Dry eye disease is an eye condition also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca. It is widely prevalent, affecting millions of people the world over. It occurs when your eyes fail to generate ample tears or when the generated ones evaporate too fast, which leads to dryness, irritation, and discomfort in the eyes.

Causes Of Dry Eye Disease

Your tears are a mixture of different fluids, and when they come together correctly you will have a proper tear film to keep your eyes moist, comfortable, and seeing clearly for long periods of time.  Most dry eye problems arise when some of these fluids don't mix together correctly. Giving you an "unstable" tear film. Tears are a mixture of

• Lubrication oils for binding the tears to the eye
• Special proteins and antibodies to fight infection
• Mucus for uniform spreading
• Water for moisture

These ingredients are produced in special glands areas around the eye. The lubrication oils are made from glands called meibomian glands on the lids around the eyes. Proteins and mucus are secreted from cells on the eye surface, and the water portion is from the lacrimal glands. When you suffer from dry eye disease, it usually means your tear system is failing, as one or more of the components of the tear film is either over- or under-produced. The most common cause is the lack of production from the meibomian glands, hence meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).

Aging

As you age, your tear production decreases, making you more susceptible to dry eye. Medical conditions affecting older adults can also affect tear production, resulting in dry eye symptoms. These conditions include autoimmune diseases, diabetes, and thyroid disorders. Certain medications increase the risk of dry eye disease, such as antihistamines and decongestants.

Environmental Factors

Environmental factors can play a role in dry eye disease. Exposure to irritants such as pollution is not healthy for your eyes since it can dry out and irritate them. Prolonged use of digital devices can also contribute to dryness, as we tend to blink less frequently when using screens.

Lifestyle Habits

Lifestyle habits can impact dry eye disease. Too much screen time, not getting enough sleep, drinking insufficient water, and poor nutrition can all contribute to dry eye disease.

Treating Dry Eye Disease

There are several different approaches to treating dry eye disease, which we will explain below.

Artificial Tears

The use of artificial tears is the most prevalent treatment of the disease. These are eye drops containing lubricants that help moisten the eyes. Consequently, they relieve dryness and irritation.

Punctal Plugs

Another option for treating dry eye disease are punctal plugs. These devices are placed into the tear ducts to stop tear drainage, helping keep the eyes lubricated and relieve dryness and irritation.

Prescription Eye Drops

In more severe instances, prescription eye drops may be necessary. These eye drops contain medications that can alleviate inflammation and boost tear production, helping relieve dry eye symptoms.

Meibomian Gland Expression

Meibomian gland expression is a procedure in which a healthcare provider massages these glands in the eyelids to help unclog them and improve the tear quality. This procedure can help treat MGD, a common cause of dry eye disease.

Lifestyle Changes

Making lifestyle changes can help prevent and manage dry eye disease. For example, regular blinking can help keep the eyes moist and reduce dryness. Using a humidifier can also be beneficial, as well as specific treatments for improving lid hygiene.

The device increases humidity levels in the air, reducing dryness in the eyes. Taking breaks when using digital devices and avoiding irritants like smoke and dust can also help inhibit dry eye symptoms.

For more on the causes of dry eye disease, contact the King Family Eye Care at our Old Saybrook or Rocky Hill, Connecticut offices. Call (860) 388-9300 or (860) 258-2380, respectively, to schedule an appointment today.