Why do our eyes become dry?
This is condition occurs when our eyes either produce too few tears or produce tears that lack the ingredients that lubricate and protect the surface of eyes.
Why are tears important?
Tears are important because they are one of the eye’s natural defense mechanisms. They are produced by glands in various parts of the eye and released to coat, protect and nourish the surface of the eye.
What causes dry eyes?
Age The most common reason is aging because both the tear flow rate and effectiveness of your tear film decrease with age. By age 40, you have about half the tear production you had at age 10. Although this occurs in both men and women at any age, women, especially, after menopause are most often afflicted.
Dry environment or lifestyle factors
Many environmental factors can also lead to dry eyes, such as: Staring at computer terminals or television screens, air-conditioning in the office and home, air pollution or extremely high humidity.
Contact lenses Long-term contact lens use is another cause. This is mainly because soft contact lenses are “hydrophilic”, which means they attract fluids, and rather than allow tears to moisturise eyes, they soak it up.
What are the typical symptoms?
Symptoms include dryness and itching, burning or stinging sensation, sensitivity to bright light, scratchiness, mucous secretions in the eye and excessive tearing.
Is there help for dry eyes?
There is no treatment but relief is readily available in the form of ocular lubricants! These supplement our production of tears and provide a substitute coating to protect and nourish the surface of the eye. Ocular lubricants, such as Allergan’s Refresh Tears and Refresh Plus, can be used as frequently as needed or as directed. Contact your ophthalmologist or pharmacist if symptoms persist.
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