Dry Eyes Syndrome – Symptoms, Causes, and Management Options

Whenever you blink, a teary film forms over your eyes. This film comprises three layers: an oily one, a mucous one, and a watery one. These layers of tears keep your eyes moist, clean, protected, and, above all, healthy. In dry eyes syndrome, the eyes lose the ability to make either a single or multiple layers of such tears. This syndrome causes eye infections, long-term damage, blurred vision, and other complications. Symptoms of dry eyes syndrome Here are some of the common signs that are indicative of dry eyes syndrome: A burning sensation and constant pain in the eyes. A nagging feeling of having something stuck in the eyes. Reddened eyes and sensitivity to light. Blurry vision, even in well-lit surroundings. Difficulty while reading or sitting at the laptop for longer periods. Eyes getting tired quicker than they used to. Frequent itchiness in one or both eyes. Causes of dry eyes syndrome Some of the causes of dry eyes syndrome are common activities that you may be doing daily. Some of the causes of the condition are: Exposure to dry air If you frequently sit or work near an air-conditioner, table fan, or heater, your eyes will be exposed to the dry air emitted by them. Long-term exposure to dry air or wind causes your eyes to lose their moisture and smoothness. Staring at a screen for hours Most people working in desk jobs continuously use laptops or desktop computers for hours, with few breaks in between. Your screen usage decreases the number of times you blink, resulting in incomplete blinking, the evaporation of tears, reduced tear formation, and, inevitably, dry eyes. Allergies People who are allergic to pollen grains and other airborne particles are more likely to develop dry eye syndrome compared to those without allergies. Seasonal allergies cause inflammation in the tear ducts, resulting in dry eyes in people. LASIK eye surgery The laser-guided surgery involved in a LASIK procedure causes corneal nerve damage. This damage directly affects the tear-producing ducts and reduces the eyes' ability to produce the teary layer that protects your cornea. Ocular Rosacea Ocular Rosacea is a condition in which the Meibomian glands, the parts that produce an oil that prevents tear evaporation, stop working normally. Ocular Rosacea causes dry eyes syndrome and also accompanies it. When a person has dry eyes syndrome and ocular rosacea, their eyes produce too few tears, and even those evaporate too quickly. Tear gland inflammation Chronic tear gland inflammation causes permanent damage to the tear glands and may even cause vision loss in individuals. The main indicators of tear gland inflammation are eye swelling and a burning sensation in the eyes. Corneal nerve damage Corneal nerves send impulse signals to the brain for regular and healthy tear production. Any damage in the corneal nerves, through LASIK surgery, injuries, or radiation exposure, reduces the production of tears in the eyes. Blinking less often Tear layers form in your eyes when you blink. So, if you blink less frequently, the tear ducts will not have enough opportunities to form tears. Therefore, blinking normally, even when you are deeply engrossed in an activity, is advisable. Vitamin A deficiency Vitamin A is essential for the normal functioning of glands in your conjunctiva. The deficiency of Vitamin A prevents the smooth functioning of these glands and causes your cornea to dry very quickly. Treatment options for dry eyes syndrome Multiple treatment options can repair the tear formation mechanism of your eyes. Some of the treatments are: Optical surgery The surgical alternative involves the permanent closing of the ducts that drain your tears into your nose. This method allows more tears to remain around your eyes. Before performing this surgery, a healthcare professional will administer a local anesthetic on an outpatient basis. Autologous serum drops Healthcare providers use this treatment option for patients with severe cases of dry eyes. In this method, artificial tears made from the patient's blood are given to them up to 6 to 8 times a day in both eyes. Although this treatment is highly effective, it is also an expensive alternative and generally not covered by insurance or Medicare. Temporary punctal occlusion In the temporary punctal occlusion treatment, doctors close off the ducts that drain tears off the patient's eye. In that aspect, this treatment is somewhat similar to the surgical method. In this temporary treatment, the doctors insert a dissolvable plug into the tear drain of the lower eyelids. The plug dissolves in a few minutes. This procedure helps doctors to understand whether permanent plugs will reduce the symptoms of dry eye syndrome in individuals. Permanent punctal occlusion If the temporary procedure is successful, doctors follow it up with permanent treatment. In the permanent punctal occlusion treatment, doctors use silicone plugs to close the tear drains permanently. These plugs hold the tears produced by tear glands in and around the eyes. The plugs perform this function for as long as they are in place. Eventually, the plugs may come out on their own when the tear ducts produce more tears. This is a more comfortable treatment option for patients and reduces the need for expensive artificial tear-based treatments. The plugs used in this procedure are known as lacrimal plugs. Foods to prevent dry eyes syndrome Here are some foods that address your dry eyes condition: Leafy greens Leafy greens are rich in Vitamin C, a nutrient that keeps the eyes healthy. Also, leafy greens contain folate, an element that prevents vision loss and dry eyes. Vitamin C is also found in collards, spinach, and kale. Fish Fish contains the all-important omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce tear duct inflammation. The most nutritious fishes are salmon, tuna, and herring. Omega-3 fatty acids are also found in oysters. Beans Consuming beans benefit a person's health in many ways, but beans are also substantial for eye health. They contain folate and zinc. Having enough zinc is essential because it helps produce melanin, which protects your eyes from damage. This is vital in treating dry eye, especially from sun damage.