Dry eyes are a common condition that not only causes ocular discomfort but can also affect your vision. Here at Capital Eye, your optometrist in Canberra, we regularly treat and manage patients with dry eyes, taking a holistic approach to their condition.
Dry eyes occur when your eyes either do not produce enough tears or produce poor-quality tears. Our tears are composed of mucus, water, and oils, and if there is an imbalance in these layers, the tears are less stable and evaporate from the eye more quickly.
There are many causes of dry eyes, which include:
Environmental factors: Air conditioning, wind and heating cause tears to evaporate more quickly from our eyes.
Screen use: When concentrating on screens, our blink rate decreases. This causes our tears to evaporate more quickly than we can blink. Along with this, commonly incomplete blinks occur, which means the whole eye does not get replenished with a new layer of tears and fewer oils are secreted from the oil glands as they are not squeezed out during the blink.
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction: This is a common condition in which the meibomian (oil) glands within the eyelids do not function properly. This results in the production of poor-quality oils or insufficient oil production. At Capital Eye, your optometrist in Canberra, we have a meibographer to accurately image the meibomian glands to evaluate their structure.
Certain medical conditions, such as Sjogren’s syndrome or rheumatoid arthritis, can be associated with dry eyes. Additionally, a previous history of chemotherapy could also contribute.
Symptoms of dry eye include but are not limited to
– Stinging or burning eyes
– Gritty, or a foreign body sensation
– Redness
– Watery eyes
– Blurred vision
Understanding the cause of your dry eyes helps determine the best treatment option for you.
Standard treatments can include:
1. Lubricating Drops
These over-the-counter drops can provide immediate relief to dry eyes by supplementing your tear layer. Preservative-free drops are available, which minimise any potential irritation the preservatives may cause to the ocular surface.
2. Warm Compresses and Eyelid Hygiene
If you have meibomian gland dysfunction, regular hot compress and lid massages may be beneficial. The warmth of the compress softens or melts the oil, and the massage helps clear these oils out of your glands.
3. Visual hygiene
Adopt a 20-20-20 (20) rule when performing concentrated tasks, such as screen use. Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet (or 6 metres) away for 20 seconds (and take 20 blinks).
4. Sunglasses
Wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes from the UV and wind
5. Hydration
Ensuring you stay well hydrated throughout the day
6. Humidifier
In some cases, using a humidifier in arid climates can be beneficial, particularly during winter when the heater is in use.
The Bottom Line
Dry eyes are prevalent in our society. It could be a very annoying and debilitating condition if left untreated and unmanaged. Your optometrist in Canberra will be able to diagnose the specific type of dry eyes you have and recommend the most appropriate treatment options for you.