Dry eyes what to do

Under current working and living conditions, the eyes are affected by many different factors, not always positive. For this reason, questions such as dry eyes, causes and treatment are becoming increasingly relevant can vision deteriorate in this condition or not? In order to give a complete answer, we need to consider the essence of the problem.

Why do eyes become dry?

A topic such as “Dry Eyes: Causes and Treatment” concerns many ordinary people. Often the cause of such manifestations is a pathological condition called “xerophthalmia”. The essence of this problem comes down to insufficient hydration of the conjunctiva and cornea of ​​the eyes due to a deficiency of tear fluid and instability of the tear film.

This film covers the front surface of the eye. Its thickness is approximately 10 microns. The key task of this film is to protect the eye from environmental influences, including various small foreign bodies and dust. Moreover, it is with its participation that the cornea is supplied with oxygen and nutrients, due to which a natural immune defense against infections is formed.

Structure of the tear film

When studying dry eyes, the causes and treatment of this disease, it is worth paying attention to the structure of the tear film, which consists of three layers:

— The deepest is the mucin layer. It is produced by goblet cells of the conjunctiva. In addition, the cornea is covered with this layer, due to which its surface is even and smooth. The main function of this layer is to retain the tear film itself on the corneal epithelium.

- Water layer. It is produced by the lacrimal glands. This layer consists of dissolved electrolytes and biologically active substances. It supplies the epithelium of the conjunctiva and cornea with oxygen and nutrients. Moreover, thanks to the water layer, metabolic waste, carbon dioxide molecules and epithelial cells that have died off are removed.

— Lipid layer. It is produced by the meibomian glands and coats the outer surface of the aqueous layer. Its key function is to protect the eyeball and ensure gliding of the upper eyelid. It also prevents excessive heat transfer from the epithelium of the aqueous layer and its evaporation.

As part of the topic: “Dry Eyes: Causes and Treatment,” you need to pay attention to the fact that every 10 seconds the tear film breaks, stimulating blinking. As a result, the tear fluid is renewed, leading to the restoration of the film.

In one minute, approximately 15% of the entire tear film is renewed. In this case, 8% evaporation occurs.

Dry eye syndrome can develop if the above-described tears have multiple forms. Various factors lead to ruptures of this type: impaired secretion of mucins, tear fluid and lipids, as well as very rapid evaporation of the film itself.

Causes of dry eye syndrome

There are various conditions in which there is a decrease in tear fluid production. The most common ones include the following:

— Endocrine disorders during menopause and perimenopause. We are talking about a deficiency of estrogen production.

— Severe neurological disorders, Parkinson’s disease, kidney disease, pregnancy, inflammatory eye diseases and various disorders of the visual organs, severe exhaustion, infectious and skin diseases.

— Autoimmune conditions (Sjogren's disease) and connective tissue diseases. In this case, it means uncontrolled growth of connective tissue in the body, accompanied by blockage of the excretory ducts of the lacrimal glands. The ducts are blocked by fibrous foci, which leads to disruption of the full production of tear fluid. As a result, it is incorrectly distributed throughout the cornea.

— When considering dry eyes, the causes and treatment of this disease, you need to pay attention to the negative effects of antiarrhythmic and antihypertensive drugs when taken for a long time. This practice can result in decreased body fluid production or dehydration. As a result, the total volume of tears decreases and their viscosity increases. The use of eye ointments and drops that contain anticholinergics, beta-blockers and anesthetics can negatively affect the production of tear fluid.

— Various conditions that result in the inability of the eye to close completely can also lead to dryness. For complete hydration, the eyelids must close completely.

- Using contact lenses that are the wrong size or of poor quality.

Properly selected contact lenses do not contribute to the development of myopia, but can affect changes in the tissues of the ocular surface, which is often accompanied by discomfort and dry eye syndrome. A comprehensive solution helps - the use of ophthalmic gel and eye drops.

Korneregel gel helps eliminate the causes of discomfort. It contains carbomer on a soft gel base, which maintains complete hydration, and dexpanthenol, which has a healing effect. When taking Korneregel, you should remove contact lenses or, using a gel for prevention, apply it at the end of the day, at night.

Those who feel discomfort and dryness throughout the day should choose Artelak Balance drops, which combine a combination of hyaluronic acid and vitamin B12. Hyaluronic acid forms a film on the surface of the eye that provides hydration. The moisturizing effect of hyaluronic acid prolongs the special protector. Vitamin B12 is an antioxidant that protects cells from damage by free radicals.

For those who experience discomfort occasionally and usually towards the end of the day, Artelak Splash drops containing 0.24% hyaluronic acid are suitable.

There are contraindications. You need to read the instructions or consult a specialist.

Disruption of rest and sleep patterns and environmental factors can also play a negative role in the development of dry eye symptoms.

The cause of dry eyes in the morning may have a lot to do with one or more of the factors mentioned above.

In general, the development of dry eye syndrome is more common for people living in climate zones that require the use of air conditioning and heating systems. This is due to the fact that exposure to dry air causes fluid to evaporate from the surface of the eyes.

Who is at risk

When considering dry eyes, the causes and treatment of this disease, it is important to determine who should be wary of such a problem. First of all, this disease can manifest itself in residents of megacities, since the level of air pollution has a direct impact on the incidence of dry eye syndrome.

Residents of high mountain areas may also face a similar problem. As for living conditions that can affect the condition of the eyes, these include long-term work at the computer. According to research, more than 70% of women and 60% of men who work in an office at a PC have problems with the function of the lacrimal glands.

The topic “Dry eyes - causes and treatment at the age of 50” is also relevant.,since women in this age category experience a decrease in estrogen levels in the blood. This, in turn, leads to insufficient hydration of the eye.

Dry eye syndrome - symptoms

In most cases, the symptoms of this problem are unclear, but sometimes, due to the development of complications, quite noticeable disturbances in well-being may appear.

We are talking about the following signs of the disease:

- sticking of the eyelids in the morning

- a feeling of “sand in the eyes” and dryness, which can increase during the day

— while blinking, clarity of vision is lost.

If the eyes in this condition are exposed to heat or smoke, the severity of the symptoms may be significantly higher.

This disease also has more severe forms of manifestation:

- severe pain in the eyes that is difficult to endure

- increased sensitivity to light

- significant redness of the eyes that does not go away for a long time.

In some cases, even corneal injury is possible. Therefore, if such symptoms appear, you should consult a doctor.

Treatment methods

If dry eyes occur, the causes and treatment in children and adults should be determined by a qualified physician. Therefore, diagnostics are initially carried out: cytology of a smear from the conjunctiva, analysis of tear fluid, biomicroscopy, as well as Norma and Schirmer tests (with their help, the rate of formation and subsequent evaporation of tear fluid is determined).

Once the cause of the disease is determined, various treatment methods can be used, from artificial tears to surgery.

Within the framework of the topic “dry eyes, causes and treatment,” drops deserve special attention, since with their help they can neutralize the problem at various levels of development.

Doctors often prescribe medications that restore a stable tear film on the surface of the eyes. If you have to deal with a mild form of the syndrome, drops with a low viscosity level are often used. If the patient has a moderate and severe form, then drops and gels of medium (“Lakrisin”) and high viscosity (“Oftagel”, “Vidisik”, “Korneregel”, “Lakropos”) are prescribed.

It is worth noting that gels with high viscosity turn into a liquid state during the blinking process. This allows you to ensure the desired level of corneal hydration.

Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agents

Dry eyes often cause inflammation. In this case, antibiotics and immunosuppressants may be prescribed. We are talking about such medications as hormonal drops "Dexamethasone", "Oftan", "Maxidex" and drops with cyclosporine "Restasis".

When studying dry eyes, causes, treatment and effective effects on this problem in general, you need to pay attention to antibacterial agents. They are used to neutralize inflammatory diseases, which often cause dry eyes. We are talking about ointments with tetracycline and erythromycin. They are usually prescribed in a course of 7-10 days. They are used before bedtime.

There are other methods that can effectively treat dry eyes. Causes and treatment (reviews confirm this) often imply such an effective method of influencing the disease as an implantable container containing a tear replacement fluid. Install it in the lower eyelid.

Surgical exposure

There are several types of minor surgeries that can affect dry eyes. If they are successfully completed, normal production and maintenance of the required amount of tear fluid is restored.

An example is occlusion of the tear ducts, which drain fluid from the eyes. If they are blocked, the liquid will begin to accumulate on the outer surface of the eye, which leads to its moistening. To block the ducts, plugs are used, which are removed if necessary. This procedure is not complicated, but it can significantly improve the patient’s condition.

If after this operation the problem has not been solved, cauterization of the tear ducts can be used.

Traditional methods

There are several other methods that are worth mentioning when studying the topic of dry eyes - causes and treatment. Folk remedies can be used to overcome many common diseases, and this syndrome is no exception.

Several recipes can be cited as examples of this approach:

- Chamomile decoction. You need to brew chamomile. Cotton pads are soaked in the resulting decoction and applied to the eyes for 10-20 minutes. It is advisable to do this while lying down.

- Tea lotions. The same principle is used with the use of cotton pads, only regular tea is brewed, and strong.

- Use of honey. This healing product is dissolved in water and used in the form of compresses.

In general, when studying dry eyes, the causes and treatment of this disease with folk remedies, it is worth noting that it is important not to forget about an integrated approach to the recovery process.

Prevention

In order to prevent the occurrence of dry eyes or consolidate the results of treatment, you need to follow a few simple principles:

- ensure that the humidity level in the house is approximately 30-50%

- use humidifiers during the cold season

- protect your eyes from direct air currents and especially strong winds

- use sunglasses.

conclusions

Obviously, dry eyes can result from a number of different factors. For this reason, both before and after treatment, it is important to ensure that the cause of the problem does not continue to have a negative impact on the lining of the eye.

What is dry eyes?

The outer surface of the eyeball should always be moistened. In the mucous membrane of the eye, special glands produce tear fluid.

When the eye blinks, tears are distributed evenly over the entire surface of the eye, forming a protective film. When tear production decreases or its composition changes, dry eyes develop.

Dry eyes are a subjective sensation that occurs due to a lack of eye hydration. Dry eyes are most common in women.

Dry eyes - symptoms

Symptoms include:

1. Feeling of burning and irritation
2. Occasional blurred or decreased visual acuity
3. Increased tearing, especially when reading, driving, or watching TV
4. The appearance of mucous, viscous, whitish discharge, especially in the morning
5. Photophobia
6. Inability to wear contact lenses

When should you see a doctor urgently?

Having the above symptoms does not mean that you have dry eye. However, if you have one or more of the above symptoms, contact your ophthalmologist immediately for a complete examination.

Causes of dry eyes

There are many reasons for this symptom:

Ocular causes

1. Refractive surgery (LASIK, keratoplasty, etc.) After surgery on the cornea, dry eyes may develop.
2. Eye drops. Many medications that are instilled over a long period can cause this symptom of dry eyes. These include steroid eye drops and drugs that reduce eye pressure.
3. Chronic blepharitis. The cause of a significant percentage of dry eyes is an insufficient amount of oily secretion, which is produced by the meibonium glands of the eyelids.

1. Lagophthalmos. Incomplete closure of the eyelids due to aging and sagging eyelid muscles or as a complication after eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)
2. Long-term wearing of contact lenses
3. Pregnancy
4. Vitamin A deficiency

General diseases

Diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, and herpes zoster lead to decreased tear production and the development of dry eye.

Hormonal changes

Hormonal changes associated with menopause are the main cause of dry eye development in women.

Constant use of medications

A wide range of medications can cause dry eyes (see Diuretics, beta blockers, sleeping pills, antidepressants, antihistamines).

Physical factors

Prolonged exposure to or exposure to harsh environmental conditions can lead to the development of dry eye.

Treatment for dry eyes

Dry eye syndrome is typically a chronic condition. In most cases, treatment results in improvement and relief of the eye condition.

Artificial tears

Artificial tear eye drops are similar in composition to our own tears. They moisten the eyes and help retain moisture.

Artificial tears are available without a prescription.

There are many options on the market, so you can try several to find the one you like best. In case of increased sensitivity of the eye mucosa and frequent instillation, it is recommended to use artificial tears without preservatives.

Temporary method of closing tear ducts

The tear ducts are temporarily closed with special plugs. They block the tear duct and the tear film in the eye becomes more stable, reducing dryness. Tears simply evaporate from the surface of the eye.

Gland massage

For chronic inflammation of the eyelids and insufficient production of oily secretions, massage of the meibonium glands is recommended.

What should you absolutely not do?

If you experience symptoms of dry eye, you should not:

1. take any medications on your own
2. instill vasoconstrictor eye drops without a doctor’s prescription
3. wear soft contact lenses

What happens if the symptom is not treated?

If the symptom of dry eye is not treated, complications such as inflammation of the cornea, corneal ulcer, and loss of vision may develop.

Treatment of dry eyes with folk remedies

Warm compresses. An alternative to massage is warm compresses on the eyelids to soften the secretion of the glands and facilitate its removal. Warm compresses are made from chamomile infusion.

Honey drops. In some cases, putting honey drops into the eye helps. Honey is diluted with boiled honey in certain proportions.

This method has contraindications for use. Therefore, be sure to consult your ophthalmologist before using.

Preventing dry eyes

If you have initial symptoms of dry eyes, you should do the following for prevention:

Blink more often

When using a computer, smartphone or other digital device, we tend to blink less often. As a result, dry eyes may develop. Make a conscious effort to blink frequently when using these devices. In addition, you can periodically close your eyelids completely and close your eyes to renew the tear film.

Take frequent breaks while using the computer

Make it a habit to look away from your screen every 20 minutes and look at something that is at least within your reach for at least 20 seconds.

Following this simple rule will not only prevent the development of dry eyes but also preserve your vision.

Avoid aggressive environmental factors

A person with dry eyes should avoid anything that may worsen these symptoms. For example, being in an excessively hot room, in the wind. Smoking causes the development of dry eye.

Tears evaporate faster in a hot room, like any other liquid. You can take steps to prevent evaporation. In winter, during the heating season, be sure to use a humidifier.

September 20, 2013

Dry eyes is a condition that occurs when the eyes are not sufficiently moisturized or lubricated by tear fluid. This condition is also called dry eye syndromeA, dry eye. Women are more likely to suffer from dry eyes.

How does dry eye occur?

Symptoms of dry eye in humans are primarily manifested by a persistent feeling of eye irritation and a burning sensation. The patient may feel as if there is a foreign object in the eyes - the so-called feeling of “sand in the eyes” appears. In this case, redness of the eyes and even dryness around the eyes may occur. Periodically, when a person has dry eye syndrome, a blurred image appears. Vision may sometimes deteriorate towards the end of the day, but there is no permanent deterioration of vision. With dry eyes, a person develops photophobia - unpleasant sensations appear in bright light.

In humans, the tear film consists of three layers. Basically, the middle layer contains water, as well as salts and proteins. It is produced lacrimal glands, which are located above the eye at the outer edge. When blinking, tear fluid is distributed over the surface of the eye, in this way the eye is moistened. The outer layer of the tear film is lipids, which highlight meibomian glands. Thanks to this layer, moisture does not evaporate and the tear film remains smooth. Conjunctiva covers the inner surface of the eyelid and secretes a mucous substance, which also helps distribute tear fluid evenly.

Dry eye is more common in older people. As a rule, older people are bothered by dry eyes in the morning. But in recent years, dry eyes have also become a common phenomenon for those young people who spend a lot of time in front of a computer monitor. Those who spend long hours in front of screens without breaks are particularly susceptible to dry eyes. There may be other causes of dry eyes - this phenomenon often develops when wearing lenses, especially if the person with contact lenses is in an air-conditioned room, exposed to wind. This may also cause dryness under the eyes.

Human eyes are moistened and lubricated by the presence of the tear film, which is formed by tear fluid. If the tear film becomes thinner or its normal composition is disrupted, the cornea of ​​the eye dries out, and, as a result, dry eyes develop. The eyes are highly sensitive to various irritants - smoke, dry air, bright light.

Why does dry eyes occur?

The reasons why the normal process of eye hydration is disrupted can be very different. Dry eyes occur as you age. The reason for this phenomenon is an age-related decrease in the secretion of tear fluid. As a result, it is not enough to sufficiently moisturize the eyes. Age-related changes in the composition of the tear film also occur. As a result, any unfavorable conditions provoke the manifestation of dry eyes in older people.

Dry eye syndrome in children and adults develops under the influence of certain medications. A number of medications with prolonged use cause as a side effect dry eye syndrome. Signs of dry eye may appear after taking diuretics, antidepressants, antihistamines, oral contraceptives, beta blockers and etc.

Sometimes dry eyes are a symptom of common diseases. This happens in some cases when rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus, Sjogren's syndrome etc. Some people experience incomplete covering of their eyes with their eyelids due to certain diseases. This can also lead to dry eyes. Another cause of dry eye syndrome is the presence of damage to the eyelids, the outer surface of the eyes, which appeared as a result of injuries, surgeries, and inflammation of the eyelids.

A separate broad cause of dry eyes is unfavorable conditions leading to too intense evaporation of tears. Dry eyes are observed in those who constantly live in conditions of too low air humidity, spend many hours in front of a TV, monitor, or microscope. When working with these devices, a person blinks much less often than usual, so the amount of tear fluid decreases. Dry eyes can be a problem in windy weather.

In some cases, doctors cannot determine the reason why young people produce less tear fluid and, accordingly, dry eyes.

Dry eye syndrome rarely leads to complications, but they can still develop over time. An inflammatory process of the conjunctiva or cornea may occur. When the inflammatory process is severe, ulcers appear on the cornea. If the eyes are constantly red, there is pain in the eyes, or persistent visual impairment develops, the patient should immediately consult a doctor.

How to get rid of dry eyes?

An ophthalmologist determines dry eye syndrome based on the presence of the main symptoms. But sometimes he may suspect that dry eyes are a symptom of another disease. In this case, the patient is prescribed additional examinations. There is a special test (Schirmer test), which can be used to identify dry eye syndrome. A narrow strip of paper is inserted under the person's lower eyelid. She stays there for five minutes. Depending on how wet it is, your doctor can determine whether you are producing enough tear fluid.

Dry eye treatment is carried out after eliminating all common diseases that could cause such a symptom. If the patient is diagnosed with a disease that provoked this symptom, then treatment of dry eyes is carried out as part of the general therapy of the disease. Typically, dry eye syndrome is treated using artificial tears and eye ointments. In more severe cases, when deciding how to treat dry eye syndrome, your doctor may recommend therapy with a more potent dry eye medicine. The fact that dry eye syndrome is curable becomes clear directly during the therapy process.

Dry eye drops are artificial tear preparations, which, as a rule, perfectly relieve all the symptoms of this syndrome. You can buy eye drops for dryness without a doctor's prescription. Initially, these drugs must be used frequently, almost every hour. But if a person notes that his health is improving, then gradually the number of instillations is reduced to 3-4 per day. Some people have to take drops for dry eye syndrome regularly to eliminate the symptoms of the disease.

If eye drops for dry eyes cause irritation or allergic reactions, then it is necessary to replace the drug with another one. Preparations containing benzalkonium hexachloride, with prolonged use can damage the cornea of ​​the eye. If we are talking about long-term use of such drops, it is best to replace them with a drug that does not contain benzalkonium hexachloride.

To relieve eye irritation, it is practiced to use eye ointments, which must be applied to the eyelid before bed. Such ointments are useful if a person has dry skin around the eyes. If such ointments are used during the daytime, they may cause blurred vision and reduce the effect of using eye drops.

During the treatment, drugs that activate the production of tear fluid can also be used. In more severe cases, the doctor prescribes surgical blocking of the outflow of tear fluid.

If dry eyes occur in a person who uses contact lenses, then this problem must be reported to the doctor who conducts preventive examinations. In some cases, replacing the lenses with a different type of contact lens or changing the care solution can solve this problem. The use of moisturizing eye drops can sometimes help reduce the symptoms of dry eyes when wearing lenses.

Working at a computer for long hours not only causes dry eyes, but also headaches and fatigue. All this leads to a noticeable decrease in performance and a feeling of severe discomfort. To avoid worsening the problem, you should follow some rules that can reduce such symptoms. If possible, you should minimize computer work, at least when possible. It is advisable to take a break of at least 15 minutes every hour. At this time, it is best to take a walk or do eye exercises.

Dry eye treatment folk remedies involves the use of lotions from infusions or decoctions medicinal herbs. For example, ordinary cotton pads can be soaked in freshly brewed strong tea and applied to the eyes for about 20 minutes. Treatment with folk remedies involves a similar use of chamomile decoction. No less useful folk remedies for dry eyes are special exercises. You should take a break from work and move your eyes left and right, up and down 10 times. It is useful to close your eyes tightly and move your gaze from one corner to another. Such actions in the gymnastics complex should also be done 10 times.

Another way to overcome dry eye symptoms is to use a regular burning candle. You need to light a candle and look at the burning flame for 10 minutes. With this relaxing exercise you can relax your muscles and overcome fatigue and tension.

Doctors recommend taking a walk in the fresh air, this should be done several times a day, and also if you feel severe eye strain.