What Causes Dry Eye and What You Can Do About It?

Dry eye is an uncomfortable condition that causes eyes to become red and itchy and can range from being a mild annoyance to a potentially debilitating condition. Dry eye occurs when your tears are unable to provide adequate lubrication to the eyes. Tears not only keep the surface f the eye moist but also wash away dust, debris, and microorganisms that could harm the cornea or lead to an infection. This means that insufficient tear production or poor-quality tears are likely to leave your eyes sore, red, and vulnerable to infection.

Dry Eye

But what exactly are the dry eye causes that have got you feeling so uneasy? A normal tear film consists of three essential components, an oily (lipid) component, a watery (aqueous) component, and a mucous-like (mucin) component. Each of these components serves an important purpose, with the tear lipids keeping the tear film from evaporating, and the mucin spreading the tears across the surface of the eye. Each component is produced by different glands on or near the eye. The Meibomian glands are responsible for the oily component, the lacrimal glands secrete the watery component, and the goblet cells produce the mucin component. If there is an issue with any of the sources of these tear film components, you might experience tear instability and dry eyes. The type of dry eye syndrome you have will depend on which of these components are affected and will require tailored treatment accordingly.

If the Meibomian glands are at fault, you will experience a condition known as Meibomian gland dysfunction. This consists of your Meibomian glands not being able to produce enough oil to prevent the tear film from evaporating, resulting in Evaporative Dry Eye.

The Lacrimal glands could instead be the culprit behind your dry eye syndrome. The Lacrimal glands may be failing to produce enough watery fluid to keep the eyes moistened, resulting in a condition called Aqueous Deficiency Dry Eye.

Blepharitis is another condition that can reduce the quality or amount of your tears, thereby resulting in dry eyes. Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelid near the eyelashes due to the blockage of surrounding glands. In addition to causing other uncomfortable symptoms, blepharitis also hinders tear production and therefore keeps your eyes dry.

Environmental factors can also exacerbate symptoms of dry eye. Air conditioners can dry out the air in a room, also causing your eyes to feel drier. Not blinking enough, such as when looking at a screen, also results in reduced tear production. Sometimes, dry eye syndrome simply develops as we age or undergo menopause.

Once a professional has determined the precise cause of your dry eye syndrome, you’ll be able to receive tailored treatment. Some medications and treatments for dry eye include:

Dry Eye

• Drugs that reduce eyelid inflammation, such as antibiotics or medicated eyedrops and ointments.
• Prescription eye drops to reduce cornea inflammation with the immune-suppressing medication known as cyclosporine or corticosteroids.
• Eye inserts that act as artificial tears. Placed between your lower eyelid and eyeball once a day, the eye insert will dissolve slowly to release a substance that lubricates the eye.
• Drugs that increase tear production, known as cholinergic. These are available as pills, gels or eyedrops.
• Procedure to close tear ducts, which helps to prevent tear loss.
• Removable silicone plugs to prevent tear loss.
• Contact lenses designed for people with dry eyes that protect the surface of your eye and retain moisture.
• Procedures to unblock the oil glands, which can be done using LipiFlow thermal pulsation. During this treatment, a gentle, warm massage is applied to the lower eyelid using a device that looks like an eyecup. The heat generated by LipiFlow works to unblock the Meibomian glands and stimulate normal tear production.
• Light therapy and eyelid massage using IPL (intense pulsed light therapy). IPL stimulates blocked glands to promote normal functioning, reducing the uncomfortable symptoms of dry eye.

If you’ve had enough of putting up with dry eye, visit a reputable optometrist to discuss your dry eye treatment. After identifying the specific cause of your dry eye, you will be able to receive tailored treatment that will provide the most favorable results.

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