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Dry
eye |
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What
is dry eye syndrome?
What are the symptoms of dry eye?
What can cause dry eye or make it worse?
Can persons with dry eye wear contact lenses?
What are the treatment options for dry eye?
| What
is dry eye syndrome? |
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This
condition occurs when people do not produce enough tears or
when the tears that are produced are not of the proper quality
to keep the eye lubricated and comfortable. Who is affected
by dry eye? Millions of people worldwide are affected by dry
eye. It can affect people of any age or gender but it is more
common in older age groups; about 15% of persons over 65 years
old have symptoms of dry eye. Women tend to be affected more
often after menopause and symptoms may worsen with estrogen
replacement therapy.
| What
are the symptoms of dry eye?
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The
symptoms of a dry eye occur when the ocular surface is not
properly lubricated. Symptoms include burning, stinging and
foreign body sensation.
| What
can cause dry eye or make it worse? |
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Medications
such as diuretics (water pills), antihistamines, anticholinergics,
sleeping pills and antidepressants can cause dry eyes by reducing
tear production. In addition, dry eye may be aggravated by
reduced humidity, by increased evaporation from wind, air
conditioning or heating, or by irritants such as pollen or
cigarette smoke.
| Can
persons with dry eye wear contact lenses?
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Successful
contact lens use is dependent on an adequate tear film. A person
with mild dry eye who wears contact lenses may require frequent
installation of artificial tears or may be forced to reduce
contact lens wearing time. More severe cases may require discontinuation
of contact lenses, making glasses or Refractive
Surgery a better alternative for vision correction.
| What
are the treatment options for dry eye? |
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Treatment of dry eye has the common goal of increasing the
quantity or quality of tears to augment the tear film thus
better protecting the eye surface. Readily available
over-the-counter artificial tear replacements offer most
patients temporary relief of symptoms when administered
throughout the day. If necessary, lubricating ointments may
applied at bedtime. More severe cases may be treated with a
minor in-office procedure either by reversibly closing the
drainage system of the eyelids (puncta) with punctual plugs,
or by permanent closure using cautery.
Restasis (cyclosporine 0.05%) is the first
prescription eye drop medication indicated for the treatment
of dry eye disease. Dry eye has been shown to be more than
merely a reduced capacity to produce tears. Recent studies
have revealed that ocular surface inflammation plays a
central role in this condition. The result of such
inflammation is both reduced tear production and poor tear
quality, which leads to symptoms of dryness, burning, and
irritation. Restasis works by preventing the chronic and
often progressive inflammation of dry eye disease, thus
restoring a better lubricated and healthier ocular surface.
Autologous Serum Eye Drops (Blood/SerumTears) are
used as an alternative or in addition to other treatments
for patients with severe dryness, burning and irritation.
Serum is the fluid component of the patient’s blood which
remains after clotting. The autologous serum eye drops are
specially prepared for each patient by a pharmacy. All the
good things present in a patient’s own tears that are
thought to be beneficial are also present in serum.
Therefore, autologous serum eye drops are the ideal tear
substitute in that they not only provide lubrication, but
they naturally control ocular surface inflammation and help
promote a healthy corneal surface using the patient’s own
body. This is especially true in complicated dry eye
patients with systemic disease and persistent corneal
healing problems.
Each patient must be individually evaluated to determine
which of the treatment options would provide the best
results. As a Corneal and External Disease Specialist, Dr.
Erdey and Dr.Searcy,
have made the treatment of Dry Eye a substantial part of
their work.
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