DRY EYE DISEASE

SHEDDING A LIGHT ON DRY EYE DISEASE
Dry eye disease happens when the eyes do not make sufficient tears to keep the eyes lubricated. When this happens, you may feel discomfort within the eyes, making it difficult to see. Dry eye disease is a common ailment, affecting millions of people in America alone annually.

 

WHAT ARE THE PREVALENT SIGNS OF DRY EYE DISEASE?

Dry eye disease can lead to the following symptoms:

  • A scratchy sensation in the eyes
  • Burning sensation in the eye
  • Hazy vision
  • Red discolouration of the eyes

 

You are, unfortunately, highly susceptible to dry eye disease if you fall under the following categories:

  • Over 50 years of age
  • Female
  • Continuously wear contact lenses
  • Don’t receive sufficient vitamin A
  • Suffering from underlying health conditions (Sjögren syndrome or Lupus)

CAUSES OF DRY EYE DISEASE

Dry eyes can occur for various reasons and are normally due to poorly functioning glands that cannot secrete sufficient tears.

In addition, dry eyes occur as a result of the following:

  • The tears dry up quickly
  • The tears are unable to keep the eyes wet for long enough
 
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TREATMENT FOR DRY EYE DISEASE

Treatment depends on the cause of dry eye disease. For example, there are various forms of treatment to relieve your symptoms and keep the eyes healthy and lubricated.

The treatments available include the following:

  • Eye drops purchased over-the-counter relieve mild forms of dry eye disease. Ointments, gels or moisturisers can also be bought to alleviate discomfort from dry eye disease. 
  • Prescription medications are used to relieve a more severe form of dry eyes. For example, Lifitegrast and cyclosporine are forms of prescription eye drops that enable the eyes to create more tears. 
  • Healthy lifestyle changes are done to reduce an unhealthy environmental effect on the eyes. For example, you must avoid triggers such as exposure to smoke, wind or unhealthy air conditioning that may exacerbate dry eye disease. 
  • Tear or punctual plugs are placed in the tear ducts, which are small holes in the eye corners.
  • Surgery to correct the eyelids when the lower lids are too lax increases the speed at which tears drain from the eyes. 

Different types of technology form part of a comprehensive dry eye treatment plan, such as the following:

  • Intense pulsed light (IPL) is known to alleviate dry eye Originally, IPL was the go-to dermatological treatment for various skin conditions such as rosacea, skin lesions and acne.
  • IRPL® Dry Eye Treatment is a periocular application that involves the use of Intense, Regulated Pulsed Light for dry eyes. 

FAQ

1How do dry eyes occur?
Underlying illnesses such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, Graves’ disease, and scleroderma can cause dry eye disease.
2How do you treat dry eye disease?
Non-prescription eye drops help moisten the eyes, and it also helps to wash the eyelids more frequently.
3Does dry eye disease last long?
Dry eye disease can last a few hours or months. Sometimes, the condition may become permanent.