1. Rehydration and Better Controls Over the Environment
In mild cases of dry eye syndrome, simple lubrication and humidification can be enough to stanch symptoms. Avoid ceiling fans, windy conditions, cigarette smoke, heaters and drafty rooms. You might also want to sleep with a special moisture patch over your eyes to prevent your corneas from drying out during the night.
2. Medication for Dry Eye Syndrome
A variety of meds can suppress the inflammation and volume of tear drainage and thus restrict symptoms. Steroids, immunosuppressant drugs and a solution of prednisolone can all be helpful in countering the condition. Similarly, a topical drug called cyclosporine A can assist with the treatment of severe dry eye syndrome. This drug reduces inflammation via a complex protein binding process. You can find generic alternatives to these brand-name immunosuppressants, steroids and topical treatments as well.
3. Use Special Contact Lenses
There's a brand of contact lens, called the Boston Scleral Lens, which can lubricate the cornea constantly to avoid evaporation of fluids. If you have a mild case of dry eye syndrome, you can simply apply eye drops and other ointments as symptoms present day to day.
4. Punctal Plugs
A punctal plug is a device that ophthalmologists use to gum up tear ducts to limit the amount of tear drainage that can occur. This device is often used only after medications and other therapies have failed. Many patients report significant relief using this method.
5. Surgery to Sew the Eyelids Partially Shut
In the most dramatic cases of dry eye syndrome, drug therapy, special contact lenses and home remedies may not be enough to reduce suffering. Doctors can perform surgery to restrict the surface area over which tear evaporation can occur.
