Dry eye syndrome - there is a solution!

Tears form in several glands located around the eyes. With each blink, the eyelids distribute the tear over the surface of the eye. Excess tears are removed through two tiny drainage ducts from the inner corner of the eye to the nose.

Dry eye syndrome has many causes. One of the most common causes of dryness is simply the normal aging process, accompanied by a decrease in fluid production in the body (60% less at the age of 65 than at the age of 18). In women, this process is usually more pronounced.

Many other factors such as hot, dry, or windy climates, high altitude, air conditioning, and cigarette smoke also cause dry eyes. Wearing contact lenses can also lead to dryness, as they absorb part of the tear and a protein coating forms on the surface of the lens. Certain medications, thyroid diseases, vitamin A deficiency, and diseases such as Parkinson's and Sjogren's disease can also cause dryness. Menopausal women also often have problems with dry eyes due to hormonal changes.

To diagnose dry eye syndrome, the doctor uses special coloring drops and test strips. It determines the volume of production, the evaporation rate, and the quality of the tear film.

The treatment of this condition is very individual. For some, it is enough to use artificial tears on a regular basis or simply humidify the air in the room. In more severe cases, it is now possible to carry out a simple and very effective procedure – closing the outflow of tears through the hole in the eyelid with special inserts called "spot occlusion". It works like a plug in a sink drain – the tear does not flow out, as a result of which the eye remains moist.

Also, with small lifestyle changes, it is possible to achieve a significant reduction in irritation from dry eyes. For example, drink eight to ten glasses of water a day, which keeps the body hydrated and flushes harmful toxins from the body.

The treatment of dry eye syndrome is important not only for eye comfort, but also for corneal health.