What is dry eye?
Dry eye refers to a decrease in tear film stability due to decreased tear production or enhanced evaporation, accompanied by ocular discomfort and ocular surface tissue lesions. Dry eye is a growing concern, with the current worldwide prevalence of dry eye ranging from approximately 5.5 to 33.7%. In the United States, the prevalence of dry eye in women and men is 17% and 11.1%, respectively. According to existing epidemiological studies in China, the incidence of dry eye in China is similar to that of other Asian countries and is higher than that of the United States and Europe, with an incidence of about 21%-30%.
What are the symptoms of dry eye?
Common symptoms of dry eyes include dry eyes, eye pain, sore eyes, burning sensation, easy fatigue, itchy eyes, foreign body sensation, painful burning sensation, sticky secretions, fear of wind, photophobia, and sensitivity to external stimuli. Sometimes the eyes are so dry that the basic tears are not enough, but instead they stimulate reflex tear secretion and cause frequent tearing, but the tears secreted in this case are mainly the aqueous layer, lacking the lipid and mucin layers.
What are the causes of dry eye?
Common causes of dry eye include.
(1) Inflammation.
(2) Age-related factors, especially menopause. Decreased tear production due to changes in hormone secretion levels.
(3) Looking at a computer screen for a long time.
(4) Dry living environment or workplace (sand, air conditioning, heating).
(5) Prolonged exposure to sunlight.
(6) Smoking or passive smoking.
(7) Use of certain medications, such as glaucoma drops, birth control pills, cold and flu medications, or anti-allergy medications.
(8) Ocular trauma, thermal burns, chemical injuries, other causes of incomplete eyelid closure.
(9) Autoimmune diseases affecting tear secretion, such as hyperthyroidism, dry syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.
(10) History of eye surgery.
What tests are needed for dry eye?
The main dry eye related tests are.
(1) Visual acuity.
(2) Slit lamp examination.
(3) Corneal staining.
(4) Tear film rupture time.
(5) Tear secretion function.
How to treat dry eye?
There are several treatment options for dry eye, which should be chosen under the guidance of an ophthalmologist.
(1) Artificial Tears
Supplementation of artificial tears is the most basic treatment for dry eye. No one drop is suitable for all dry eye patients, and the most appropriate artificial tear solution should be chosen after several attempts. If you feel dry eyes at night or in the morning, you can use artificial tears in the form of eye ointment before going to bed.
(2) Anti-inflammatory eye drops
Anti-inflammatory eye drops can inhibit the release of inflammatory mediators from the ocular surface, restore tear secretion function and reduce symptoms. Currently used anti-inflammatory eye drops include cyclosporine A, corticosteroids, and tacrolimus, which can effectively treat dry eyes and improve symptoms.
(3) Lacrimal punctal embolism
A sesame-sized embolus is placed temporarily or permanently in the tear dots. Since tears enter the nose and throat through the tear dots and tear ducts, blocking the tear outflow channels allows the tears to remain on the eye surface for a longer period of time.
(4) Lipiflow
LipiFlow, an instrument used to treat dry eyes, unblocks the lid glands by adding heat and pressure to the inside of the eyelids. When the opening of the lid gland is blocked, the oil secreted cannot be drained and the tear film lacks a lipid layer and tends to evaporate, leading to dry eyes.
(5) Nutrition
Increase the intake of fish oil and Omega 3 fatty acids to facilitate the relief of dry eye symptoms.