What is dry eye syndrome?
Dry eye syndrome (or dry eye disease) is a condition that happens when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or if the quality of your tears isn’t quite right. When the tear supply is reduced or of poor quality, your eyes can feel itchy and uncomfortable as they won't be able to moisten your cornea. Tears are an important part of your eye health as they help to keep your eyes moisturised, protect them against infections.
What causes dry eye syndrome?
Dry eye syndrome can happen for many reasons, including any or a combination of the following:
- A blockage in the glands of the eyelid that supply the important oily layer of tears (known as meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)) – without this layer (the lipid layer), the tears evaporate quicker, causing the eyes to dry out.
- Blepharitis – inflammation of the eyelid and around the eyelashes, which can also disrupt the glands responsible for producing the parts of the tear film
- Age – as we get older, our eyelids don’t spread tears across the eyes as well when blinking and the glands which supply the components of our tears can become less efficient (similar to when our skin dries more with age)
- Wearing contact lenses
- Working in an office or air‑conditioned environment
- Eye strain – staring at a screen for a prolonged time means that we don’t blink as efficiently.
- Being in a hot or windy environment
- Certain underlying medical conditions, like diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis.
- Alcohol usage – alcohol can dehydrate the body and therefore reduce the volume of tears your eyes produce.
- Hormonal changes — recent research found that 86% of women were unaware of the link between eye health and menopause. Fluctuations in oestrogen can cause hormonal dry eye.
Dry eye syndrome symptoms
Dry eye syndrome usually manifest in both eyes through various symptoms, which may include:
- Dryness: A persistent feeling of dryness or grittiness in the eyes, often described as a sensation of having something in your eye.
- Redness: The eyes may appear red or bloodshot due to irritation caused by insufficient lubrication.
- Watery eyes: Paradoxically, dry eye syndrome can sometimes lead to excessive tearing as the eyes try to compensate for the lack of adequate lubrication.
- Burning or stinging sensation: The eyes may feel like they are burning or stinging, particularly after prolonged periods of reading, using screens, or being in windy or dry environments.
- Blurred vision: Vision may become temporarily blurred, especially during activities that require prolonged focus, like reading or using a computer.
- Contact lens discomfort: especially at the end of the day.
More severe complications can lead to sensitivity to light, causing discomfort when exposed to bright lights or sunlight.
Prevention and treatment
It’s fairly straightforward to treat dry eye syndrome and make your eyes feel more comfortable.
- Applying a heated eye mask to closed eyelids, twice a day for 5 minutes, can help to soften and loosen any blocked oil in the glands along the eyelid that supply oil into your tears. After you take off the eye mask, use a clean finger to gently massage your eyelids towards your lashes – this helps to get the oil flowing from the glands.
- Cleaning your eyelids each day with lid scrubs, wipes or foams can help to remove bacteria, debris and oil that can lead to blockage of the glands and dry eye syndrome.
- Using preservative‑free dry eye drops (lubricants) can ease the symptoms. These drops can be used as often as needed, depending on your symptoms. Usually, you’d start using them two or three times a day. Dry eye drops will help with the symptoms, but it’s important to target the underlying causes of dry eye by carrying out steps one and two!
- If you’re a contact lens wearer, it can sometimes help to take a break from wearing your lenses or change to a different lens material. You could also use contact lens‑friendly dry eye drops onto your lenses before you apply them each day, and then apply them during the day while you’re wearing your lenses.
If it’s thought that dry eye syndrome is caused by a medication you’re taking or an underlying medical condition, you should discuss this with your GP. If medication is aggravating symptoms, your GP may try switching you to an alternative.
It has now been recognised that having a diet rich in Omega‑3 fatty acids can help to manage dry eye syndrome. Omega‑3 nutritional supplements can be effective as well.
Avoiding smoky or very dry air‑conditioned environments as much as possible can help with the symptoms of dry eye syndrome.
Dry eye drops
Dry eye drops provide some welcome relief from dry eyes as well as some extra comfort for contact lens wearers. Ask your trusted Spec-Savers Optometrist for options available at Spec-Savers.
