DRY EYE

Dry eye

Our eyes need tears to stay healthy and comfortable. If your eyes do not produce enough tears, it is called dry eye. Dry eye is also when your eyes do not make the right type of tears or tear film.

What causes dry eyes?

People tend to make fewer tears as they get older due to hormonal changes. Both men and women can get dry eye. However, it is more common in women—especially those who have gone through menopause.

Here are some other causes of dry eye:

• Certain diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome, thyroid disease, and lupus
• Blepharitis (when eyelids are swollen or red)
• Entropion (when eyelids turn in); ectropion (eyelids turn outward)
• Being in smoke, wind or a very dry climate
• Looking at a computer screen for a long time, reading and other activities that reduce blinking.
• Using contact lenses for a long time
• Having refractive eye surgery, such as LASIK
• Taking certain medicines, such as:
• Diuretics (water pills) for high blood pressure
• Beta-blockers, for heart problems or high blood pressure
• Allergy medicines (antihistamines)
• Sleeping pills
• Anxiety medicines
• Tell your ophthalmologist about all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you take.

Dry eye examination in Bermuda

The only way to know for sure is to have your doctor perform dry eye test. During an exam. Symptoms alone are poor predictors of the presence and severity of dry eye.

How do you treat dry eyes?

There are effective treaments for dry eye. In many cases artificial teards and nimor behaviotial modifications. Such as reducing time at a computer.

Other treatments can be done:

Adding tears

Your ophthalmologist might tell you to use artificial tears. These are eye drops that are like your own tears. You can use artificial tears as often as you need to. You can buy artificial tears without a prescription. There are many brands. Try a few until you find a brand that works best for you.

If you use artificial tears more than six times a day or are allergic to preservatives, you should use preservative-free tears. This is because if the tears with preservatives are used a lot, these chemicals may start to irritate your eyes.

Conserving tears

Your ophthalmologist may suggest blocking your tear ducts. This makes your natural tears stay in your eyes longer. Tiny silicone or gel plugs (called punctal plugs) may be inserted in your tear ducts. These plugs can be removed later as needed. Your ophthalmologist could also recommend surgery that permanently closes your tear ducts.

Increasing your tears

Your ophthalmologist might have you use a special eyedrop medication. This helps your eyes make more of their own tears.

Treating dry eye culprits

If your eyes are irritated, your ophthalmologist can treat those problems. They may recommend:

• Prescription eye drops or ointments
• Warm compresses on the eyes
• Massaging your eyelids
• Certain eyelid cleaners