Dry eye syndrome is a condition with symptoms that range from mild eye irritation and itching to eye redness, blurriness and even loss of vision. The eyes become sensitive to light and may feel like there is grit in them. According to ophthalmologist Dr. Steven L. Maskin, the eyelid plays an important role in the development of dry eye. Rates of dry eye are increasing due to several contributing factors.
The Roles of Tears and Blinking
Eyes become dry when the tear ducts do not produce enough tears or the tears evaporate so quickly they do not remain long enough to adequately bathe the eye. According to Dr. Maskin, tears lubricate the eyeballs. When we blink the eyelids spread the tears over the eyes clearing away dust, other irritants and bacteria. People with dry eye syndrome may have lacrimal glands that don't produce enough watery tears, inflammation may disrupt gland function or there may be inadequate amounts of mucus needed to makes the tears stick to the eye's surface.
Lifestyle Factors
Many modern day lifestyle factors impact eye function. Spending hours in front of a television, computer screen or driving can contribute to decreased blinking, eye strain and dry eyes. Increasing numbers of people wear contact lenses, and they can cause injury, decrease nerve sensation on the surface of the cornea or decrease blink rate. According to the AllAboutVision website, dry eyes are the most common complaint among contact lens wearers. Air conditioning, use of hair dryers and heat or fans blowing directly on the eyes may all contribute to dry eyes. In addition, cigarette smoke and air pollution provide eye irritants that contribute to dry eyes. Marc Grossman, author of "Natural Eye Care" reports that forty percent of dry eye patients are smokers and that many commonly used medications such as antihistamines, codeine, oral contraceptives and decongestants can trigger dry eye.
Diseases and Disorders
According to the National Institutes of Health, dry eye syndrome is more common in older people because they produce fewer tears. Women prove especially vulnerable after menopause. Dry eye syndrome can occur with certain diseases and disorders such as Parkinson's, glaucoma and cataracts that are more common amongst older people. According to MayoClinic.com, as people age they may experience conditions where the eyelids turn outward--ectropion or inward--entropion. Both conditions can cause dry eyes. Sjogren's syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disease that the Sjogren Syndrome Foundation describes as causing dry mouth and eyes as well as affecting several organs and the central nervous system. The vast majority of its victims are women. Dr. Maskin reports that other diseases that can cause dry eyes include other autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or diabetes, ocular herpes, strokes, rosacea and Graves disease.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Vitamin A deficiency causes dry eyes, although this is rarely a cause in the United States. According to AllABoutvision, vitamin A deficiency can also cause night blindness, swollen eyelids and proves a leading cause of blindness in developing countries. According to Dr. Maskin, simply increasing one's water intake may control dry eyes. He also suggests reducing caffeine as another beneficial remedy, since it drains water out of the body. Dr. Grossman recommends the following nutrients to treat dry eyes: Vitamins A, B6, Folic acid, C, E, potassium, calcium magnesium and zinc. In addition, consuming omega-3 fatty acid by eating fish or flaxseed is important in the treatment of dry eyes.
Lasik Surgery
Lasik--which stands for Laser in Situ keratomileusisis--surgery is performed to correct visual acuity impairments such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. According to Dr. Maskin, many people elect to have this surgery because they already have dry eye syndrome and find contact lenses uncomfortable. However, the dry eye syndrome will often worsen rather than improve after LASIK because the surgery may impact the corneal nerves. Dr. Maskin recommends that any dry eye problem be treated so that the cornea remains smooth and healthy before a patient undergoes refractive surgery.
References
- Sjorgren's Syndrome Foundation: About Sjogren's Syndrome
- MayoClinic.com: Dry Eyes
- National Institutes of Health: Dry Eye Syndrome
- "Reversing Dry Eye Syndrome"; Steven L. Maskin, M.D.; 2007
- "Natural Eye Care"; Marc Grossman, O.D.; 1999
