Dry eye problems
What is dry eye?
Dry eye or ocular surface dryness is a very common ophthalmological problem in which the eyes do not produce enough tears or the tears that are produced are of inadequate quality to keep the eye properly lubricated. It can be favored or caused by various factors (autoimmune, environmental, hormonal, toxic, etc.).
Due to its multifactorial origin, it is very important to try to identify in each case which factors are most influencing the patient's symptoms, with the aim of providing the most individualized treatment possible.
In many cases, it is a long-term condition and it is often not possible to completely eliminate the symptoms caused by this disease, so the aim of treatment is to reduce the intensity of our patients' symptoms as much as possible.
Types of dry eye
Aqueous deficiency
Aqueous deficiency dry eye is characterized by a decrease in the production of watery tears. The decrease in the production of watery tears can lead to symptoms such as:
burning
itching
irritation
foreign body sensation
blurred vision
Evaporative
Evaporative dry eye is characterized by a decrease in the production of the lipid layer of tears or by increased evaporation of this layer. The lipid layer is essential to prevent excessive evaporation of tears and keep the eye surface lubricated.
What are the most common symptoms of dry eye?
The most common symptoms include the following:
sensation of a foreign body or grit in the eyes, itching and stinging of the eyes,
“eye pricking”
heaviness of the eyelids
“eye strain”
photophobia or fluctuating blurred vision.
Paradoxical increase in tearing, which is usually due to the eye surface not receiving the constant hydration it needs. In an attempt to compensate for this deficiency, which does not achieve its objective, reflex hyperlacrimation occurs.
What are the causes of dry eye?
There are many causes and risk factors for dry eye. Some of them are:
Advanced age.
Menopause.
Environmental factors.
Poor diet.
Autoimmune diseases.
Side effects of medications.
Eye trauma.
Use of contact lenses.
How is dry eye treated?
In all cases, “dry eye syndrome” leads to inadequate moistening and lubrication of the eye surface, so it will be necessary to supplement the natural hydration provided by our tears with artificial tears and other gels or ointments that keep the eye surface adequately lubricated, day and night.
Anti-inflammatory treatments
Immunomodulators
Blood derivatives (autologous serum, PRP, PRGF)
The aim is to control the inflammatory component present in many eyes affected by dryness. There are also sensitivity modulators that do not completely anesthetize the eye.
Finally, in some patients, the chronic nature of the symptoms caused by this disease can lead to the appearance of so-called “neuropathic pain,” which is pain caused by chronic stimulation of the sensory nerve endings on the surface of the eye and which can remain even when the signs of dryness on the surface of the eye have significantly decreased thanks to treatment.
Intense pulsed light (IPL) for dry eye
This is a non-invasive therapeutic technique that uses high-intensity light pulses to stimulate the tear-producing glands in the eyes, promoting the production of better quality tears and helping to relieve the symptoms of dry eye.
In addition, pulsed light can also improve blood circulation around the eyes, contributing to better overall eye health.
Article created by Dr. Nuria González