Dry Eyes
Introduction
The eye depends on the flow of tears to provide constant moisture and
lubrication to maintain vision and comfort. Tears are a combination of water,
for moisture; oils, for lubrication; mucus, for even spreading; and antibodies
and special proteins, for resistance to infection. These components are
secreted by special glands located around the eye. When there is an imbalance
in this tear system, a person may experience dry eyes.
When tears do not adequately lubricate the eye, a person may experience:
- Pain
- Light sensitivity
- A gritty sensation
- A feeling of a foreign body or sand in the eye
- Itching
- Redness
- Blurring of vision
Sometimes, a person with a dry eye will have excess tears running down the
cheeks, which may seem confusing. This happens when the eye isn't getting
enough lubrication. The eye sends a distress signal through the nervous system
for more lubrication. In response, the eye is flooded with tears to try to
compensate for the underlying dryness. However, these tears are mostly water
and do not have the lubricating qualities or the rich composition of normal
tears. They will wash debris away, but they will not coat the eye surface
properly. In addition, because these emergency tears tend to arrive too late,
the eye needs to regenerate and treatment is necessary.
What causes dry eyes?
In addition to an imbalance in the tear-flow system of the eye, dry eye can
be caused by the drying out of the tear film. This can be due to dry air
created by air conditioning, heat, or other environmental conditions. Other
conditions that may cause dry eyes are:
- The natural aging process, especially during
menopause
- Side effects of using certain medications such as antihistamines and birth control pills
- Diseases that affect the ability to make tears, such as
Sjogren's syndrome,
rheumatoid arthritis and collagen vascular diseases.
- Structural problems with the eyes that don't allow them to close properly or a problem with the tear ducts
Ask your doctor about steps you can take to help prevent dry eyes from occurring.
Next: How are dry eyes treated? »
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