|
Dry
Eye Syndrome
If your eyes feel
irritated, dry or scratchy on windy days, it may be a sign that
you have dry eye syndrome.
It's a condition in which your
eyes fail to produce enough tears or produce tears that don't
have the proper chemical composition, says the Saskatchewan Association
of Optometrists.
It's estimated about 10 million
Americans suffer from dry eye syndrome.
In many people, dry eye is a natural
part of growing older. However, it can be caused by other things,
such as blinking or eyelid problems, or medications including
antihistamines, oral contraceptives and antidepressants.
Other possible causes of dry eye
include: chemical or thermal burns to your eyes; health problems
such as arthritis or Sjogren's syndrome; general health problems;
a dry climate; and wind and dust.
Symptoms of dry eye syndrome include
irritated, dry, red or scratchy eyes. There may be a burning sensation,
blurred vision or the sensation that there's foreign material
in your eyes.
Excessive dry eye can cause damage
to eye tissue, corneal scarring, impaired vision, and make it
difficult to wear contact lenses.
If you suspect you have dry eye,
see an eye specialist for an examination. There is no cure for
dry eye, but there are treatments to keep your eyes healthy and
forestall eye damage and vision problems.
They include blinking more often,
increasing humidity levels at home and/or work, and using artificial
tears and moisturizing ointment.
In some cases, eye doctors will
insert small plugs in the corner of the eyes to slow tear drainage.
Another treatment is surgery to close tear drainage ducts.
More information
Here's where to go to learn more
about dry
eye syndrome.
Reference
Source 101
For
more information on how to prevent other diseases, use
PreventDisease.com's "Quick
Prevention Resources".
|
