NORDEN

Have you ever felt like something was in your eye when it wasn’t? Have your eyes felt sticky, hot, or irritated for no discernable reason? If so, you could be one of the millions of Americans who suffer from dry eye syndrome. Luckily, there are steps you can take to get this uncomfortable condition under control.

What is Dry Eye Syndrome?

The human eye is meant to be moist. Many people never have a problem keeping their eyes moisturized. But people with dry eye syndrome fight a constant war against dryness. Their eyes feel irritated and scratchy, especially when they find themselves near wind or smoke. Allergy medications and dehydration can contribute to the problem. Contact lenses and LASIK are also known to make dry eyes worse.

While some environmental factors can worsen the effects of dry eye syndrome, the root cause is usually insufficient tear production. Other cases are caused by irregularities in the eye that cause tears to be whisked away before they can be put to good use.

Dry Eye Diagnosis

Your eye surgeon or ophthalmologist will be able to diagnose dry eye syndrome if it’s present. The diagnosis itself isn’t very sophisticated; most people who feel like they have persistently dry eyes really do have them. To make a more firm diagnosis, your doctor might use a tear test to measure your tear production over time.

Dry Eye Treatment

When dry eye syndrome is diagnosed, doctors typically begin treatment by recommending eye drops. These can be mild “artificial tears” drops, or more potent prescription-strength drops that stimulate tear production and reduce swelling that might be interfering with the eye’s ability to moisturize itself.

For more serious cases of dry eye syndrome, punctual plugs can be inserted into the drain openings of the patient’s lower eyelids. This creates a vacuum whenever the patient blinks, drawing tears into the eye. Some punctual plugs are permanent, while others dissolve after a period of time. For the very worst cases of dry eyes, surgery might be required to seal the drainage channels permanently.

There’s no doubt that dry eye syndrome is an annoying condition. But it’s seldom very dangerous, and lots of treatment options are available. Ask your doctor to recommend a good regimen for you.