Dry eye treatment for lubricated and healthy eyes

Dry eye is a condition of the eyes in which the eyes do not produce sufficient tears or the tears produced are of inferior quality and thus, are not able to provide adequate moisture to the eyes. A condition of dry eyes may lead to puffiness of the eyes, burning and itching sensation, and general discomfort in the eyes. Dry eye treatment brings relief and for this, you may have to visit your eye doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

What is dry eye?

When you experience extreme dryness in your eyes due to a lack of lubrication because your eyes are not producing tears or they are producing poor quality tears that cannot moisten the eyes, it maybe that you suffer from dry eyes. It is a type of allergy that is widely prevalent among Australians. An estimated survey says over two million Australians suffer from this condition. Also, it has been found that one in ten adults is affect by this allergic reaction in Australia.

Factors that cause dry eyes

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction is the primary medical condition that causes dry eyes. Meibomian glands produce an oily substance that prevents the evaporation of moisture from the eyes. A blockage in the meibomian glands lead to dry eyes condition. Dry eye treatment due to meibomian gland dysfunction can be effectively done with the help of a few home remedies such as eye compresses and gentle eye massage. If you consult an eye doctor, he may prescribe an eye drop to keep your eyes lubricated. If that does not help, a small procedure may be carried out by the ophthalmologist to treat the blockage in the meibomian gland.

Other factors that may cause dry eyes are:

• Climate variations such as dry air, and low humidity

• Pollution

• Allergens like pollen dust

• Old age

• Menopause

• Hormone therapies

• Diseases such as arthritis, scleroderma, or Sjogren syndrome that affect tear production in the eyes

• Working for long hours at the computer

• Certain medicines such as antihistamines, oral contraceptives, antidepressants, and antipsychotic drugs

Symptoms of dry eyes

If you experience the following conditions, it may mean that you have dry eyes and require appropriate dry eye treatment.

• Eyes feel itchy and sting

• They are red and swollen

• You are sensitive to light

• Unclear vision at times

• Buildup of mucus

• Uncomfortable sensation of a foreign particle being stuck in the eye

Treatment procedures for dry eyes

There is no permanent cure for this condition called dry eyes.  With proper dry eye treatment, however, the condition can be kept within manageable limits. If not treated, there is a chance that the disease may worsen. This may even lead to cornea damage. So, when you experience the above-mentioned symptoms, you must go to your eye doctor for a consultation.

Dry eye treatment depends on the severity of the disease that you have. Most treatments focus on improving both the quantity and quality of tear production and preventing the excessive evaporation of moisture from the eyes.

• Frequent blinking of the eyes creates pressure on the oil glands in the eyes and allows the flow of oil onto the eye surface

• Lifestyle changes that include staying adequately hydrated at all times, and stop smoking as it negatively impacts the condition

• Lubricating eye gels and eye drops are most commonly used for dry eye treatment

• Taking alternative medicine of certain drugs that may cause the side effect of dry eyes

• Supplements containing omega fatty acids that reduce the inflammation and maintain the tear film

• Antibacterial wipes and ointments

• Punctal plugs: they are very small biocompatible devices that are fitted into the tear ducts. This is done to stop the removal of moisture, increase the tear film of the eye, and retain more moisture

• Only in very severe cases of dry eyes, surgery is carried out.

• Intense Light Pulse therapy: For patients with Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, this dry eye treatment procedure is recommended. In this procedure, the dysfunction of the gland is treated with the help of light pulses that are calibrated and homogeneously sequenced. The therapy enables the meibomian gland to function normally as the blockage is effectively removed.

Conclusion

If you suffer from dry eyes and if it is mild, you can get relief with the help of home remedies, but otherwise for effective dry eye treatment, contact your ophthalmologist. Neglecting the condition for long may be detrimental to your eyes in the long term.