Dry eye disease is a chronic and multifactorial disease where not enough tears are produced, or the tears are of poor quality. Tears are made up of three layers: oil, water, and mucous. When these layers are out of balance then dry eye symptoms can develop. This condition can lead to discomfort, inflammation, and potential damage to the eye’s surface. Effective management is essential for improving symptoms and maintaining eye health.

Causes of Dry Eye

• Insufficient Tear Production: Aging, hormonal changes, certain medications, and medical conditions.
• Increased Tear Evaporation: Environmental factors (wind, smoke, air conditioning), screen time, and contact lens wear.
• Imbalance in Tear Composition: Issues with the oil, water, or mucus layers of tears.

Symptoms of Dry Eye – A sensation of dryness, grittiness, or burning in the eyes, redness or irritation, excessive tearing (as a response to irritation), blurred vision, sensitivity to light.

Management Strategies

• Lifestyle Modifications
  • Increase Blink Rate: Remind yourself to blink more often, especially when using screens.
  • Limit Screen Time: Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
  • Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to help maintain tear production.
  • Use Humidifiers: Increase humidity in your home or workplace to reduce tear evaporation.
• Artificial Tears
  • Over-the-counter lubricating eye drops can provide temporary relief. Choose preservative-free options for frequent use.
• Prescription Medications
  • Anti-inflammatory Drops: Cyclosporine A (Restasis) or lifitegrast (Xiidra) can help reduce inflammation and improve tear production.
  • Hormonal Treatments: For post-menopausal women, estrogen eye drops or gels may be recommended.
• Punctal Plugs
  • Small devices inserted into the tear ducts to block drainage and retain moisture on the surface of the eye.
• Dietary Supplements
  • Omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish oil or flaxseed oil) may help improve tear quality.
• Warm Compresses
  • Applying a heated eye mask over the eyes can help unclog oil glands in the eyelids, improving oil secretion in tears.
• Blepharitis Management
  • Regular eyelid hygiene, including warm compresses and eyelid scrubs, can reduce inflammation and improve tear film quality.
• Environmental Modifications
  • Avoiding smoke and wind exposure and using wrap-around sunglasses outdoors can protect against environmental factors.

Effective management of dry eye syndrome involves a combination of lifestyle changes, over-the-counter and prescription treatments, and regular monitoring by an eye care professional. We can thoroughly evaluate your eyes using diagnostics such as meibography and reviewing your health and environmental risk factors to determine the cause of your dryness. A custom treatment plan will then be implemented to help restore your tear balance to an optimal state.