A question about whether an individual's eyes feel or felt dry or gritty
Symptoms of Dry Eyes
The following features are indicative of Dry Eyes:
stringy mucus in or around eyes
eye redness
stinging, burning or scratchy sensation in eyes
difficulty wearing contact lenses
blurred vision
difficulty with nighttime driving
sensation of having something in the eyes
eye fatigue
watery eyes
It is possible that Dry Eyes shows no physical symptoms and still is present in a patient.
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Common Causes of Dry Eyes
The following are the most common causes of Dry Eyes:
imbalance in tear composition
decreased tear production
increased tear evaporation
lack of adequate tears
Risk Factors for Dry Eyes
The following factors may increase the likelihood of Dry Eyes:
being a woman
wearing contact lenses
eating a diet that is low in vitamin A
being older than 50 years
Prevention of Dry Eyes
Yes, it may be possible to prevent Dry Eyes. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
take periodic eye breaks
avoid air blowing in the eyes
avoid smoking
use artificial tears regularly
position the computer screen below eye level
wear wraparound sunglasses or other protective eyewear
add moisture to the air
Occurrence of Dry Eyes
Number of Cases
The following are the number of Dry Eyes cases seen each year worldwide:
Very common > 10 Million cases
Common Age Group
Dry Eyes can occur at any age.
Common Gender
Dry Eyes can occur in any gender.
Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Dry Eyes
The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Dry Eyes:
Schirmer test: To measure the tear production
Comprehensive eye exam: To diagnose the cause of the dry eyes
Slit lamp examination: To diagnose dry eyes and to detect any damage to the eye
Tear breakup time: To calculate the time for tears to break up in the eye
The Tear Osmolarity Test: To diagnose dry eye disease
Tear protein analysis test: To calculate the lysozyme contained within tears
Doctor for Diagnosis of Dry Eyes
Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Dry Eyes:
Ophthalmologist
Complications of Dry Eyes if untreated
Yes, Dry Eyes causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Dry Eyes is left untreated:
eye inflammation
decreased quality of life
eye infections
abrasion of the corneal surface
corneal ulcer
vision problems
Procedures for Treatment of Dry Eyes
The following procedures are used to treat Dry Eyes:
LipiFlow thermal pulsation: Clear blocked oil glands than regular warm compresses and eyelid washing
Intense-pulsed light therapy: Helps in treating severe dry eyes
Self-care for Dry Eyes
The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Dry Eyes:
Use baby shampoo or another mild soap: Controls the eyelid inflammation
Apply a warm washcloth to the eyes: To loosen any debris and relieves dry eye symptoms
Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Dry Eyes
The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Dry Eyes:
Use castor oil eye drops: Decreases tear evaporation and improves the dry eye symptoms
Acupuncture: Relieves the dry eye symptoms
Add omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to the diet: Heals dry eye signs and symptoms
Patient Support for Treatment of Dry Eyes
The following actions may help Dry Eyes patients:
Join support group: Beneficial in coping with the disease
Time for Treatment of Dry Eyes
While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Dry Eyes to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision: