Dry Eye Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms & Effective Treatments

Dry eye syndrome results from an insufficient quantity or quality of tears lubricating the eye. It can cause constant pain from eye irritation, as well as a sandy or gritty sensation. If untreated, this syndrome can lead to scarring or ulceration of the cornea, and loss of vision.

Things You'll Need

• Artificial Tears

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Instructions

• 1

  Go to your ophthalmologist if you experience an occasional burning sensation in the eyes during times of low humidity or high pollution, a persistent and painful gritty sensation, or lowered tolerance of contact lenses.

• 2

  Read about the type of dry eye syndrome that you have. Depending on the cause, dry eye syndrome can be treated as a temporary problem or as a lifelong disease requiring long-term treatment.

• 3

  Be aware that in the early stages, the symptoms can come and go. Sometimes symptoms are worse in the morning, lessening as the day goes by.

• 4

  Stay away from dust, pollen and tobacco smoke, which can aggravate this syndrome.

• 5

  Talk with your doctor about using artificial tears or ointments for temporary relief. New types of eye drops, hormone therapy and antibiotics are often prescribed.

• 6

  Be sure to inform your ophthalmologist about any other medications you are taking. Medications may be responsible for more than half of all cases of dry eyes.

• 7

  Consider permanent closure of the tear duct or punctal occlusion if yours is a persistent dry eye syndrome. Punctal occlusion allows you to retain your own natural tears without the bother or expense of constantly replacing the tear film with artificial tears.

• 8

  Ask about punctum plugs, the least invasive of the long-term solutions to dry eye syndrome. A small, soft silicone plug, about the size of a sesame seed, is nonsurgically inserted into the natural punctal opening. It is done very quickly and may offer immediate relief.