Dry Eye Syndrome Overview
Learn About Dry Eye Syndrome
You need tears to moisten the eyes and to wash away particles that have gotten into your eyes. A healthy tear film on the eye is necessary for good vision.
Dry eyes develop when the eye is unable to maintain a healthy coating of tears.
Keratitis sicca; Xerophthalmia; Keratoconjunctivitis sicca
Dry eye syndrome commonly occurs in people who are otherwise healthy. It becomes more common with older age. This can occur due to hormonal changes that make your eyes produce fewer tears. Dry eye syndrome is sometimes caused or worsened by a condition called meibomianitis, which changes the normal tear film.
Other common causes of dry eyes include:
- Dry environment or workplace (wind, air conditioning)
- Sun exposure
- Smoking or second-hand smoke exposure
- Cold or allergy medicines
- Wearing contact lenses
Dry eye syndrome can also be caused by:
- Heat or chemical burns
- Previous eye surgery
- Use of eye drops for other eye diseases
- An uncommon autoimmune disorder in which the glands that produce tears are destroyed (Sjögren syndrome)
Symptoms may include:
- Blurred vision
- Burning, itching, or redness in the eye
- Gritty or scratchy feeling in the eye
- Sensitivity to light
The first step in treatment is artificial tears. These come as preserved (screw cap bottle) and unpreserved (twist open vial). Preserved tears are more convenient, but some people are sensitive to preservatives. There are many brands available without a prescription.
Start using the drops at least 2 to 4 times per day. If your symptoms are not better after a couple of weeks of regular use:
- Increase use (up to every 2 hours).
- Change to unpreserved drops if you have been using the preserved type.
- Try a different brand.
- Talk to your health care provider if you cannot find a brand that works for you.
Other treatments may include:
- Fish oil 2 to 3 times per day
- Glasses, goggles or contact lenses that keep moisture in the eyes
- Medicines such as cyclosporine (Restasis) or lifitegrast (Xiidra), corticosteroid eye drops, and oral tetracycline and doxycycline
- Tiny plugs placed in the tear drainage ducts to help moisture stay on the surface of the eye longer
Other helpful steps include:
- DO NOT smoke.
- Avoid second-hand smoke, direct wind, and air conditioning.
- Use a humidifier, particularly in the winter.
- Limit allergy and cold medicines that may dry you out and worsen your symptoms.
- Purposefully blink more often. Rest your eyes once in a while.
- Clean eyelashes regularly and apply warm compresses.
Some dry eye symptoms are due to sleeping with the eyes slightly open. Lubricating ointments work best for this problem. You should use them only in small amounts since they can blur your vision. It is best to use them before sleep.
Surgery may be helpful if symptoms are because the eyelids are in an abnormal position.
Osu Eye Physicians And Surgeons, LLC
Tyler Oostra is an Ophthalmologist in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Oostra and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Dry Eye Syndrome. His top areas of expertise are Keratoconus, Neurotrophic Keratitis, Interstitial Keratitis, and Peters Plus Syndrome. Dr. Oostra is currently accepting new patients.
Osu Eye Physicians And Surgeons, LLC
Andrew Hendershot is an Ophthalmologist in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Hendershot and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Dry Eye Syndrome. His top areas of expertise are Keratoconus, Coloboma, Coloboma of Iris, Cataract, and Corneal Transplant. Dr. Hendershot is currently accepting new patients.
Osu Eye Physicians And Surgeons, LLC
Amit Tandon is an Ophthalmologist in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Tandon and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Dry Eye Syndrome. His top areas of expertise are Cataract, Dry Eye Syndrome, Allergic Conjunctivitis, and Lenz Microphthalmia Syndrome. Dr. Tandon is currently accepting new patients.
Most people with dry eye syndrome have only discomfort, and no vision loss.
In severe cases, the clear covering on the eye (cornea) may become damaged or infected.
Contact your provider right away if:
- You have red or painful eyes.
- You have flaking, discharge, or a sore on your eye or eyelid.
- You have had an injury to your eye, or if you have a bulging eye or a drooping eyelid.
- You have joint pain, swelling, or stiffness and a dry mouth along with dry eye symptoms.
- Your eyes do not get better with self-care within a few days.
Stay away from dry environments and things that irritate your eyes to help prevent symptoms.
Summary: This is a single site, prospective, cross-sectional, controlled clinical study on a total of 66 subjects. The subjects are divided into two groups: Hypertonic Saline Non-Responders (33 subjects) and Hypertonic Saline Responders (33 subjects). After completion of questionnaires, the subjects will undergo Dry Eye Disease testing and functional nerve testing. Subjects who qualify will be dispensed 4 ...
Summary: This phase Ib trial studies the side effects of nivolumab and to see how well it works in treating patients with autoimmune disorders and cancer that has spread to other places in the body or cannot removed by surgery. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as nivolumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and sprea...
Published Date: November 10, 2022
Published By: Franklin W. Lusby, MD, Ophthalmologist, Lusby Vision Institute, La Jolla, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Brissette AR, Bohm KJ, Starr CE. Dry eye overview: classification and treatment overview. In: Mannis MJ, Holland EJ, eds. Cornea. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 31.
Dhawlikar NS, Holdstein MH, Rao NK. Dry eye disease. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 4.23
Jeang LA. Dry eye syndrome. In: Kellerman RD, Rakel DP, Heidelbaugh JJ, Lee EM, eds. Conn's Current Therapy 2023. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier: 2023;509-511.