry eye complaints are common in office workers. One of the contributing factors is the prolonged use of computers in the office environment.

This is because people staring at computer screens for long hours experience a decrease in reflex blinking, causing the tears on the surface to evaporate. Indeed, people who focus on computer screens for hours may only have their eyes open for 10-15 seconds.

This accelerates the evaporation process in air-conditioned and dry environments. As a result, evaporative dry eye can occur. People who do not suffer from dry eyes blink their eyes every 3 seconds and the secreted tears are distributed evenly in the eyeball.

How is Dry Eye Diagnosed?

If someone complains of burning, stinging, or dryness in their eyes, they should not ignore this problem and should definitely have an eye examination.

A series of tests are necessary to diagnose dry eye. Tear volume can also be measured using a “fluorescein tear test” or “lissameine green streep tear strips,” which are dyes used to stain tears with special dyes.

After determining the amount of tears and the time of tear breakup, a test should also be performed to determine whether there is any inflammation in the eye. A tear osmolarity test can be very helpful in diagnosing dry eye.

Corneal topography, assessing the dryness islands, and imaging the meibomian glands in the eyelid are crucial in making a decision. Treatment is determined after identifying the deficient tear production parameter.

What is The Treatment for Dry Eye?

  1. Artificial Tear Drops (Artificial Tears):

This is the most commonly used treatment.

  1. Warm Compress and Eyelid Massage:

  1. Omega-3 Supplements:

  1. Humidifying Environment and Lifestyle Changes:

  1. Using Eye Protective Goggles Indoors:

Less Frequent but Increasing Applications

  1. Punctal Plugs (Tear Duct Plugs):

The openings of the tear ducts (puncta) that drain tears from the eye are usually temporarily, or sometimes permanently, closed with very tiny silicone plugs. This procedure is extremely simple, and the plugs are easily placed in the examination room under eye drop anesthesia.

  1. Anti-Inflammatory Eye Drops:

If the cause of dry eye is surface inflammation, cyclosporine drops or cortisone drops can be used as treatment options.

Xiidra (lifitegrast) eye drops are prescribed to treat dry eye syndrome. The eye drops are usually available in single-dose containers, administered once a day, with one drop in each eye. In dry eye syndrome, your body doesn’t produce enough tears, or the tears it produces don’t keep your eyes moist.

  1. Serum Eye Drops (Autologous Serum):

New Technological Methods Used in Dry Eye Treatment

In addition to the methods mentioned above, there are some other prominent methods for treating dry eyes.

These methods can be listed as follows:

These devices provide specialized cleansing of the eyelid, removing debris around the eyelid.

New technology warm compress devices can be used to stimulate the eyelid glands.

Microwave and thermal applications can be used to prevent blockages in the meibomian glands. These methods are preferred new approaches to reducing dry eye syndrome.

This is one of the latest technological treatments used in dry eye treatment, in addition to eye drops.

Lipiflow treatment aims to unblock the meibomian glands, which are located vertically on the upper and lower eyelids and secrete the oily part of tears. It is a treatment aimed at addressing the cause of dry eye. Light Modulation Mask:

This mask uses a special light source to stimulate the glands in the eyelids and increase tear production. A light modulation mask applies a special light source to the eyelid.

This treatment is often used to treat blockages in the eyelid glands. While it’s a form of light therapy, it’s also used to increase tear quantity and quality.

What Should You Consider for Dry Eyes?

Along with dry eye treatment, there are certain precautions that individuals should take.

These precautions may include:

One of the most significant symptoms of dry eyes is dryness. Therefore, keeping your eyes moist with moisturizing drops or gels is crucial. It’s recommended that people with dry eyes keep their eyes moist, especially in closed, dry environments or during prolonged computer use.

Dry eyes can also be linked to your dietary habits. Certain nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids, can help moisten the eyes. Increasing your water intake can also help moisturize your eyes.

Cigarette smoke can cause your eyes to dry more quickly. It’s recommended that people with dry eyes avoid secondhand smoke.

Wind, dust, or airborne pollution can cause your eyes to dry more quickly. Therefore, wearing glasses, especially in sunny or windy weather, can protect your eyes.

Prolonged computer use or television viewing can reduce your blinking rate. This can cause your eyes to dry more quickly. It’s recommended that people with dry eyes practice blinking frequently or rest their eyes for short periods.

People with dry eyes should pay particular attention to eye hygiene. Keeping your eyes clean and regularly washing your hands after contact with your eyes can reduce the risk of infection and provide more relief for your eyes.

In addition to treating dry eyes, your eye doctor also monitors your overall eye health. Therefore, it’s important for people with dry eyes to see your eye doctor regularly.

Exit mobile version