Important advice in dry eyes

Dry eyes

Tears help moisturize the eye, reduce the risk of infection, and maintain the integrity and health of the surface of the eye, or the so-called cornea , and if the eye does not produce sufficient amounts of tears, this makes it difficult to maintain eye health, and causes dry eyes , and this happens for reasons Many, including: the use of contact lenses, some types of drugs, climate, and the hormonal changes that occur after menopause in women. ^[1]

Important advice in dry eyes

Some daily changes and habits may help get rid of dry eyes, including: ^[2]

• Close the eyes for a period of ten seconds every five to ten minutes in the event of dry eyes due to insufficient hydration during reading, or watching television for long periods; In order to relax the eyes, and re-moisturize them.
• Eating fish oil pills, or any other nutrient rich in omega-3, daily; To prevent dry eyes.
• Using air filters in case of dusty winds; Because dust increases dry eyes symptoms.
• Use of air humidifiers to make the air damp, which reduces the evaporation of tears from the eyes, and increases the comfort of the eyes.
• Avoid rapid movement of air from fans; Because it increases dry eyes.
• Using artificial tears in the form of eye drops . To moisturize the surface of the eye, and it can be used four times a day, or as often as needed, and doctors recommend the preservative-free solution for those who want to use artificial tears more than six times a day.

Complications of dry eyes

People with dry eyes do not suffer from any complications that cause concern, but this may affect daily activities, such as: watching television or reading, and people with severe dry eyes are susceptible to infection in the eye, which may cause problems in the cornea, Such as: scarring, thinning, and perforation, and as a result, damage to the eye may occur, or the eye may lose vision. ^[3]

Causes of dry eyes

Tears are formed from water, mucus, and oily oil, and this mixture maintains the smoothness and purity of the eye, and this mixture also protects the eye from exposure to infection, and dry eyes may occur due to many reasons , which will be mentioned in detail in the following: ^[4]

Increased evaporation of tears

The rate at which tears evaporate from the eye increases due to several factors, including: ^[4]

• Blinking is less than usual, and this occurs as a result of too much concentration, whether while driving, reading, or working on the computer.
• Eyelid problems.
• Exposure to dry air, smoke and wind.

Defective tears

Tears are formed from water, oil, and mucus, and any defect in these three components leads to dryness in the eye, and the eye gets the oil that makes up tears from a small gland on the edge of the eyelid, and sometimes this gland becomes blocked, which prevents the oil from reaching the eye This blockage is common in people with blepharitis . ^[4]

Reducing tear production

Dry eye occurs as a result of the eye’s inability to manufacture sufficient amounts of tears, and this occurs as a result of several factors, including: ^[4]

• Damage to the lacrimal gland due to infections or radiation.
• Perform a laser eye surgery.
• Taking some types of drugs, such as: anti-allergies, acne medications, high blood pressure drugs, birth control pills, antidepressants, Parkinson's disease drugs, and decongestants.
• Having some health conditions, such as: thyroid gland problems , vitamin A deficiency, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and cutaneous lupus .

Dry eye symptoms

Dry eyes cause some symptoms , including: ^[5]

• Feeling of the presence of granules, such as: sand in the eye.
• A burning or itchy eye.
• Sensitivity to light .
• Eyes tear profusely.
• Difficulty using contact lenses.

It is worth noting that heavy tears are not a common symptom for people with dry eyes, and these tears contain more quantities of water than natural tears, and these tears cannot moisturize the eye as normal tears do.

Diagnosis of dry eyes

The doctor usually talks with the patient about the general health of the injured person, the symptoms of the disease, and the medical history of the infected person. The doctor may conduct a complete physical examination or a blood test to ensure that there are no immune diseases, and the specialist ophthalmologist conducts the examination through the following: ^[5]

• Tears analysis to ensure that there is no abnormal quality of tears.
• Schirmer's test, in which a filter paper is placed under the eyelid, and the amount of tears is measured on the paper after five minutes; This is to make sure that there is no abnormality in tear production.
• Putting a dye in the eye to reveal the presence of dry spots on the cornea.

Foods that keep eyes healthy

There are many foods that maintain eye health , including: ^[6]

• Vitamin A: Vitamin A deficiency is one of the common causes of vision loss in the world, as it is considered necessary to maintain light receptors in the eye, and it also protects the eyes from dehydration and night blindness , and it can be obtained through eating animal foods , Such as: egg yolks, liver, and dairy products, and it can also be obtained from some plants, such as: kale, carrots, and spinach.
• Omega-3: Omega-3 is an important element for eye health, as eating it helps protect the eye from dehydration, and taking omega-3 supplements for a continuous three-month period reduces the symptoms of dry eyes and increases the production of tears, and oily fish is the best source for obtaining omega 3, or it can be taken in the form of nutritional supplements that are extracted from fish or algae.
• Vitamin D: Vitamin D plays an important role in protecting the eyes from dryness, improving the quality of tears that cover the surface of the eye, and reducing inflammation on the surface of the eye. ^[7]

References

1. ↑ Reviewed by Alan Kozarsky, "What are dry eyes?" , Www.webmd.com , Retrieved 12-5-2019. Edited.
2. ↑ "DRY EYES" , www.rxlist.com , Retrieved 12-5-2019. Edited.
3. ↑ Andrew A. Dahl, MD, FACS, “Dry Eye Syndrome (Dry Eyes, Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca)” , www.medicinenet.com , Retrieved 12-5-2019. Edited.
4. ^ ^{A b t w} "Dry eyes View " , Www.mayoclinic.org , Retrieved 12-5-2019. Edited.
5. ^ ^{A b} "Dry Eye 's Syndrome type " , Www.drugs.com , Retrieved 12-5-2019. Edited.
6. ↑ Written by Atli Arnarson, PhD, "8 Nutrients That Will Optimize Your Eye Health" , www.healthline.com , Retrieved 12-5-2019. Edited.
7. ↑ By Hannah Nichols, Reviewed by Ann Marie Griff, OD, "Which vitamins are good for dry eyes?" , Www.medicalnewstoday.com , Retrieved 12-5-2019. Edited.