If your eyes are burning, aching, or constantly tearing, you may have dry eyes. The tears your eyes produce are necessary for overall eye health and clear vision. “Dry eye” means that your eyes do not produce enough tears or that you produce tears which do not have the proper chemical composition. The tears are composed of an outer oily layer that keeps moisture from evaporating, a middle watery layer, and an inner mucus layer that helps the tears stick to the surface of the eye. If these three layers are not present in the right amount, dry eye will result.
Often, dry eye is a result of the natural aging process. It can also be caused by blinking or eyelid problems, medications like antihistamines, oral contraceptives and antidepressants, a dry climate, wind and dust, computer use, general health problems like arthritis or Sjogren’s syndrome and chemical or thermal burns to your eyes.
If you have dry eyes, your symptoms may include irritated scratchy, dry, uncomfortable or red eyes, a burning sensation or feeling of something foreign in your eyes, and blurred vision. Excessive dry eyes may damage eye tissue, scar your cornea (the front covering of your eyes) and impair vision, and make contact lens wear difficult.
If you have symptoms of dry eye, see your optometrist for a comprehensive examination. Dry eye cannot be cured, but your optometrist can prescribe treatment so your eyes remain healthy and your vision is unaffected. Some treatments that your optometrist might prescribe include blinking more frequently, increasing humidity at home or work, using artificial tears and using a moisturizing ointment, especially at bedtime. Increasing your dietary intake of omega 3 oils (fish oil or flax seed oil) will help to improve tear quality, though it may take several weeks to have an effect. In some cases, small plugs are inserted in the corner of the eyes to slow tear drainage or surgical closure of the drainage ducts may be recommended. Moderate to severe dry eye may also be treated with anti-inflammatory eye drops that treat the gland which produces your tears.
Julie Danielson, an optometric physician, is available by appointment at (541) 899-2020.