Dry eye
Dry eye is a condition in which the eyes are not adequately lubricated by tears. This condition means that the eye cannot remove dust or foreign objects that disturb the eye. As a result, the eyes become very uncomfortable.
With healthy eyes, the cornea will continue to be filled with tears when the eyes blink, feed corneal cells and protect the cornea from the outside environment. Tears are compounds of fat, water, mucus and more than 1500 proteins that keep the surface of the eye smooth and protected from the environment, irritating elements or germs that cause infections. When the glands around the eyes cannot produce enough tears or when the composition of the tears changes, the outer surface of the eye, which is used to bring light to the eye, can also be disturbed.
Another name for dry eye is sicca keratoconjunctivitis or dry eye syndrome. Women are more likely to have dry eyes than men and the risk of dry eyes also increases with age.
Symptoms of dry eyes
Symptoms commonly experienced by people with dry eyes include:
The severity of dry eye varies from mild to severe. But in most cases, the symptoms are still relatively mild.
Dry eye symptoms can get worse when the patient is in certain conditions, for example by looking at a computer screen for hours, for too long in an environment where the air is dry or reading a book for a long time. Dry eye can cause inflammation on the surface of the eye, causing scarring in the cornea or bacterial infection.
Causes of dry eyes
Several conditions can cause dry eyes, namely:
Diagnosis of dry eye
Before conducting a physical examination, the ophthalmologist will ask the patient to show symptoms and their disease history to determine the diagnosis of dry eye.
To measure the patient's tear volume, the doctor will perform a Schirmer test. With this test, the doctor will measure the degree of dry eye by attaching special pieces of paper that can absorb liquid in the lower eyelid for 5 minutes. Eyes are classified as dry eyes if the size of the wet paper is less than 10 millimeters in 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, to determine the state of the surface of the eye, it is possible to carry out tests using eye drops that contain a special coloring (fluorescein dye test). After giving eye drops to the patient, the doctor can see the pattern of eye color changes and determine how quickly the eyes dry. This fluorescein staining test can also show damaged areas on the surface of the eye.
To see damage to the surface of the eyeball, you can also observe a green lissamine test or a special stain on paper. Then the paper will be moistened with a salt solution and placed on the surface of the eye. Thanks to the color pattern that attaches to the surface of the eyeball, the doctor can see early signs of eye damage. In addition to eye examinations, a general physical examination will also be carried out to investigate the cause of dry eye.
Care for dry eyes
The purpose of dry eye manipulation is to help patients relieve symptoms and overcome the causes of their dry eyes. If the cause of dry eye is related to medical factors, the first step to take care is to defeat the cause. For example, if the cause is a side effect from drug use, the doctor may encourage patients to replace drugs that do not cause dry eye side effects.
For dry eyes that are classified as mild or sometimes, patients can use artificial eye lubricants or tears, in the form of eye drops, gels or ointments that are sold freely at the pharmacy. These medicines can moisturize the eyes and replace tears.
In addition, other efforts can also be made at home to relieve symptoms or prevent dry eye syndrome, namely:
As a general rule, symptoms of dry eye can be controlled after treatment. However, there are also patients who still suffer from dry eye syndrome after treatment, even complaints last a lifetime.
Dry eye complications
Dryness of the eye can cause the risk of eye infection due to lack of tearing, damage to the surface of the eye due to untreated dry eyes, causing conjunctivitis, corneal injury and other complications. , open sores on corneal and vision problems. Dry eye syndrome also causes difficulties for people who suffer in their daily activities, such as reading or driving a vehicle.
Another name for dry eye is sicca keratoconjunctivitis or dry eye syndrome. Women are more likely to have dry eyes than men and the risk of dry eyes also increases with age.
Symptoms of dry eyes
Symptoms commonly experienced by people with dry eyes include:
- Red eye.
- His eyes are hot.
- His eyes are sandy and dry.
- Watery eyes are caused by the body's reaction to irritation of dry eyes.
- Sensitive to the sun.
- Blurred vision
- Difficult to open eyes when you wake up, because the upper and lower eyelids stick.
- There is mucus in or around the eyes.
- Difficulty wearing contact lenses or driving at night.
- Eyes get tired quickly.
The severity of dry eye varies from mild to severe. But in most cases, the symptoms are still relatively mild.
Dry eye symptoms can get worse when the patient is in certain conditions, for example by looking at a computer screen for hours, for too long in an environment where the air is dry or reading a book for a long time. Dry eye can cause inflammation on the surface of the eye, causing scarring in the cornea or bacterial infection.
Causes of dry eyes
Several conditions can cause dry eyes, namely:
- Reduction of tear production. This condition is caused by old age, certain diseases (eg diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, Sjogren's syndrome, thyroid hormone disorders, vitamin A deficiency), consumption of certain drugs (antihistamines, decongestants, antidepressants, antihypertensive drugs, acne medications) . , Drugs against Parkinson's disease or drugs for the treatment of hormone replacement therapy), lacrimal gland lesions due to irradiation or laser eye surgery.
- Tears evaporate faster. This condition can be caused by bad weather (wind, smoke, dry air), conditions that make it rarely blink (when you read or work too long in front of a computer screen), eyelids that change outwards (ectropion) or turn inward ( entropion).
- Tear composition is not balanced. Tears consist of 3 compositions, namely oil, water and mucus, with a certain composition. When this composition changes, for example due to obstruction of the sebaceous glands, blepharitis or rosacea, it can cause eye drying.
- Age above 50 years. As we get older, tear production tends to decrease.
- Experiment with hormonal changes This condition often occurs in women who experience hormonal changes due to pregnancy, contraceptive pills, and menopause.
- A diet low in vitamin A.
- Wear contact lenses.
Diagnosis of dry eye
Before conducting a physical examination, the ophthalmologist will ask the patient to show symptoms and their disease history to determine the diagnosis of dry eye.
To measure the patient's tear volume, the doctor will perform a Schirmer test. With this test, the doctor will measure the degree of dry eye by attaching special pieces of paper that can absorb liquid in the lower eyelid for 5 minutes. Eyes are classified as dry eyes if the size of the wet paper is less than 10 millimeters in 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, to determine the state of the surface of the eye, it is possible to carry out tests using eye drops that contain a special coloring (fluorescein dye test). After giving eye drops to the patient, the doctor can see the pattern of eye color changes and determine how quickly the eyes dry. This fluorescein staining test can also show damaged areas on the surface of the eye.
To see damage to the surface of the eyeball, you can also observe a green lissamine test or a special stain on paper. Then the paper will be moistened with a salt solution and placed on the surface of the eye. Thanks to the color pattern that attaches to the surface of the eyeball, the doctor can see early signs of eye damage. In addition to eye examinations, a general physical examination will also be carried out to investigate the cause of dry eye.
Care for dry eyes
The purpose of dry eye manipulation is to help patients relieve symptoms and overcome the causes of their dry eyes. If the cause of dry eye is related to medical factors, the first step to take care is to defeat the cause. For example, if the cause is a side effect from drug use, the doctor may encourage patients to replace drugs that do not cause dry eye side effects.
For dry eyes that are classified as mild or sometimes, patients can use artificial eye lubricants or tears, in the form of eye drops, gels or ointments that are sold freely at the pharmacy. These medicines can moisturize the eyes and replace tears.
In addition, other efforts can also be made at home to relieve symptoms or prevent dry eye syndrome, namely:
- Protect your eyes from environments that cause dry eyes, especially windy, hot, smoky, or dusty. Avoid the environment or use glasses and use a moisturizer or air filter in the room.
- Avoid using eye makeup.
- Quit smoking.
- Set work time in front of the computer screen.
- Be careful about eye hygiene by using warm compresses on the glands around the eyes and removing dirt or oil on the eyelids.
- Many people consume omega-3 fatty acids, which can improve dry eye conditions. Omega-3 is found in many types of fish, such as mackerel, tuna, sardines or salmon.
- Medicine. Drugs commonly used to treat dry eyes are antibiotics to relieve inflammation of the eyelids and immunosuppressive drugs (such as cyclosporin or corticosteroids) which can reduce inflammation in the cornea of the eye. However, prolonged use of corticosteroids can cause side effects. Meanwhile, to encourage tear production, doctors can provide cholinergic drugs, such as pilocarpine. If dry eye is still not resolved, your doctor may recommend using eye drops made and processed from the person's blood (autologous serum eye drops).
- LipiFlow thermal pulsation. This tool aims to open the oil gland barrier that causes dry eyes. During this therapy, a bowl-shaped instrument will be placed in the eye and will give a gentle and warm massage to the lower eyelid.
- Intense pulsed light therapy. Light therapy followed by eyelid massage can help people with severe dry eyes.
- Special lens. Contact lenses, called scleral lenses, are recommended so that patients can protect the surface of the eye and retain moisture.
- Surgery This procedure can be done in cases of severe dry eyes and cannot be treated with other treatments. This operation is done by blocking the lacrimal drain permanently, so that the surface of the eye is always moist. Another operation is an automatic salivary gland transplant. In this procedure, the lower lip salivary glands are removed to be placed in the skin around the eyes to replace the lacrimal glands.
As a general rule, symptoms of dry eye can be controlled after treatment. However, there are also patients who still suffer from dry eye syndrome after treatment, even complaints last a lifetime.
Dry eye complications
Dryness of the eye can cause the risk of eye infection due to lack of tearing, damage to the surface of the eye due to untreated dry eyes, causing conjunctivitis, corneal injury and other complications. , open sores on corneal and vision problems. Dry eye syndrome also causes difficulties for people who suffer in their daily activities, such as reading or driving a vehicle.
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