Dry eye. What causes it? How is this condition treated?
Tingling eyes, a feeling of having sand under the eyelids, eyelids that stick together, eye discomfort: these are the manifestations of dry eye, an eye condition that develops with age.
What is dry eye?
The eye is an organ protected by the eyelids, which glide over it. To facilitate the movement of the eye and eyelids, the surface of the eye is constantly supplied with blood and lubricated by tears produced by the lacrimal glands located beneath the eyelids. Tears are produced continuously and create a watery film that protects and lubricates the cornea. In this way, tears prevent dust and microorganisms from damaging the cornea, which can cause irritation and injury.
A deficiency in tear secretion leads to a drying of the cornea, with irritation and the development of visual discomfort; this is dry eye with the typical sensation of dry eye.
What causes dry eyes?
There are several causes of dry eye, some related to our environment and others not.
It does indeed seem that our environment is a triggering factor for certain manifestations of dry eye. In fact, among the factors likely to trigger dry eye are:
-
pollution
-
the use of air conditioning
-
intensive screen use
-
sun exposure without protection
-
using contact lenses that are not suitable for your eye
-
the use of certain eye drops
-
an eye infection
-
allergies
-
certain makeup
-
Certain medications can lead to a reduction in the amount of tears: sleeping pills, painkillers, antidepressants, antidiarrheals, acne medications.
Intrinsic factors also come into play. Dry eye is a phenomenon that is also linked to:
-
menopause
-
age
-
tobacco consumption
-
autoimmune diseases such as Gougerot-Sjögren syndrome which causes dry eyes and mouth due to damage to the glands that secrete mucus, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease.
-
diabetes
-
eyelid inflammation (blepharitis)
-
nutritional deficiencies in vitamin A
What are the common symptoms of dry eye?
Dry eye manifests itself through relatively classic symptoms. People affected by the sensation of dry eye experience significant discomfort or irritation.
The classic symptoms suggestive of dry eye are:
-
the eye was red and irritated due to lack of lubrication
-
a burning sensation in the eye
-
the feeling of having sand under the eyelid
-
difficulty opening eyes upon waking, the feeling of having eyelids stuck together
-
very frequent blinking
-
eye strain
-
a vision that tends to become blurry
-
sensitivity of the eyes to temperature changes
-
sensitivity of the eyes to changes in humidity
-
Symptoms tend to be more pronounced during screen-based activities (computer, television, etc.)
-
photophobia (hypersensitivity to light)
-
difficulty tolerating wearing contact lenses
Who are affected by dry eye?
Dry eye affects both exposed individuals and those with predispositions. Its frequency increases with age and after menopause. It is therefore more common after age 65, particularly in women. Finally, individuals with autoimmune diseases such as Sjögren's syndrome or rheumatoid arthritis are more likely to develop dry eye.
Is it serious to have dry eyes?
If the dry eye is only temporary, there shouldn't be any problems. However, if the situation persists, complications may arise.
Indeed, tears play a fundamental protective role for the cornea. Untreated dry eye gradually leads to chronic inflammation that worsens over time, causing increasing discomfort.
A decrease or absence of tears leads to reduced lubrication and hydration of the cornea. This not only diminishes the cornea's protection but also causes structural damage: the eye dries out, cracks and ulcers can appear on the cornea, and this increases susceptibility to infections.
How to treat dry eyes?
As we saw earlier, the causes that can lead to the development of dry eye are numerous and must be identified and eliminated, if possible, to resolve the problem at its root. If symptoms of dry eye develop, the recommended course of action is to consult an ophthalmologist who can perform an examination to confirm the diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment.
The management of dry eye is based on several pillars.
First, the contributing factors must be eliminated:
-
limit the use of air conditioning
-
avoid or reduce the wearing time of contact lenses
-
Avoid working on a screen, or failing that, take regular breaks.
-
force yourself to blink (during certain activities, we tend to blink less, which leads to a drying of the cornea)
-
identify treatments that may be causing dry eyes and stop them if possible
-
limit the use of makeup
-
avoid tobacco use
Good eye hygiene must be maintained:
-
Warm compresses were applied to help unblock the tear ducts.
-
Massage the eyelids from the inside out and from top down to stimulate tear flow.
-
Clean the edges of your eyelids with compresses specifically designed for eye cleansing.
Use appropriate eye care products such as artificial tears. Consulting a doctor or pharmacist is strongly recommended.
What tests are used to detect dry eye?
Tests to diagnose dry eye are performed by a doctor specializing in ophthalmology. They combine several methods to assess the condition of the cornea and conjunctiva of the eye, the function of the tear glands, and the quantity and quality of the protective film produced by tears.
High-tech examinations are now available to diagnose eye conditions, including dry eye. These tests utilize video techniques combined with advanced computer analysis. This type of test is generally used in conjunction with tests that employ physical markers.
-
The red thread test or Schirmer test, which uses a strip placed on the eyelid to assess the rate of tear secretion
-
Tear breakup time allows us to assess the quality of the tear film using a dye: fluorescein, which is deposited on the cornea.
-
Slit-lamp examination allows evaluation of the meniscus (and its surface tension) produced by the tear film.
These tests are painless and allow for effective assessment of the quality and quantity of the tear film.
Natural solutions to help relieve dry eyes
It is possible to participate in the fight against and prevention of dry eye using simple means.
Firstly, it is necessary to eliminate risky habits that promote dry eye.
Secondly, it is possible to adapt one's diet to ensure that it provides the elements that are favorable to the proper functioning of the eye.
It is indeed necessary to ensure a good intake of omega 3, respecting at least the nutritional recommendations (you can consume oily fish).
Dietary intake of vitamin A is important for the physiology of the eye (offal, carrots, pumpkins, squash, oily fish).
It has also been shown that vitamin D (oily fish), lutein (yellow peppers, mangoes, blueberries) contribute to good eye health.
At Phytocea, we have developed Oretine. Oretine is a dietary supplement specifically formulated for eye health . It's much more than a multivitamin; it's a comprehensive supplement containing specific ingredients such as lutein, astaxanthin, zinc, and coenzyme Q10. It was formulated based on nutritional intervention studies for eye health, such as the AREDS studies. This supplement can be found in our catalog under the "Eye and Vision" section.
To enhance the effects of Oretine, we recommend combining it with Omega+ , our dietary supplement rich in natural Omega-3 fatty acids and highly concentrated in DHA. DHA is essential for good eye health and function. The combination of Oretine and Omega+ is available at a special price in a special box: The Vision+ Box .
=== content-split ===
7943208566998
=== content-split ===
Sources
AMELI: Consultation and treatment of dry eye
Ophthalmology Notebooks: Special Issue on Dry Eye
C. Creuzot-Garcher. Dry eye related to systemic medications. French Journal of Ophthalmology. 2008
