Dry eye is a common condition in which the surface of the eye is insufficiently lubricated, leading to itching, redness, pain, and sometimes blurred vision. The eyes can become dry and irritated because the tear glands are not producing a sufficient number of tears, or because the tear film itself is unstable. A healthy tear film has an oil layer that is produced by meibomian glands at the eyelid margins. Generalized blockage of these glands is very common and often leads to dry eye due to a deffecient oil layer.

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Symptoms of Dry Eye

The symptoms of dry eye typically occur in both eyes, and include the following:

  • Stinging, burning or scratchiness
  • Eye fatigue
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Difficulty wearing contact lenses
  • Excessive tearing
  • Blurry vision

Dry eye can cause the corneal suface to have microcopic irregularities that can intermittenly blurr vision. There are, however, many treatments for relieving dry-eye symptoms, restoring eye health and protecting vision.

Treatment of Dry Eye

Artificial Tears

These can be purchased over-the-counter at any drug store.  Refresh and Systane make reliably good products.  There are a range of formulations from liquid, to gel drops, to ointments.  Mild to moderate dryness can be treated with liquid drops.  If you need to use the drops more than 2-3 times per day, preservative-free formulations are recommended. The thicker the formulation, the more your vision will be temporarily blurred, so ointments would be best used at night right before bed.

***Red eye drops like Visine or Clear Eyes can make dryness worse, so it is recommended to avoid these products or use them very sparingly.

Lid Margin Compresses and Cleaning

These maneuvers help to unclog the natural oil glands at the lid margin, which leads to a healthier tear film.  Hot compresses can be achieved by heating a damp cloth in the microwave for 10-15 seconds, then using it to apply pressure to the lid margins with the eye gently closed.  Gentle cleaning the lid margin can be done with a mixture of warm water and baby shampoo or alternatively, using pre-packaged lid wipes available over-the-coutner at most drug stores.

Prescription Drops

Various prescription drops exist that target the infammation associated with dryness.  These include steroid drops (which are usually used for only a short duration), Restasis, and Xiidra.  These are often considered if artificial tear therapy fails or if the dryness is more severe.

Punctal Plugs

If less drops are unsuccessful or suboptimal, a device called a punctal plugs can be used to partially block your natural tear drainage duct to keep them on the eye longer.  Insertion of these plugs is painless and done in the office.  They can easily be removed at any point.

Preventing Dry Eye

Maximizing humidity in your house, staying hydrated, and using artificial tears with regularity can help prevent dry eye disease.