My eyes are dry. Is this dry eye syndrome? Protect your eyes

In life, many people have experienced dry eyes, pain, burning sensation, foreign body sensation, etc., which may be caused by dry eyes. What factors are related to the occurrence of dry eyes? How to treat dry eyes? Let’s learn about these issues together.

What factors are related to dry eyes?

Dry eye syndrome is caused by the imbalance of tear film homeostasis and ocular surface damage and discomfort symptoms. The cornea is located at the front of the eyeball, and there is a layer of tear film on the surface of the cornea, which plays a role in moisturizing, locking in moisture, and protecting the surface of the eyeball. When the tear film cannot stay stably on the ocular surface, the unprotected ocular surface cells will be damaged, causing symptoms such as dry eyes, pain, foreign body sensation, burning sensation, red and itchy eyes, blurred vision, etc. This is what we often call dry eye syndrome.

Dry eye syndrome has become an eye disease that affects the entire population and all age groups, and its occurrence is related to multiple factors.

One is the influence of bad living habits 

Under normal circumstances, people can blink 10 to 20 times per minute. When blinking, tears will be evenly apply to the cornea and conjunctiva, moisturizing, lubricating, and protecting the eye surface. When using electronic products, people only blink 4 to 6 times per minute, and the eyes lose the opportunity to “replenish water” by blinking, which can cause dry eyes over time. In addition, people who wear contact lenses for a long time, lack vitamin A and omega-3 fatty acids in their bodies, and lack of sleep have a higher prevalence of dry eyes.

The second is the influence of physiological factors 

Such as the degeneration of the tear glands and meibomian glands. The tear glands are organs that secrete tears. With age, the tear glands gradually shrink and tear production decreases. The meibomian glands are located between the upper and lower eyelids, and their function is to secrete meibum. Meibum is like a layer of “oil” covering the outermost layer of the tear film to prevent tears from evaporating too quickly. The tear glands and meibomian glands of the elderly degenerate, resulting in reduced tear secretion and excessive evaporation, making dry eyes more likely to occur.

The third is the impact of diseases and eye surgeries 

Eye diseases such as blepharitis and keratoconjunctivitis, as well as systemic diseases such as diabetes and rheumatism, can all lead to dry eyes. In addition, cataract surgery, refractive surgery, eye plastic surgery, etc. can also affect the health of the ocular surface and cause dry eyes.

Fourth, the impact of environmental factors 

Including dry air, environmental pollution, strong winds, etc. In summer, every household uses air conditioning to cool down. It should be note that staying in an air-conditioned room for a long time is also an environmental factor that causes dry eyes.

How to Treat Dry Eyes

Since dry eyes are related to lack of tears, can we buy eye drops to “rehydrate” our eyes? In fact, dry eyes are not just a problem of “lack of water in the eyes”. According to different causes, dry eyes can be divide into five types: aqueous tear deficiency, mucin deficiency, lipid deficiency, tear dynamics (distribution) abnormality, and mixed type. If you buy eye drops at a pharmacy. The drug may not be suitable for your condition. Which will aggravate eye discomfort and make the condition protracted.

At present, there are many drugs for the treatment of dry eyes in clinical practice. Such as drugs with moisturizing and lubricating effects, promoting eye repair, and anti-inflammatory effects. If you suspect that you have dry eyes. The correct approach is to go to the hospital in time for treatment. After completing relevant examinations, the doctor will prescribe symptomatic medication based on your condition.

Dry eye syndrome can be divide into mild, moderate and severe according to its severity. Mild symptoms include dry eyes, itchy eyes, visual fatigue, etc. Moderate symptoms include foreign body sensation, pain, blurred vision, etc. Severe symptoms refer to organic damage to the eyes, which generally require long-term medication.

Treatments for dry eye are divide into drug treatment and non-drug treatment 

In terms of non-drug treatment, atomization fumigation, meibomian gland massage, intense pulsed light therapy, eyelid warm pulsation therapy, deep eyelid cleaning and other methods can effectively relieve dry eye symptoms. Patients with severe dry eye who have not responded to conservative treatment can also consider surgical intervention.

Dry eye disease cannot heal itself. If timely and effective intervention measures are not take. The condition will gradually worsen, and in severe cases. It may even cause the ocular surface cells to fall off, causing irreversible effects on vision. Therefore, if you experience dry eyes, pain, foreign body sensation, burning sensation, blurred vision, etc. Please go to a regular hospital ophthalmology department for examination in time. Choose appropriate medications or physical therapy under the guidance of a doctor to achieve a more satisfactory treatment effect.