Dry Eye, Artificial Tears, Other Treatment Options

Newspaper article from The Second Wind

Dear Doctor Weaver,

Recently, I have been experiencing a lot of dryness in both of my eyes. Is there anything that you would recommend? And why do my eyes seem to feel worse during the winter months?

Margaret

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Dear Margaret,

Dry eye can cause many symptoms, such as burning, tearing, redness, foreign body sensation, irritation, and temporary blurred vision. Many people experience dry eye symptoms all year-round, with certain periods of the year being more bothersome. Some people are affected by environmental conditions, such as the wind and decrease in humidity found during the winter. Others are affected by dry air heat that is commonly found in most homes and work environments. In either case, there are many solutions that can help you out.

The easiest solution is the use of artificial tears, or lubricating eye drops. These eye drops are formulated to coat the front surface of the eye like your natural tears. Such name brands include Systane, Refresh Tears, Bion Tears, and Tears Naturale, just to name a few. Most come packaged in a multi-dose bottle. However, some people are sensitive to the preservatives that are found in this kind of packaging. For those individuals, there are single-dose vials that do not contain any preservatives, which may feel more comforting to the eye.

These over-the-counter eye drops can be used on a regular bases (such as four times a day) or as needed. There are also gel formulations (ointments) that are more viscous. The thicker gel tends to blur vision more so than the lubricating drops, which is why it is typically reserved for use right before bed and first thing in the morning.

But if you’ve already tried these products, and are still having problems, there are other options available.

If you are a contact lens wearer, you should consider changing lens materials if you haven’t already done so. The newest technology for contact lenses now allow much more oxygen to travel through the contact lens to the eye, drastically reducing symptoms of dryness. Such examples of these contact lenses are Ciba’s Focus Night & Day, Bausch & Lomb’s Purevision, and Vistakon’s Acuvue Oasys.

However, even changing contact lenses may not be enough. The truth is, as the body ages, changes in the anatomy occur everywhere, including the eyelids. It is possible that the natural oil glands of the eyelids aren’t producing enough tears, or possibly that those tear ducts are clogged. Using a hot wash cloth on the eyelids while the eyes are closed sometimes stimulates tear production and unclogs static oil glands. Doing this on a routine basis, such four times a day for five minutes at a time, usually helps.

There are oral nutritional supplements that have been found to be beneficial for people suffering from chronic dryness. These over-the-counter supplements include Theratears Nutrition, Dry Vites, and Hydroeye to name a few. They basically contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are thought to keep the tear production system healthy. A diet can be changed to include more omega-3 fatty acids, or using the nutritive supplements containing flax seed oil or fish oils would also work.

It has recently been discovered that dry eye symptoms can be the result of inflammation. If you have tried over-the-counter drops and gels and are still having symptoms of dryness, you should seriously consider seeing your eye doctor for more specific treatment. Your eye doctor may prescribe a low-dose steroid eye drop in addition with your lubricating drops to help control this inflammation. He/she may also prescribe a topical cyclosporin medication called Restasis to help with moderate/severe dry eye.

Essentially, dry eye symptoms can occur in anyone, at any time of year. If left untreated, it can cause unnecessary discomfort and vision problems. It is recommended that you consult with your eyecare professional for guidance and assistance in this matter.