Dry Eyes
Dry eye syndrome is a common cause of eye irritation due to the eye surface being inadequately lubricated. Although this condition can affect anyone it tends to occur more often with increasing age and women are affected more than men.
There are two main causes of dry eyes:
- Inadequate tear production: This occurs when the lacrimal tear gland fails to make a normal amount of tears. Baseline tears produced can be measured using a “Schirmers test”. This involves placing a thin strip of filter paper in the outer corner of the eye and checking how wet it becomes over a period of 5 minutes.
- Tear instability: In this situation there is a normal amount of tears produced but the tears evaporate away too quickly, leaving dry areas on the front surface of the eye. The quality of the tear film can be measured using a technique called the “tear break up time”, a test performed using a green dye.
Causes of dry eyes
- Often there is no specific cause other than fewer tears are made with age, especially in post-menopausal females.
- Some medications can cause or exacerbate dry eyes e.g.: diuretics (water tablets), antidepressants and antihistamines.
- Eyelid margin disease, especially posterior blepharitis, which often results in increased tear evaporation from an unstable tear film.
- Rarer general diseases which can be associated with reduced tear production from a diseased lacrimal gland include Sjogrens syndrome.
Dry Eye Treatments covering Sussex
We service Brighton, Eastbourne, Haywards Heath, Hove, Lewes and the surrounding areas
Symptoms of dry eyes
Most commonly both eyes are affected, and possible symptoms include:
- Irritation of the eye surface including burning.
- Irritation of the Intermittent blurring of vision. surface including burning.
- Red eyes, especially later in the day.
- Sensitivity to bright lights (photophobia).
Contact our clinic today to learn more about how we can help you achieve optimal eye health.
Dry eye treatment options
Most people tend to have relatively mild dry eyes and just require artificial tears to supplement their inadequate tear film. The drops are usually required a few times a day, sometimes more often depending on the humidity. When drops are required more than four times a day it is desirable to use a “preservative free” product.
Patients who have a reduced tear production and who are requiring frequent drops throughout the day are often helped by the use of “punctal plugs”. These are a reversible way of reducing the drainage of tears into the nose.
Contact Us
We’re here to answer your questions and help you achieve optimal eye health.
Get In Touch
- Phone: 01903495532
- Location : 1 Brooks Road, Lewes, BN7 2DN
- Email: contact@eyedoctorclinic.co.uk
Opening Hours
- Monday - Saturday 10 am -6 pm