Everything You Should Know About Dry Eye

1. Everything You Should Know About Dry Eye Our eyes' comfort and well-being depend on tears. Dry eye develops when the eyes don't produce enough tears. The inability of your eyes to produce the right kind of tears or tear film is another indication of dry eye. How Do Tears Form? When you blink, a film of tears forms across your eyes. This keeps the surface of the cornea smooth and clear. The tear film is necessary for sharp vision. There are three levels to the tear film: •A greasy coating •A moist layer •A coating of mucous Each layer of the tear film has a certain purpose. The greasy layer is the outermost layer of the tear film. It evens out the surface of tears and prevents them from drying out too quickly. The meibomian glands in the eye produce this layer. The watery layer is the intermediate layer of the tear film. It makes up most of what we see as tears. This layer purges the lens of foreign things in the eye. The lacrimal glands in the eyelids create this layer. The mucus layer is the innermost layer of the tear film. It disperses the watery layer over the eye, keeping its surface moist. Tears would not stick to the eye without mucus. The mucus secretes from the conjunctiva, the clear tissue that covers the whites of the eyes and is inside the eyelids. Usually, in order to stay wet, our eyes continuously produce tears. Tear production is increased when our eyes are inflamed or when we cry. Occasionally, though, the eyes may not generate enough tears, or there may be an issue with one or more tear film layers. In such circumstances, we get dry eyes.

2. Why Do My Eyes Feel So Dry? These are a few signs oftre dry eyes: •Your eyes seem to be burning and stinging. •Hazy eyesight, particularly when reading •There is a sensation of something being in your eye like it feels scratchy or gritty. •Your eyes have mucus strings in them or around them. •You have red or inflamed eyes. This is particularly true when you are exposed to wind or smoke from cigarettes. •Putting on contact lenses hurts. •Your eyes are filled with tears. Having a lot of tears in your eyes while you have dry eyes may appear odd. On the other hand, more tears are generated when dry eye discomfort aggravates your eyes. What Are Dry Eye's Primary Causes? Hormonal changes cause people to cry less often as they age. Men and women can both suffer from dry eyes. Nonetheless, women are more likely to experience it, particularly those who have gone through menopause. Other causes of dry eye are listed below: •A few illnesses, including lupus, thyroid disease, Sjögren's syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis •Blepharitis (redness or swelling of the eyelids) •Entropion (eyelid turning inward); ectropion (eyelid turning outward) •Being in an extremely dry climate, the wind or smoke •Long-term computer screen staring, reading, and other activities that cause blinking to decrease. •Wearing contact lenses for long-term •Undergoing refractive eye surgery (LASIK) •Using specific medications, like: •Diuretics (water-based to lower blood pressure) •Beta-blockers for hypertension or heart conditions •Antihistamines for cold remedies and allergies •Sleeping tablets •Antidepressants and anxiety medications

3. •Medications for heartburn Inform your ophthalmologist of all your medications, including prescription and non- prescription. How Can Dry Eye Be Identified? Your ophthalmologist will examine your eyes first. They will examine the surface of your eyes as well as your eyelids. They'll also examine your blinking pattern. The diagnosis of dry eyes can be made with a variety of tests. Your ophthalmologist could conduct an examination to gauge the caliber or volume of your tears. They might also take a look at how quickly you cry. Is Dry Eye Reversible? •Adding Tears to Treat Dry Eyes Your dry eye specialist near me may instruct you to use artificial tears, which are eyedrops similar to your tears. Artificial tears are available without a prescription and can be used as often as necessary. Preservative-free tears are better if you use artificial tears more frequently than six times a day or have a preservative allergy. This is due to the possibility that the preservative-infused tears will irritate your eyes. •Conserve Tears to Stop Dry Eyes The dry eye specialist near me might advise clogging your tear ducts. Your natural tears linger in your eyes longer as a result of this. You may have punctal plugs- tiny silicone or gel plugs inserted into your tear ducts. If necessary, these plugs can be taken out later. Additionally, your ophthalmologist might advise surgery to seal off your tear ducts permanently. •Increase Tears to Heal Dry Eyes Your ophthalmologist may prescribe eye drop medicine for dry eye disease treatment. This encourages your eyes to produce more tears.

4. Handling the Causes of Dry Eyes Your ophthalmologist can treat issues related to inflamed eyes. They might advise: •Prescribed ointments or drops for the eyes •Compresses with heat for the eyes •Rubbing the insides of your eyes •Specific eyelid cleanser Tips for Preventing Dry Eyes •Avoid using a hair dryer. •Avoid entering extremely heated rooms. Instead, place a pan of water close to the radiator or heater. Use a humidifier to bring moisture into the air during the winter. •Wear wrap-around glasses to shield your eyes from the drying breeze when you are outside. •Do you wake up with dry, itchy eyes? Before bed, apply thick eye drops or artificial tear ointment. Dry eye syndrome is a common yet often overlooked condition that can significantly impact your quality of life. Regular eye check-ups and personalized care can go a long way towards ensuring your eyes remain healthy and comfortable. Shri Venkatesh Eye Institute is committed to providing you with the best eye care solutions tailored to your specific needs. The team of specialists will help you navigate the complexities.