Understanding dry eye syndrome, or keratitis sicca, can help you cope with this irritating condition.
What Is Dry Eye Syndrome and How Is It Caused?
If you’ve just received a dry eye syndrome diagnosis, it means that your eyes aren't receiving adequate moisture. This may cause a red appearance in the eyes as well as an itching, burning or stinging sensation. You may also experience stringy mucus coming from your eyes, or even gritty granules that gather at the corners. Dry eye is a common problem that affects many people for a variety of reasons. It may be that your eyes aren't producing enough tears, or that the tears your eyes produce don't have the necessary composition to keep eyes properly moist. The tear film is made up of three different parts: oil, water and mucus. If one or more of these parts functions incorrectly, the result is poor tear quality. Oil forms the outer layer of the tears and helps to smooth the tear surface and keep water from evaporating too quickly. If the oil glands in your eyes don’t produce enough oil it could cause dry eyes. The salty water produced by the eye’s lacrimal glands is useful in washing away dirt and other debris that may reach the eye. If enough water isn’t produced, you could develop unsightly strings of mucus discharge. The inner layer of tears, the mucus, helps to distribute the tears evenly over the eye’s surface. If the mucus doesn’t function properly, it could result in dry spots on the eye’s surface.
How Will This Condition Affect Me?
Dry eye syndrome is an irritating and uncomfortable condition that could potentially get in the way of every-day activities such as reading, working at a computer, driving or anything else that requires concentrated vision. If you suffer from dry eyes, you may experience blurred vision and sensitivity to sunlight. You might feel as though something is in your eye, even when that’s not the case. If debris does get in your eye, this can be very painful. Most people don't experience long-term side effects associated with dry eye syndrome, but some potentially serious risks are associated with the condition, including infection and visual impairment.
What Treatments Are Available?
If you suffer from mild or occasional dry eyes, you may be able to find relief with over-the-counter eye drops. You may need prescription-grade drops or even antibiotics to feel better. In extreme cases, surgery may be recommended for treating dry eye syndrome.