Irritation, Redness, Dryness

Dry Eye

What is it?

Dry eye is one of the most common eye diseases today, which may be due to lifestyle and habits. This term does not usually refer to the disease itself, but in a condition which is characterized by symptoms of eye discomfort, such as irritation, redness, dryness, burning, foreign body or sand in the eyes, etc.

Causes

Dry eye is usually due to a problem in the quality and quantity of tears of our eyes. Tears are composed of three layers. The mucous layer which is crucial as is the base and the support of all the other covers the cornea. The aqueous middle layer which provides moisture, nutrients and oxygen. And finally the fat layer covering the external aqueous and protect from evaporation. Problem in any of these layers can result in the appearance of intolerance.

Causes of the symptoms of intolerance which is often mentioned environmental factors and lifestyle conditions, such as wind, sun, smoke, prolonged computer use, the overall adherence to screens, air conditioning and more.

In other cases, the discomfort can be a cause of conjunctivitis or allergy coexists. Ophthalmic surgery is still a leading cause symptoms of discomfort and one of the most common.

Also many drugs as nasal decongestants, antidepressants, glaucoma and many others can cause these symptoms.

 The use of contact lenses, hormonal changes during menopause, menstrual or pregnancy as well as the increase of age, at which occurs normal aging of the lacrimal glands, are some further causes.

Diseases such as Sjogren's syndrome and other autoimmune diseases can also cause the occurrence of intense and severe dry eye.

Treatment

Practically there is no treatment. The only easy and simple solution, which is sufficient for 99% of cases, is the alleviation of such symptoms using artificial tears.

 Of course it is always prudent, in any case, contact the ophthalmologist us, will help us to select the right solution for our problem. Each person is different, has different needs, and different severity of symptoms requires different treatment. It may even use the tear be combined with surgery, as is the occlusion of the lacrimal resources with specific caps.

In the market there are many different artificial tears, which differ between them and relieve the symptoms of intolerance to a greater or lesser time (affecting the dosage), ensuring additional benefits each, depending on the formulation.