Dry Eyes

Understanding Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry Eye Syndrome is a term used to describe the reduction in your eyes' ability to naturally produce tears. There are over 10 million Americans who suffer from dry eyes.

Your tears are made up of three different layers: a mucous layer to help the tears cover the surface of the eye, an acqeous layer that provides moisture, and an oil layer to help prevent evaporation. When one or more of these layers break down and are imbalanced, or when your eyes simply do not produce enough tears, dry spots may appear on the surface of the cornea (the clear front surface of the eye).

Dry eye is common among older people or those who use computers, contact lenses, or certain medications such as allergy medicines. People who are exposed to excess amounts of sun, wind, dust or smoke will often suffer from dry eye syndrome as well.

Common symptoms may include itching, burning, redness, blurred vision, a scratchy sensation, excessive watering, and general irritation and discomfort after long periods of reading, watching television, or driving.

Although dry eye syndrome cannot be cured, it can be treated with lubricating eye drops or certain oral medications to help alleviate symptoms so that your vision is not affected. Using a warm compress and performing lid scrubs two to three times a day may also help relieve discomfort. After soaking the eyes with a warm, damp, clean washcloth for several minutes, use a mixture of baby shampoo and water to gently scrub the eyelids and eyelashes to help improve lid hygiene and relive your symptoms.

If you use contact lenses, it is very important to follow your doctor's instructions on cleaning and disinfecting your lenses, since your contacts can sometimes absorb your tear film and cause a cloudy protein residue to form on the lens. Frequent use of artificial tears will help rinse the eye and provide moisture and relief.

DO I NEED VITAMINS FOR MY EYES?

The answer is maybe. Certain eye diseases such as dry eyes and macular degeneration can be helped with the use of certain vitamins and nutrients. Many of these are available over the counter or found in foods we eat. However, some of these same vitamins and nutrients if taken improperly can do more harm than good. This is especially true for smokers or patients on blood thinners. They can have interactions with other medications you take or cause some health conditions to get worse.

At The Kelly Eye Center, we pride ourselves in providing comprehensive ocular examinations including reviewing your current medications. After examining your eyes, we can determine whether vitamins or nutrients would be beneficial for you. Trust your eyes to the Kelly Eye Center and schedule your appointment for a comprehensive exam today.