Have I got Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry Eye Syndrome

Do your eyes feel gritty or uncomfortable, particularly in the mornings? Have they

become painful and sometimes become blurred? A common misconception about

dry eyes is that they can’t be dry if they water excessively. This is incorrect, the

function of the eyes in simple terms is that when they become dry and inflamed

they literally turn on the waterworks in an attempt to lubricate the eye, causing

excessive oily tears. This is known as ‘reflex tear production’.

But what causes dry eye syndrome?

●Dry eyes can be a result of medication or a medical condition

●Ageing and the over 60’s can suffer more

●Inflammatory diseases like Rheumatoid Arthritis can be associated with dry

eyes

●Hot, dry and windy climates can cause evaporation of tears

While dry eyes are not normally associated with loss of vision, the vision can

become blurry with more sensitivity to the light and redness to the whites of the

eyes.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for dry eyes but our optometrist will be able to advise

which eye drops and lubricants will be suitable for your eye condition. If you are

finding that your dry eyes become more problematic at certain times of the year or in

particular conditions, try keeping a diary to avoid those circumstances.

Try avoiding air conditioning and open fires as these can lead to evaporation of

tears. Our top tip for using display screen equipment for long periods of time is to

‘think blink’. When we concentrate, we tend to blink less often. Remember to blink

more often to keep the surface of the eye wet.