Dry Eye Disease
Dry eye is an increasingly common condition, which afflicts hundreds of millions of people worldwide.What is Dry Eye?
As its name suggests, dry eye is where the eye becomes dry (although confusingly it can be when the eye is very watery). Normally, the tear glands produce a tear film over our eye, which lubricates and helps protect the eye. But if the tear glands become blocked through an associated aggravating problem, or from not blinking often enough or closing fully on blink, our eyes no longer have the right fluid balance. This is known as dry eye and for those who suffer with it, the pain can be unbearable – many say on a par with angina. Ouch!
There is no known cure for dry eye and many just put up with it, especially when the symptoms are mild. But you don’t have to. Dry eye is manageable. Through a range of treatments and regular eye management, you can relieve the symptoms.
Tim – our Dry Eye expert
“Dry Eye can be caused by many factors including our lifestyle, health and age – like many conditions, it affects us more as we get older and is particularly common in women post menopause, contact lens wearers and you’re even more susceptible to dry eye after laser surgery. Some of these factors can lead to an imbalance in the tear quantity and quality.
Dry Eye is not curable but it is manageable and it’s about maintaining good quality of life and relief from the pain of Dry Eye Disease. Think of your eyes as you would a machine or a car – it needs lubrication and a regular service to remain problem free. So a regular check-up, like an MOT, will help identify dry eye and other conditions as soon as possible, so that effective treatment can be prescribed.”
Symptoms of Dry Eye?
Modern lifestyle also has an effect on dry eye symptoms – this is increasingly worrying. Excessive screen use and less blinking as a result of concentrating are both contributing to Dry Eye, by leading to factors that can imbalance the tear film.
Dry Eye is not just associated with getting older now. many of working age are experiencing symptoms from spending more time in front of screens and other devices.
Simple steps for managing dry eye
Using drops regularly - and using the correct ones for your type of dry eye and always opt for preservative-free.
Use heat and massage to regularly help clean out your tear-producing glands.
Taking suplements such as Nutrof Total, which contain a balance of nutrients, including fatty acids which help relieve dry eye
Keep up with your eye health regime to prevent dry eye returning
Dry eye – your questions answered
What is Dry Eye?
Dry Eye is a condition where the surface of the eye becomes inflamed and sore due to a poor relationship between the tear film and the eyelids.
It might be because you don’t have enough tears or the tear film make up is out of chemical balance. One of the most common causes of Dry Eye is inflammation of the eyelids – known as Blepharitis. The other is Meibomian Gland Disfunction (MGD)
How common is Dry Eye?
You are not alone! One in 5 adults suffer with Dry Eye EVERY DAY. Many more suffer this condition in certain environments such as air conditioned rooms or spending prolonged time at the computer screen (where the blink rate is reduced).
What can I do to help?
Avoid air-conditioning, stay hydrated – drink plenty of fluids, protect your eyes with sunglasses and take regular breaks from your computer.
What about diet - does that affect Dry Eye?
It is important to eat a healthy balanced diet that includes Omega-3 fatty acids for eye health. In addition you might want to consider a suplement, such as Nutrof Total which contains a balance of essential vitamins and minerals for general health, plus some key ingredients which help promote healthy eyes.
How is Dry Eye managed?
Dry Eye is a chronic condition that needs to be regularly managed rather than ‘cured’. A bit like skin conditions such as Eczema – you need to manage it to avoid flare-ups!
Will using eye drops help?
In general, yes – eye drops are effectively artifical tears and using the correct lubricant drops is key to managing your Dry Eye. In most cases drops only mask the root cause which in around 80% of cases can be Meibomian Gland Disfunction.
Soothing Dry Eye
a film from one of our recommended partners
Types of Dry Eye
There are two types of Dry Eye – evaporative and aqueous deficient. You may have either or a combination of the two types. The right course of treatment is important to combat the condition and your optician will guide you accordingly.
At Benjamin Opticians we now have a comprehensive assessment using the latest technology to identify and assess your condition and then provide the right course of treatment specifically for you.
Recommended Dry Eye Products
There are a number of products our experts may recommend, according to the extent and type of your dry eye.
The Thea range of Thealoz Duo and Hyabak we recommend for aqueous deficient dry eye (lack of tears). These are preservative free and effectively replace the lost the water content in the tears.
Systane Balance for evaporative dry eye (where Mybomium Gland Dysfunction is often prevelant) and Systane Complete for mixed dry eye – both evaporative and aqueous deficient dry eye. Both contain Lipids for enhancing the lipid layer, depleted with evaporative dry eye.
Hyabak
Hyabak Dry Eye drops are suitable for all Dry Eye sufferers looking for an everyday drop, providing long-lasting relief. Ideal for contact lens wearers.
Thealoz Duo
Thealoz® Duo Dry Eye drops are suitable for all Dry Eye sufferers looking for the latest drop, as they combine both long-lasting relief and protection for the surface of the eye.
Thealoz Duo Gel
Thealoz® Duo Gel Eye drops are suitable for more severe dry eye or for night time use as it combines both long-lasting relief and protection for the surface of the eye, with a carbomer gel which gives added staying power.
Systane Complete
SYSTANE® COMPLETE. Made up of tiny, nano-sized droplets, this soothing eye drop forms a matrix of protection, optimal dry eye relief and fast hydration and tear evaporation protection.
Systane Balance
SYSTANE® BALANCE Lubricant Eye Drops help support and restore your eyes’ delicate lipid layer by replenishing essential moisture to your eyes