Dry Eyes

The number one complaint I get from patients (aside from the need for vision correction), is the daily aggravation of dry eyes. This is not surprising given our arid climate and higher elevation in Colorado. Add in our many windy and sun drenched days, and you have the perfect recipe for red, scratchy, watery, & irritated eyes.

Dry eye disease presents in a variety of forms and levels of severity, and it can be caused by several factors. The most common causes of dry eye include:

1) Aging.... with age, tear production decreases. Post-menopausal & pregnant women are at greater risk.
2) Environment... exposure to wind, dry air, sun, sand, dust, pollen, smoke, computer use, higher altitude, and air conditioning can reduce eye lubrication.
3) Medications... A number of medications reduce tear production from the lacrimal gands, including antihistamines, beta blockers, decongestants, sleeping pills, alcohol, diuretics, and anti-depressants.
4) Contact Lenses... contact lenses cause increased tear evaporation, leading to protein deposits and increased allergen concentrations. This may cause irritation and infection.
5) Autoimmune Disease... rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus are examples. Sjogren's syndrome is characterized by the combination of dry eye, dry mouth, and arthritis.
6) Eye Surgery... LASIK and other ocular surgeries can temporarily disrupt the balance and production of our natural tears.

The most common symptoms of dry eye include watering, burning, stinging, itching, redness, soreness, and not surprisingly, a dry sensation on the eye.

Dry eye is treated in a variety of ways, depending upon the cause and severity of the disease. Artificial tears (both preserved and non-preserved) are the mainstay in dry eye relief, but in many cases of unrelenting dry eye, steroidal or non-steroidal medications may be used in combination with artificial tears. Punctal occlusion is a viable option in moderate to severe dry eye, whereby a tiny silicone plug is inserted into the drainage duct of the eye (puncta) to prevent tears from draining into the nose prematurely.

Yours in eye health,

Kevin L. Crosier, O.D.
http://www.clearvision.info