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.
County Of Santa Clara
Prithvi Mruthyunjaya is an Ophthalmologist in San Jose, California. Dr. Mruthyunjaya and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Dry Eye Syndrome. His top areas of expertise are Melanoma of the Eye, Retinal Detachment, Diabetic Retinopathy, Vitrectomy, and Trabeculectomy.
Spectrum Eye Physicians
Jeanie Paik is an Ophthalmologist in San Jose, California. Dr. Paik and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Dry Eye Syndrome. Her top areas of expertise are Pterygium, Interstitial Keratitis, Macular Corneal Dystrophy Type 1, Cataract Removal, and Corneal Transplant.
Randal Pham is an Ophthalmologist in San Jose, California. Dr. Pham and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Dry Eye Syndrome. His top areas of expertise are Pterygium, Allergic Conjunctivitis, Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye), and Adult-Onset Vitelliform Macular Dystrophy (AVMD).
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 multi-center, open-label, multi-ascending dose study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, PK, PD, immunogenicity, and preliminary clinical response of DR-0201 following IV administration in subjects with SLE, CLE, pSS, PM/DM, and/or dcSSc.
Background: -Sjogren s Disease is a disease that affects about 1-4 million Americans. It is more common in women. It mainly affects the glands that produce saliva and tears, leading to dry eyes and dry mouth. The cause of Sjogren s Disease is unknown, but inflammation plays an important role. The purpose of this study is to learn more about Sjogren s Disease.
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.