Dry Eyes

It is the inability to moisten the eye as a result of insufficient production of tears and their poor quality. Dry eyesIt causes discomfort such as burning, stinging and itching. Factors such as looking at the screen for a long time, air-conditioned environments or aging can trigger it. If left untreated, it can reduce the quality of vision. It can be controlled with artificial tear drops and environmental regulations.

What are the symptoms of dry eyes?

A constant burning or stinging sensation may be experienced in the eyes, especially in windy or air-conditioned environments. dry eyes, It causes redness by causing the veins to become more visible. Dry eyes can cause itching, which can lead to irritation and increase complaints. It is common for the eyes to tire quickly during long-term visual activities such as computer use.

Lack of moisture can cause vision to fluctuate and blur. There may be extreme sensitivity to bright lights, which can be uncomfortable. A common symptom is a feeling of something on the surface of the eye. It feels like there is sand or a foreign object in the eye. Ironically, the tear glands can overwork to compensate for the dryness, causing excessive watering. However, these tears may not be moisturizing.

Another symptom of dryness is sticking of the eyelids when waking up in the morning. For people who wear contact lenses, it can cause the lenses to feel uncomfortable and make it difficult to use them. Dry eyes Its symptoms can affect daily life and cause eye health problems over time. It is important to see an eye doctor, especially for long-term complaints.

What Causes Dry Eyes?

Tear production decreases with aging. Hormonal changes in women, such as decreased estrogen, negatively affect tear production. Inadequate meibomian gland function accelerates tear evaporation. Inflammation in the eyelids impairs the function of the sebaceous glands. Wind or air conditioning accelerates tear evaporation. Decreased blinking increases dryness. Antihistamines and antidepressants can reduce tear production.

Diuretic drugs also dry eyes can cause. Disorders such as Sjögren syndrome affect the tear glands. Blood sugar imbalance can disrupt the function of the tear glands. Long-term use of lenses irritates the surface of the eye and disrupts the tear balance. Artificial tear drops and environmental precautions are important in treatment. In advanced stages, methods such as drug therapy and tear duct plugs can be used under the supervision of a doctor.

How is Dry Eye Treated?

Artificial tear drops temporarily relieve the lack of tears. These over-the-counter products are often used in mild cases. Eye gels are more effective than drops and are suitable for use at night. Prescription drops, such as cyclosporine or lifitegrast, reduce inflammation in the tear glands. They can increase tear production. Corticosteroid drops are used for short-term inflammation treatments.

Applying a warm compress to the eyelids will help to eliminate the blockage of the tear glands. Hygiene is provided with eyelid cleaning solutions to prevent infections and improve tear quality. Special tear-friendly lenses or daily disposable lenses can be preferred. In addition, the duration of use of the lenses can be limited. dry eyes can be prevented. Plugs placed in the tear duct allow tears to stay in the eye for a longer period of time. This method can be applied permanently or temporarily.

Omega-3 fatty acids support the health of the tear glands. Fish oil or omega-3 supplements are recommended. Drinking plenty of water is also effective in reducing dryness. Humidifiers can increase the humidity of the ambient air. It is recommended that those who work in front of a screen for long periods of time look 20 meters away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. Some medications (antihistamines, diuretics) can cause dryness. Your doctor may recommend changing these medications or adjusting their dosage. Dry eyes Depending on the severity, different treatment methods can be combined. If long-term relief is not achieved, it is recommended to consult an ophthalmologist.