Dry eyes syndrome – a natural solution

Dry eyes syndrome – a natural solution
Dry eye syndrome is a chronic lack of sufficient lubrication and moisture on the surface of the eye
Its consequences range from subtle but constant irritation to ocular inflammation of the anterior (front) tissues of the eye.
Dry eyes also are described by the medical term, keratitis sicca, which generally means decreased quality or quantity of tears. Keratoconjunctivitis sicca refers to eye dryness affecting the cornea and conjunctiva.

Dry Eye Syndrome Symptoms

Persistent dryness, scratching and burning in your eyes are signs of dry eye syndrome. These symptoms alone may prompt your eye doctor to diagnose dry eye syndrome.
But sometimes your eye doctor may want to measure the amount of tears in your eyes. A thin strip of filter paper placed under the lower eyelid, called a Schirmer test, is one way to measure tear production.
Another symptom of dry eyes is a "foreign body sensation," the feeling that something is in the eye.
And it may seem odd, but sometimes watery eyes can result from dry eye syndrome, because the excessive dryness works to over stimulate production of the watery component of your eye's tears.

What Causes Dry Eyes?

Tears bathe the eye, washing out dust and debris and keeping the eye moist. They also contain enzymes that neutralize the microorganisms that colonize the eye. Tears are essential for good eye health.
In dry eye syndrome, the lacrimal gland or associated glands near the eye don't produce enough tears, or the tears have a chemical composition that causes them to evaporate too quickly.
Dry eye syndrome has several causes. It occurs as a part of the natural ageing process, especially during menopause; as a side effect of many medications, such as antihistamines, antidepressants, certain blood pressure medicines, Parkinson's medications and birth control pills; or because you live in a dry, dusty or windy climate.
If your home or office has air conditioning or a dry heating system, that too can dry out your eyes. Another cause is insufficient blinking, such as when you're staring at a computer screen all day.
Dry eyes also are a symptom of systemic diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, ocular rosacea or Sjogren's syndrome (a triad of dry eyes, dry mouth and rheumatoid arthritis or lupus).
Long-term contact lens wear is another cause; in fact, dry eyes are the most common complaint among contact lens wearers.
Recent research indicates that contact lens wear and dry eyes can be a vicious cycle. Dry eye syndrome makes contact lenses feel uncomfortable, and the rubbing of the lenses against the conjunctiva seems to be a cause of dry eyes.
Incomplete closure of the eyelids, eyelid disease and a deficiency of the tear-producing glands are other causes.
Tears are composed of three layers:

• the outer, oily lipid layer;
• the middle, watery, lacrimal layer;
• and the inner, mucous or mucin layer.

Each layer is produced by different glands near the eye. The lacrimal gland located above the outer corner of the eye produces the lacrimal layer, for example. So a problem with any of those sources can result in dry eyes.
Dry eye syndrome is more common in women, possibly due to hormone fluctuations. A recent study also indicates that the risk of dry eyes among men increases with age.
Recent research suggests that smoking, too, can increase your risk of dry eye syndrome.
With increased popularity of cosmetic eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) for improved appearance, dry eye complaints now occasionally are associated with incomplete closure of eyelids following such a procedure.

Treatment for Dry Eyes

Dry eye syndrome is an ongoing condition that may not be completely curable (depending on the cause), but the accompanying dryness, scratchiness and burning can be managed. Your eye care practitioner may prescribe artificial tears, which are lubricating eye drops that may alleviate the dry, scratching feeling.

Punctal plugs help keep moisture on the eye by keeping tears from draining too quickly.

7Eye sunglasses can help with dry eyes because they keep out wind, pollen and dust with their Airlock seal; 99 percent of wearers in a study reported a decrease in overall dry eye symptoms.

Left: Artificial tears help dry eyes feel better; don't confuse them with formulas that just reduce redness. Salmon is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which may reduce your risk for dry eyes. Sardine, herring and cod liver oils are even better, or try a supplement.

If your eye dryness is mild, then contact lens rewetting drops may be sufficient to make your eyes feel better, but the effect usually is only temporary.
Doctors sometimes recommend special nutritional supplements for dry eyes. Studies have found that supplements containing certain essential fatty acids (linoleic and gamma-linolenic) can decrease dry eye symptoms.


You also could eat more cold-water fish, such as sardines, cod, herring and salmon, which contain omega-3 fatty acids. Some eye doctors specifically recommend flaxseed oil to relieve dry eye.


Drinking more water can also help.


If medications are the cause of dry eyes, discontinuing the drug generally resolves the problem. But in this case, the benefits of the drug must be weighed against the side effect of dry eyes. Sometimes switching to a different type of medication alleviates the dry eye symptoms while keeping the needed treatment. In any case, never switch or discontinue your medications without consulting with your doctor first!

If contact lens discomfort is the cause of your dry eyes, your eye care practitioner may want to switch you to a different lens or have you wear your lenses for fewer hours each day. In some cases, it is recommended that contact lens wear be discontinued altogether until the dry eye problem is cleared up.


The Natural Solution:

Dry eyes caused by climate, age, wind, contact lens wear, and smog can make it hard to stay focused on your day.

Similasan’s Dry Eye Relief sterile eye drops are specifically formulated to address symptoms associated with dry eyes such as dryness, redness, sensation of grittiness, reflex watering secondary to dry eyes, and sensitivity to light. And, because Dry Eye Relief’s active ingredients are homeopathic and contain no vasoconstrictors, it’s safe to use as often as your symptoms occur with no risk of long term overuse. Dry Eye Relief gives your eyes the relief and comfort that they need so you can stay focused on what’s really important

Uses:

According to homeopathic principles, the active ingredients in this homeopathic medicine temporarily relieve minor symptoms such as:

• dry eye
• redness of eyes and lids
• reflex watering secondary to dry eye
• sensation of grittiness
• sensitivity to light