eye health conditions

cataract | computer vision syndrome | diabetic retinopathy | dry eye
glaucoma | keratoconus | macular degeneration

Dry Eye

Dry Eye, or Keratitis Sicca, is one of the most common chronic conditions that affect the human eye. Put very simply, it is an eye that has lost some of its moisture balance. The eye should naturally produce its own tears throughout the day. With each blink, a new layer of tears shoud be laid in place. Normally the tear film has three components: the underlying layer of tears, closest to the eye, made of mucous; a middle layer of tears made up of salt water; and the outermost layer of tears made of oil. All three components of the tear film need to work in harmony in order to function well. If they are out of balance, this can cause symptoms of Dry Eye.

The symptoms can range from nothing at all to blurred vision and severe pain. Most commonly, patients will complain about a gritty or scratchy feeling made worse with contact lenses or environmental influences. The be more prone to eye infection or injury.

While we don't know exactly what causes all cases of dry eye, we do know that it is associated with certain diseases such as arthritis. Some medications, such as diuretics, antibistamines, tranquilizers, antihypertensives, and birth control pills can worsen dry eye. Your environment, (heater or air conditioner, dust, or pollen) may be playing a role in dry eye symptoms as well. Dr. Ni can review which of your health problems and/or medications may be making your dry eye worse. Additionally, she can discuss ways to alter your environment to reduce your symptoms.

How is Dry Eye treated?

Most patients have been told that nothing can be done to treat dry eye. They have been told to stop wearing their contact lenses and to just learn to live with their discomfort. But now there are many new and exciting treatment options to improve the comfort of dry eyes and to continue wearing contact lenses.

Treatment involves the restoration of the tear balance, preferably targeted toward the specific layer that is deficient. Following are some of the recommendations that Dr. Ni may make for your specific treatment. While the treatments have improved greatly, there is still no real cure for most types of dry eye and so most treatments will be life-long.

• Artificial tears

  These lubricating eye drops help to replace each of the components of the tear layer. They can be called artificial tears or natural tears and are available over the counter (without a prescription).

• Flax Seed oil

  This supplement, easily found in most health food stores, is derived from the flax plant's crushed seeds. The amber colored oil is very rich in a type of omega-3 fatty acid called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and potent antioxidant chemicals called lignans. While there is still some controversy regarding exactly how they work and how well they work, flax seed oil taken orally does seem to help relieve many patients' dry eye symptoms, probably by replacing some of the essential oils in the eye.

• Punctal Plugs

  These simple, solid silicone plugs, either temporary or permanent, help to reduce the amount of tears that drain out of the eye. Think of the eye as a sink with the tear gland serving as the faucet and the tear duct serving as the drain. We can decrease the amount of tears being drained out by putting a small plug in the drain.

• Lid Hygiene

  Sometimes the oil glands that line the external rim of the eyelid just behind the eyelashes can get clogged. If so, lid scrubs may be prescribed. This is just a special way to shampoo the eyelid to rid the area of dandruff and bacteria that may be blocking the glands. A topical ointment may sometimes be prescribed if Dr. Ni thinks that there is a significant risk of infection. Hot compresses may also help to express some clogged oil from the glands.