Dry Eyes
A shortage of tear production by the tear glands in the eyelid.
A chronic condition, which is common in the Southwest, is known as keratitis sicca or "dry eyes" which means that the eyes are not being properly lubricated. The onset of dry eyes may be a result of aging, arthritis, pregnancy, vitamin deficiencies, sinus ailments, hay fever, cold symptoms, medications, wearing soft contact lenses, or allergies. Overexposure to smoke, sun, wind, smog, air conditioners, forced air-heat and hair dryers may aggravate a dry eye problem.
Patients with dry eyes complain that their eyes feel gritty, itchy, burning, red and dry. Other complaints are that their eyelids "stick together" in the morning or that they're overly sensitive to light. Frequent tearing or "watering" eyes, are a common symptom in some patients, where the "emergency" tear system tries to overcome the dryness by flooding the eyes. The surface of the eye is normally covered with a three-layered surface film called the tear film. This film lubricates and moistens the eye by forming tears. Through periodic blinking, the tears are spread over the eye. Because the film's outer layer is oily, evaporation of tears is minimized. The absence of this oily layer will increase evaporation 10 to 20 times. The middle, and thickest, layer is composed of the tears. The inner mucus layer coats the surface of the eye and holds the tear film together.
There are three ways for tears to leave the eye: By evaporation, by running over your eyelid and onto your cheek, and by running down into your nose through your tear ducts. Dry eyes cannot by cured. Its symptoms, however, can be alleviated through the use of artificial tears and eye ointments, preventing or slowing down the evaporation of tears, or by blocking or closing the tear ducts. Your doctor may recommend artificial tears, which can be purchased over-the-counter at any pharmacy.
During sleep, tear production decreases, and an ointment may be recommended for use at bedtime. It may also be helpful to prevent or slow down the evaporation of tears by using a cool-mist vaporizer or a humidifier. Blocking or closing the eye's tear duct openings is the most effective approach to treating dry eyes. This method backs up or preserves the fluid or tears that are present. A temporary blockage is accomplished by using a punctum plug. If the result is satisfactory to the patient, a laser can be used to permanently close the tear duct. Southwestern Eye Center has Dr. Pfister and Dr. Campion who are dry eye specialists.
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