If you’re experiencing discomfort like itching, burning, or a gritty feeling in your eyes, you might be dealing with dry eye syndrome.
Understanding Dry Eye: Dry eye occurs when your tear film fails to provide adequate lubrication for the eyes. Ignoring symptoms can worsen the condition, potentially leading to complications. Tear Film Layers: Consisting of oily, watery, and mucus layers, tear film maintains eye moisture. Disruptions in these layers contribute to dry eye symptoms. Common Symptoms: Burning or stinging sensations Light sensitivity Redness and foreign body sensation Itchiness and grittiness Causes of Dry Eyes: Excessive screen time reduces blinking, a leading cause of dry eye. Air conditioner exposure can exacerbate symptoms. Systemic illnesses and ocular conditions contribute. Prolonged contact lens use and certain medications can also trigger dry eyes. Potential Complications: Left untreated, dry eyes can lead to infections and corneal damage, possibly resulting in vision loss. Reflex tearing, a response to eye irritation, may occur, but it doesn’t address the underlying dry eye issue. Treatment Options: Artificial tear drops and lubricant eye drops are standard treatments. Innovative methods like Lipiflow target underlying causes such as meibomian gland dysfunction. Seeking timely treatment can alleviate discomfort and prevent complications associated with dry eye syndrome.