DRY EYES

Are your eyes dry, red, and irritated at the end of the workday? You could be suffering from dry eyes.
Currently, 32% of the Indian urban population suffer from Dry eye disease in the age group of 21-40 years and it is expected that by 2030, it will increase to 45%.

Dry eye is a chronic condition which occurs if there is an insufficient supply of tears or if the tears evaporate too quickly. It is a progressive disease and if left untreated, can lead to serious vision problems and complications such as eye infections and damage to the surface of the eyes.

Dry Eye Symptom Checker

Foreign body sensation

Gritty sensation

Burning

Watery eyes or excessive tearing

Itching

Redness

Pain

Sensitivity to light

Foreign body sensation

Gritty sensation

Burning

Watery eyes or excessive tearing

Itching

Redness

Pain

Sensitivity to light

“Dry eyes” is one of the most common complaints in people who use digital devices extensively.

Causes For Dry Eye

A leading cause of dry eye is Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), where the glands don’t function properly either due to blockage or oil deficiency.

It occurs as a part of the natural aging process, as a side effect of dry, dusty or windy climate or medications. Air conditioning or a dry heating system in enclosed spaces can dry out your eyes.

Another cause is insufficient blinking, such as when staring at a computer screen or TV monitor all day.

Dry eyes may also be a symptom of systemic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus, Sjogren’s syndrome (a triad of dry eyes, dry mouth, and rheumatoid arthritis).

Other causes are incomplete closure of the eyelids, eyelid disease and a deficiency of the tear-producing glands.

Computer Vision Syndrome

Symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome are irritated/burning eyes, tearing and dryness, tired eyes and eye discomfort. The use of digital devices contributes to dry eyes. The blink rate (16-18 blinks per minute) decreases by half when our attention is focused on a computer monitor or smartphone. Blinking spreads tears across the front surface of the eye and this lubricates and nourishes the eyes. When the blink rate goes down by 50%, the tears evaporate and the eye becomes dry and irritated.

Treatment of Dry Eye

Dry Eye is a progressive disease and if left untreated, can lead to serious vision problems and complications such as eye infections and damage to the surface of the eyes. Avoiding the situations that are most likely to cause the symptoms can help you avoid Dry Eye issues. If you work on a computer or use one at home, school or anywhere else for an extended period of time, and are experiencing dry eye discomfort, it is important to seek proper eye evaluation and care.

LipiFlow Treatment

LipiFlow is the only device approved by the FDA to cure dry eye conditions. It removes the blockages from your meibomian glands so that they can produce oils that are necessary for your eyes to function properly. The process normally takes 12 minutes. There is no pain felt during the process, patients usually expressed that it felt like a massage for the eyelids.You can see the results of the treatment only within two weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Eye-Drops cure Dry-Eye condition?

No, but they can provide temporary relief to the eyes.

How does Dry-Eye feel?

You may feel stinging, burning, or scratchy sensation in the eye due to Dry-Eye condition.

Is Dry-Eye related to lack of sleep?

Yes, lack of sleep can also be a cause of your dry-eye. Your eyes heal while sleeping, so if you don’t give your eyes some time to heal then there are chances it may cause the dry-eye condition or some other eye infections

Is Dry-Eye permanent?

Dry-Eye is a chronic condition, in some severe cases it may not be cured completely but in many cases the Dry-Eye condition may be managed with suitable treatments.

Can Dry-Eye syndrome cause blindness?

Yes, if the condition is left untreated for a long period of time it may cause blindness and vision loss.

Is it appropriate to use eye-drops every day?

No, it’s not appropriate to use eye-drops every day unless it is prescribed by your doctor.

What are the vital symptoms of dry-eye?

Some of the main symptoms for dry eyes are:

Eye redness and irritation
Burning and gritty sensation
Blurred vision
Sensitivity to light
Excessive tearing
Feels that something is in the eye

What are the effective treatments for dry-eyes?

In mild cases, using humidifiers, avoiding smoke and artificial tears can offer some relief. But, in severe cases a proper treatment and medication are necessary. So, some of the treatments include:

Lacrisert is used to liquefy your eyes over time. And, provides 24X7 moisture to your eyes.
Insertion of punctal plug to stop tears draining away from your eyes.
Meibomian gland expression is a process in the case of MGD. The doctor takes out the clogged contents from the Meibomian glands.
LipiFlow thermal pulsation system is an effective dry eye treatment.
Intense pulsed light (IPL) relieves dry eyes in some patients. A short and deep burst of light at a certain wavelength helps in some changes in blood vessels.