Dry eye syndrome is a chronic lack of sufficient lubrication to your eyes. According to the Mayo Clinic, it is characterized by symptoms such as burning, itching, irritation, intolerance to contact lenses, and sensitivity to light, wind or smoke. Because of the various types of discomfort presented by this condition, it can become a major impediment to quality of life. It may be caused by environmental factors, certain medications and hormonal changes associated with menopause. There are many products, both prescription and over-the-counter, that can address the symptoms of dry eye. Talk to your doctor about which may be right for you.
Underlying Cause
When considering the best product for your dry eyes, your doctor will most likely want to understand the origins of the condition in your particular case. According to the Mayo Clinic, treatment may be as simple as eliminating or replacing a medication that is the cause. Your doctor might also consider eyelid conditions or autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis or Sjogren's syndrome. In such cases, you might be referred to a different specialist for further treatment. If your contact lenses are aggravating the problem, the doctor may also recommend a change of lens or lens wear regimen.
Prescription Medications
There are a wide variety of prescription-strength products currently available for the treatment of dry eyes. The Mayo Clinic notes that your doctor may suggest antibiotics to decrease inflammation of your eyelids, or medications designed to reduce corneal swelling. According to All About Vision, eye drops may be prescribed to help your eyes generate more tears. Another option is artificial tears, which your doctor might prescribe to relieve itching and irritation and moisten your eyes. All About Vision cautions not to use artificial tears while your contact lenses are in.
Over-the-Counter Products
Although some over-the-counter products may provide relief from eye dryness, you should take care in selecting the most suitable product. All About Vision reports that popular anti-redness eye drops provide temporary relief from redness, but provide very little lasting benefit. Moreover, such drops can become "addictive," in the sense that their blood vessel-constricting mechanism becomes diminished with use, requiring more product to achieve the same result. For milder cases of dry eye, All About Vision notes that you might find relief from contact lens rewetting drops.
Other Interventions
Other products used in the alleviation of dry eye symptoms seek to address the problem by preventing the draining of tears from the eye. Your doctor can insert punctal plugs, which are made of silicone, into your eye's lacrimal glands. A similar product is inserted inside your lower eyelid and provides a continued-release lubrication. The Mayo Clinic reports that a more aggressive approach to dry eye syndrome is the use of thermal cautery, a procedure that uses heat to close your tear duct.
Environmental/Lifestyle Considerations
All About Vision notes that there are several lifestyle and environmental modifications you can make to reduce your dry eye symptoms. Foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids may be beneficial to those who suffer from dry eye symptoms. All About Vision recommends eating salmon, sardines, herring or cod liver oil, or taking an Omega-3 supplement. You might also derive benefits from using an air cleaner in your home to filter out dust and other irritants. A humidifier can also provide some relief by keeping the air moist, All About Vision notes.
