How to Treat Dry Eyes

We all know that our whole body works on energy, and this energy is circulated in the body by electrical and magnetic waves. For our sense organs to function this energy is continuously used up, more so with the eyes. As soon as we wake up, we use our eyes before we use any other sense organs. Even during sleep our eyes are continuously moving, so much so that by the end of the day what we get is tired eyes.

Because the uses over 80% of our total energy output and if there is some deficiency in them the energy used is more leading to the tiredness of eyes. Eyes get nourishment from the tears in fact 70% of the nutrition to the eyes is through the tears. Hence it is necessary for the eyes to have enough water or lubrication for proper nutrition, thereby preventing tiredness of the eyes, and if you are wondering how this is related to dry eyes and how can we cure it this article may come in handy.

Learn about the causes of dry eye.
Tears form on top of the cornea and conjunctiva of the eye. Integrity of the tear film is important and is maintained because of the composition of the tear film itself. Essentially, it consists of three layers-lipid, watery and mucus layers. The muscular layer lies adjacent to the microvilli of the epithelial cell of the cornea. As this cell is hydrophobic and cannot absorb water by itself, the mucus layer swells with water and transfers the water molecules through the cell membrane of the microvilli. Thus deficiency of the tear film leads to the dries of the cornea cells and eyes.

Search for the proper treatment.

• Effective treatment of dry eyes requires a careful examination to determine which factor is causing the symptoms. The main aim of the treatment is to keep the eyes moist. The initial treatment is usually the use demulcent eye drops viz, artificial tears. These lubricate the eyes, and relieve the symptoms.
• Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is the most commonly used medication followed by Carboxy Methycellulose. Those with severe dry eyes require more aggressive therapy with lachrymal punctual occlusion plugs.
• Dry eyes due to diseases of the meibomian glands and blepharitis generally respond well to treatment with an antibiotic eye ointment like tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, chloamphenicol.
• Dry eyes can also be the result of inflammation in the lachrymal glands. A vicious cycle follows in that the eye irritated by dry eyes, can over stimulate the nerve fibers of the lachrymal glands which causes further lachrymal gland inflammation due to its over stimulation and thus reducing the tear formation.

Search for alternate treatments.

• Addition of the tears frequent use of preservative-free artificial tears proactively, before beginning an activity that tends to aggravate dry eye symptoms.
• Conservation of tears this can be done by either partially or completely blocking the tear ducts, which normally drain the tears this closure not only conserves or own tears but also the artificial tears.
• Use of artificial tear drops. Artificial tear drops are available over the counter and there are a wide range of them available. It may be necessary that each patient try the many different formulations in order to find the one that gives the greatest relief. A combination of artificial tears may sometime are to be used in case of chronic dry eyes artificial tears have to be used even if the eyes are symptom free.
• Artificial tears are only supplements and not a substitute for natural tears. Eye ointments give comfort due to their lubricating effect and are particularly useful during extended periods when artificial tears cannot be applied.

Try some home remedies.

• Dry eyes cannot be completely cured, however there are some methods that can be used to treat them. Akin to any liquid, tears also evaporate when exposed to air. There are a few simple home remedies that may be followed to help stop evaporation.
• Avoid exposing the eyes to air directly, e.g. a car heater, hair driers, and air conditioners.
• Wear glasses while going out in the sun or while riding and goggles during swimming.
• Keep the home environs humid, between 30 and 50 percent. During winter a humidifier may be used to add moisture to dry indoor air. Additional humidity can be created by wearing special glasses that form a moisture chamber around the eye.
• Try to blink frequently which will help spread the tears more frequently.
• Try avoiding rubbing the eyes.
• Prophylactic use of eye drops before rather than after, when performing activities which are visually demanding

Use artificial tears as eye drops or ointments. Though ointments last longer, they can become messy because of their viscous nature leading to blurred vision.

• Avoid smoking.

Reduce salt in your diet. Dry eyes can come from too much salt in the diet. You can test this for yourself, especially when getting up at night to use the bathroom. If your eyes are now dry, drink a few ounces of water (small coffee size) and see if your eyes don't get nearly immediate relief. If they do, then reduce the salt in your diet and stay hydrated.

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Poor vision can come from a number of things including not washing off your makeup before bed, looking at a computer screen and skipping your routine optometrist appointments.  If you have any further tips to maintain proper eye health, please feel free to share them.

If you have any query about vision problem. Drop in at 20/20 Eyeglass superstore or schedule online eye exam or call 407-767-5600. We look forward seeing you.