America Top 10

  • Home
  • Find A Top 10 List
  • News & Information
  • Our History
  • Contact Us

What is Dry Eye Syndrome?

October 1, 2015 By Elizabeth Leave a Comment

Are you frequently experiencing a burning and itching sensation on your eyes? Does it even hurt sometimes? Do they appear red and irritated? You might have a condition called dry eye syndrome. It is a common disorder of eyes, specifically the tear film, affecting a lot of people in the general population, especially those older than 40 years of age. How does one acquire it? How do you treat it?

woman with dry eyes applying eye drops

 

First, some basic concepts. Tears are not just for showing emotions, as you will see. They are actually necessary for maintaining the health of the front surface of the eye and for providing clear vision. Normally, with each blink of the eyelids, tears are spread across the front surface of the eye which then provides lubrication. The tears also reduce the risk of eye infection, wash away foreign material, and keep the surface of the eyes smooth and clear. They do not overflow because tears exit the eyes into small drainage ducts which then drain in the back of the nose. This explains why sometimes we need to sniff when crying.

In dry eye syndrome, the tears are not enough in amount or quality to lubricate and nourish the eyes.  As a result, the cornea becomes dry, irritated, and red in color. Infection and inflammation may then set in.

People with dry eyes either do not produce enough tears or have a poor quality of tears. Dry eyes can be a chronic condition as well, but your physician can prescribe eye ointments or eye drops to keep your eyes lubricated and prevent your vision from being affected.

One of the primary approaches used to manage and treat mild cases of dry eyes is indeed adding tears using over-the-counter or prescribed artificial tear solutions. However, some people may have persistent dry eyes that don’t respond to artificial tears alone and these are the extreme cases for which prompt consult to a ophthalmologist is a must. Addition of omega-3 fatty acid nutritional supplements, warm compresses, and lid massages are also some preventive measures that work.

 

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Random Fact

It takes a lobster approximately seven years to grow to be one pound.

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Twitter

Related Information

<?php echo Easy Wicking Tubs; ?>

Easy Wicking Tubs

June 18, 2019 By Elizabeth

<?php echo What is a Neurologist; ?>

What is a Neurologist

June 16, 2019 By Elizabeth

<?php echo Birdhouses from Recycled Material; ?>

Birdhouses from Recycled Material

June 14, 2019 By Elizabeth

<?php echo Rained In? Go to the Library!; ?>

Rained In? Go to the Library!

June 12, 2019 By Elizabeth

<?php echo Benefits to Brow Threading; ?>

Benefits to Brow Threading

June 9, 2019 By Elizabeth

About America Top 10

It is all thanks to you! We never envisioned when America Top 10 launched way back in 2011 that we would come this far this fast. And it is all thanks to you. You have made America Top 10 the successful resource it is for tens of thousands of people like you every single day.

And we cherish all the wise advice, suggestions, questions, and comments you send us every day even if we do not get a chance to get back with every single one. We take pride in helping people find trustworthy sources in their local areas and we hope to keep doing this for a very long time.

Recent Articles

  • Nerve Neuropathy
  • Easy Wicking Tubs
  • What is a Neurologist
  • Birdhouses from Recycled Material
  • Rained In? Go to the Library!

Search

Copyright © 2021 America Top 10. All Rights Reserved.