Dry Eye Disease

Dry eye is a condition in which there is a persistent lack of moisture in the eye, the cornea is not moisturised enough and this in turn causes discomfort. The so-called “dry eye” is a common problem and affects 5–35% of the population during their lifetime.

Risk factors are:

• environmental – low air humidity, electric heating, fans, and air conditioners

• working with a computer – constantly staring at a screen and forgetting to blink

• low fluid intake

• medications (e.g. antidepressants, heart and blood pressure medications)

• autoimmune diseases (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome)

• diabetes and thyroid disorders

• hormonal imbalances (especially pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, older women)

• post-operative condition after cataract surgery or glasses removal surgery

• eyelid inflammation

Common complaints: 

• tingling

• pain

• tears

A dry eye forces the lacrimal glands to produce tears quickly, but the tears produced in a hurry do not have the substances that keep the tear fluid in the eyelid.

• so-called „glowing eyes”

• sensitivity to light – particularly disturbed by daylight bulbs

• fluctuations in visual acuity (especially when reading). Blinking eases this, as tears exit the eye from the tear ducts and moisten the eye
• redness

• eye strain

• incapacity to work

• it is easies to listen to than watch the TV in the evenings

Diagnostics:

• a person’s subjective assessment of their eyes – different questionnaires are implemented

• inimese subjektiivne hinnang silmade kohta – kasutatakse erinevaid küsimustikke

• examination with a slit-lamp

• Schirmer test – the amount of tears is measured with special paper strips

• assessing the evaporation of tear fluid from the eye surface

• evaluating the condition of the meibomian glands

Solutions:

• artificial tears – are not medicines and overdose is not possible. They should be used several times a day.

• prescription drugs

• closing the tear points

• intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment – reduces inflammation, constricts blood vessels, and intensifies the work of the meibomian glands. Additionally helpful in the treatment of effect rosacea, acne, and couperose.