Table of contents:
- Definition
- What are dry eyes?
- Signs and symptoms
- What are the characteristics and symptoms of dry eye?
- The appearance of "fake" tears
- Cause
- What causes dry eyes?
- 1. Hormonal changes
- 2. The aging process
- 3. Medical conditions
- 4. Medicines
- 5. Environment and activities
- 6. Cosmetics
- 7. Problems with the structure of the eyelids
- Diagnosis and treatment
- How is this condition diagnosed?
- Slit light inspection
- Schirmer test
- Tear break up time
- 3. Avoid rubbing your eyes
- 4. Reduce exposure to smoke, wind and air conditioning
Definition
What are dry eyes?
Dry eye, also known as dry eye syndrome, is a condition when your eyes can't produce tears as they should, or when the tears don't work properly to lubricate the eyes.
This condition often causes discomfort. In some cases, dry eyes can also affect the quality of vision.
Signs and symptoms
What are the characteristics and symptoms of dry eye?
When there are not enough tears, or the tears don't lubricate your eyes properly, you can experience the following symptoms:
- The eye feels sore
- The eye is more sensitive to light
- A rough or gritty sensation in the eyes
- A burning, stinging, or itching sensation inside the eye
- There is a feeling of lump in the eye
- Red eyes
- Blurred vision
- Tired and watery eyes
- Mucus in or around the eyes
If left untreated, this condition will cause inflammation, pain, ulcers, or scarring on the cornea. In certain cases, dry eyes cause partial vision loss. However, total vision loss as a result of drying out of the eye is extremely rare.
The appearance of "fake" tears
In some cases, people with dry eyes will experience excess production of tears that run down the cheeks. This occurs when the eye doesn't have enough moisture, so the eye sends an emergency signal through the nervous system to ask for more lubricant.
The nervous system of the eye then responds to this urgent request by flooding the eyes with tears to combat the dryness. However, these emergency tears are made only of water and do not have the lubricating quality or normal tear composition. These fake tears can wash away dirt, but they will not moisturize your eyes properly.
Cause
What causes dry eyes?
There are many conditions and habits that cause dry eyes. Some of the possible causes are:
1. Hormonal changes
Hormones stimulate tear production. Hormonal changes, especially the decrease in androgen hormones commonly experienced by women, can increase the risk of dry eyes.
Decrease in androgen hormones commonly found in pregnant women. These changes continue to occur, even after childbirth and breastfeeding. Therefore, women will still experience dry eye symptoms at this time.
In addition to dry eyes, many women report experiencing sore eyes or something that feels like a lump in them. Dry eyes during pregnancy also cause pregnant women's eyes to be more sensitive to glare and sometimes their eyes will feel itchy.
2. The aging process
Dry eyes are more common among older people. This may be the result of decreased tear production with age, and the eyelids become less sensitive to even the tears across the surface of the eye.
3. Medical conditions
Several diseases can affect the ability of the eye glands to produce tears, for example:
- Diabetes
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Lupus
- Scleroderma
- Sjogren's Syndrome
- Thyroid disorders
- Vitamin A deficiency
- Bell's palsy
- Allergy
- Contact dermatitis
- HIV
Many people who experience dry eyes also have blepharitis or meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). MGD is inflammation of the eyelid lining that can block the tear glands from producing oil for the tear film. Blefaritis can be experienced by anyone, and is generally the result of a bacterial infection or other condition, such as rosacea
4. Medicines
Dry eyes can be a side effect of certain medications. The following are drugs that can be the cause:
- Antihistamines
- Decongestants
- Drinking acne medication (isotretinoin)
- Hypertension drugs
- Birth control pills and hormone therapy
- Antidepressants and antipsychotics
- Parkinson's disease drugs
5. Environment and activities
Environmental factors are not the main cause, but rather the factors that can aggravate dry eye conditions. Some of these include dust, smoke, wind, sun, dry weather, blowing hot winds, or being at high altitudes.
In addition, when you are reading, working in front of a computer screen, writing, or any other activity that requires visual concentration, your eyes tend to blink less frequently. This means that the tear film will evaporate faster than it is refilled.
6. Cosmetics
Some people who have had LASIK eye surgery report experiencing dry eyes a few weeks after surgery. Symptoms usually go away on their own after a few months, but in some cases they can go on.
In addition, dry eyes can also occur due to irritation due to wearing contact lenses.
7. Problems with the structure of the eyelids
Ectropy (turning of the inner eyelid outwards) and entropy (turning the outer eyelid in) can cause meta to become dry and irritated due to the tear film which evaporates rapidly after continuous contact with the outside air.
Dry eyes can also be a result nocturnal lagophthalmos, which is a condition in which the eyelids do not close completely during sleep.
Diagnosis and treatment
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.
How is this condition diagnosed?
If you feel dry eye complaints that are quite disturbing, immediately visit a doctor for an eye exam.
According to the National Eye Institute website, here are some steps taken to check for dry eyes:
Slit light inspection
In this step, the doctor will use a microscope equipped with a slit lamp or slit lamp to see the condition of your tears. First, the doctor will give you special drops to see your tears clearly. Then, the doctor will examine the parts of your eye with the slit lamp.
Schirmer test
The Schirmer test is done so that the doctor can find out how quickly your eye produces tears. The doctor will place a small piece of paper on the edge of your eyelid and then see how long it takes for your eye to water.
Tear break up time
Spending too long staring at the screen gadget tends to make you blink less frequently, resulting in dry eyes. Therefore, don't forget to rest your eyes and blink more frequently when you are doing activities in front of the monitor to maintain eye health.
3. Avoid rubbing your eyes
When you feel itchy eyes and there is a sensation of lumping, try not to rub them immediately. Blinking a few times is enough to relieve itching and dryness. Rubbing your eyes, especially if they are too hard, will actually worsen the condition of your eyes.
4. Reduce exposure to smoke, wind and air conditioning
Your environment also determines the condition of your eyes. Avoid exposure to smoke and wind, which can dry out your eyes even more.
Also, make sure you don't spend too long in an air-conditioned room. If you really need to be in an air-conditioned room, try using it humidifier to prevent the room air from getting too dry.
