subject: Important Information Regarding Dry Eyes [print this page] The eye requires moisture and lubrication from tears in order to function properly. Tears are made up of water, oils, mucus, antibodies and proteins. The eye receives moisture from the water in tears and lubrication from the oils. The antibodies and proteins in tears provide resistance to infections and the mucus allows the tears to be spread evenly across the eye.
When there is something wrong with the way tears are secreted a person may suffer from dry eyes. This can cause pain and discomfort for the sufferer and may result in infection. This article provides information on the symptoms associated with this condition and some of the treatments available.
A person may experience a number of different symptoms when the tear system is not functioning properly. One such symptom is the production of excess tears. This symptom is important to know about as it seems quite contradictory to this condition and can result in misdiagnosis and incorrect treatment.
When the eye is not receiving adequate lubrication it sends out a signal for more moisture. Excessive tears are produced by the body in order to combat the dryness but these are made up of mostly water and do not contain the oils, mucus, antibodies and proteins required to lubricate and nourish the eye. As a result a person may find they have a constant stream of tears running down their cheeks.
Other symptoms of dry eyes include:
- Pain and discomfort
- A gritty sensation
- A feeling that a foreign body is in the eye
- Itching
- Redness
- Blurred vision
There are many things that may cause dryness of the eyes and it is important for people suffering this condition to identify the cause as this can help in finding an effective treatment. Some of the causes include:
- The ageing process
- Side effects of certain medications, such as birth control pills and antihistamines
- Environmental conditions, including air conditioning, dry air, wind, pollutants
- Infrequent blinking
- Long periods of time in front of computer screens or televisions.
The most common form of treatment that people use when their eyes are dry is eye drops. These drops are known as artificial tear solutions and work by providing a tear like film over the eyes and work in the same way natural tears do.
When eyes become persistently dry and over the counter eye drops are not effective then medical help may be required as the cause of this condition could be more serious and require prescription medications or even surgery. People may also wish to use some of the following tips to help alleviate dryness of the eyes.
- Increase humidity in the air by placing bowls of water in the room
- Be conscious of blinking more frequently
- Wear protective eye wear when outside.
Dry eyes can at times be a debilitating condition and people suffering this should not put off treatment. When over the counter artificial tear solutions fail to provide long term relief then it is crucial for people to consider changing their environmental conditions or seek medical advice. In order to maintain good eye health it is always worth investing in good quality protective eye wear.
