What Is Dry Eye?

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Dry eye syndrome is a common eye disease. It affects 5–34% of people to some degree depending on the population looked at. Among older people it affects up to 70%. Dry eye occurs when either the eye does not produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly. It is also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca.

 

Dry Eye Symptoms

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Symptoms range from mild and occasional to severe and continuous, and may include:

• Irritation

• Redness

• Discharge,

• Asthenopia (feeling of tired/strained eyes)

• Blurred vision

• Blurry vision

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Dry Eye Causes

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Causes of dry eye include:

• Sjögren syndrome (auto-immune disease)

• Age-related eye changes to the eyelids

• Contact Lens Use (especially if Graham didn’t fit them for you)

• Meibomian gland dysfunction (treatable eyelid problem)

• Smoking tobacco

• Certain medications (e.g. Antihistamines, BP meds, antidepressants, HRT)

• LASIK surgery

• Vitamin A deficiency

• Omega-3 fatty acid deficiency

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Dry Eye Treatment

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Treatment is very much dependent on the cause of the dry eye, but can include changes to the environment, eye drops, wipes, sprays, warm compresses, or possible referral to the eye hospital if more severe.