Dry eye syndrome, also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, is a condition where the eyes don’t produce enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly, causing discomfort and potential vision problems. Dry eye syndrome can be a chronic condition or something that occurs only occasionally. It’s often associated with aging and other eye problems, such as blepharitis or inflammation of the eyelids.
Symptoms
Dry eye syndrome is a common condition that can cause irritation, redness, and pain in your eyes. It’s usually caused by a lack of natural tears that normally lubricate the surface of your eyes.
The symptoms of dry eye syndrome can vary from person to person, and may include:
• A gritty feeling in the eyes
• A burning sensation in the eyes
• Tearing up more than usual
• Eye pain or discomfort when you blink or look at something close up
Treatment
Treatment for dry eye syndrome is based on the cause of your symptoms, but can include eye drops and other medications.
Dry eye syndrome can be treated with artificial tears, says Dr David Stager which are available over-the-counter. These eye drops contain preservatives that keep them from spoiling, as well as chemicals that coat the surface of your eyes and help lubricate them. If you have severe symptoms, your doctor may recommend prescription tears.
In some cases, dry eye syndrome may be caused by an underlying condition, such as allergies or rosacea. If this is the case for you, treating the underlying condition will often relieve your dry eye symptoms. You may also need to use prescription medications to treat these conditions and reduce inflammation around your eyes.
Prevention
You’ve heard it before, but it bears repeating: the best way to prevent dry eye is to keep your eyes hydrated.
Here are a few tips for keeping your eyes in tip-top shape:
• Try not to rub your eyes—this can push tears away from the surface of your cornea and make you more likely to develop dry eye.
• Use eye drops as often as you need them—this will help prevent a build-up of tears in the eyes, which can lead to more severe problems like redness or irritation.
