What is it?

The eyes need perfect tear production to stay healthy. The alterations related to a deficiency in the tear film are known as dry eye.

Why is it produced?

Dry eye can be mainly due to:

§  The amount of tears produced is insufficient.

o   The quality and composition of the tear is poor.

o   The tear film is made up of three layers:

§  A fatty layer.

·         External part of the tear film whose main function is to prevent rapid evaporation of the tear.

§  An aqueous layer.

·         Intermediate part of the tear film and its main function is to clean residues that do not belong to the eye.

§  A mucinous layer.

·         Inner tear layer. Its main function is to promote the diffusion of the aqueous component, keeping the ocular surface moistened.

Causes

As we age, the quantity and quality of the tear worsens, which has been associated with hormonal changes.

Common causes of dry eye are:

·         Dry work environment (heating, air conditioning, very windy areas, very hot and dry areas).

·         Systemic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome, thyroid diseases, lupus, etc.

·         Pathology of the eyelids, such as entropion or ectropion.

·         Blepharitis.

·         Contact lens abuse: Wear contact lenses for many hours.

·         Working with screens: Using screens reduces flickering and the ocular surface is not lubricated efficiently.

·         Topical ophthalmological treatment for other eye diseases, such as, for example, some treatments for glaucoma.

·         Certain systemic treatments, such as anxiolytics, antidepressants, beta-blockers.

·         Previous eye surgeries.

Can dry eye be prevented?

Some measures can prevent the appearance of symptoms associated with dry eye:

·         Reduce the time of use of screens (computers, tablets, mobile phones).

·         Eat foods rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (nuts, oily fish).

·         Increase the blink frequency.

·         Maintain an adequate level of environmental humidity.

·         Avoid exposing yourself to air conditioning or fans (direct current).

·         Use protective glasses if you are going to be in places exposed to the wind and / or sun.

Symptoms

Although it may seem strange, excessive tearing can be a symptom of dry eye.

The symptoms of dry eye include:

·         Eye itching and burning sensation.

·         Foreign body sensation (grit in the eyes).

·         Eye redness.

·         Excessive tearing.

·         More serious cases can course with:

o   Vision disturbances (blurred vision).

o   Excessive sensitivity to light (photophobia).

o   Pain (if there are injuries to the cornea).

Diagnosis

The first step is a complete ophthalmic exam, with special attention to the ocular surface. The ophthalmologist will analyze the blinking (frequency and quality). In addition, the quality and quantity of tears will be studied, as well as thickness through specific tests.

Treatment

Artificial tears are the first step in treatment, especially those that do not contain preservatives, as some preservatives can aggravate dry eye symptoms. There is a wide variety of artificial tears (different compositions, different viscosity) and the ophthalmologist will be the person who can best advise patient about the right tear for each case.

In more severe cases, it may be necessary to block the lacrimal points with silicone plugs. There are other treatments, mainly indicated in more serious cases, such as treating eye inflammation with topical anti-inflammatory treatments.

A diet rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (nuts, oily fish) may be recommended to improve tear composition.