In general, dry eye syndrome is not a severe eye condition, but it can become unpleasant and affect our daily activities if left untreated.
A timely ophthalmologic examination can protect us from the appearance of long-term complications. Dry eye syndrome, depending on the degree of ocular surface involvement, can be classified as mild, moderate, and severe.
What is Dry Eye Syndrome?
Dry eye syndrome encompasses a series of ocular signs and symptoms that appear when tears are insufficient in quantity or their quality is reduced.
Tears play a role in maintaining eye health by protecting them against dust, allergens, and microorganisms. Additionally, they keep the ocular surface hydrated and ensure good vision quality.
In dry eye syndrome, the most common symptoms at onset are the sensation of eye fatigue, stinging, burning, itching, "sand in the eyes", sometimes excessive tearing. Later, we may notice that the eyes become redder, vision disturbances appear, such as temporary blurring of images, doubling of contours, which improve after frequent blinking.
Late in the disease, inflammation, infections, corneal erosions or scars may appear, which permanently affect vision.
Causes
The main causes that can lead to dry eye syndrome are either a decrease in the amount of tears produced by the eyes, or excessive evaporation of tears.
We may have reduced tear production with advancing age, especially in women during menopause, or when some diseases are associated such as:
- rheumatoid arthritis
- lupus
- Sjogren's syndrome (autoimmune diseases)
- diabetes
- thyroid diseases
When we use certain medications long-term, such as antidepressants, antihistamines, oral contraceptives, we may experience symptoms of ocular dryness.
An important cause of dry eye syndrome symptoms is tear evaporation. When we are concentrated and the eyes stare fixedly, whether during prolonged computer activities, during reading or driving, we don't blink often enough. Normally, the blinking frequency is 15-17 times per minute, and during such visual activities, the frequency drops to half or even a third, and thus the tears on the eye surface evaporate.
Also, air currents directed towards the face and eyes, whether from wind, air conditioning, fans, or hair dryers, can dry our tears and then symptoms of stinging appear, followed by reflex tearing, which however fails to hydrate the eyes sufficiently.
Some eye diseases such as blepharitis, entropion or ectropion, exophthalmos, chronic conjunctivitis, or prolonged administration of eye drops (such as in glaucoma) are accompanied by excessive tear evaporation.
How is Dry Eye Syndrome Diagnosed?
The diagnosis of dry eye syndrome is made in the office by the ophthalmologist, based on both clinical signs and symptoms, as well as through a series of quantitative tests (Schirmer test, tear film break-up time) and qualitative tests, using dyes that indicate the degree of ocular surface involvement.
How is Dry Eye Syndrome Treated?
Treatment for dry eye syndrome is differentiated according to the stage of the condition.
The best method to avoid the appearance or worsening of symptoms is to introduce "healthy" habits into our daily activity such as:
- voluntary blinking
- frequent breaks during prolonged computer activities
- avoiding air currents directed directly at the eyes
- maintaining a degree of humidity in the room where we work (using humidifiers)
When these methods are not sufficient, it is recommended to use artificial tears, preferably without preservatives. These mimic natural tears and serve to hydrate the ocular surface.
In more advanced stages, the ophthalmologist may advise us to use gels or creams, sometimes anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive or antibiotic medications, which serve to prevent the appearance of complications. In late stages, therapeutic contact lenses or plugs for lacrimal punctum occlusion may be used.
Although it is not a serious condition, dry eye syndrome can have a negative impact on daily life. If you recognize yourself in the symptoms described above, we are waiting for you at an ophthalmologic consultation at Clario clinic for the clearest vision possible!
VisionSPA® – Innovative Treatment for Dry Eye Syndrome
When artificial tears and lifestyle changes are no longer enough, VisionSPA® therapy offers a modern and effective solution for dry eye syndrome. This treatment combines two cutting-edge technologies – IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) and LLLT (Low-Level Light Therapy) – to treat both the causes and symptoms of the condition.
The treatment acts directly on the Meibomian glands, responsible for producing the lipid layer of tears. Light pulses heat and liquefy blocked secretions, improve blood circulation, and reduce chronic inflammation. The procedure is completely painless, takes just a few minutes, and requires no recovery time.
Patients notice significant improvements after the first sessions: less burning, reduced redness, and the disappearance of the "sand in eyes" sensation. Usually 3-5 sessions at 7-14 day intervals are recommended for optimal results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dry eye syndrome encompasses a series of ocular signs and symptoms that appear when tears are insufficient in quantity or their quality is reduced.
The most common symptoms at onset are the sensation of eye fatigue, stinging, burning, itching, "sand in the eyes", sometimes excessive tearing. Later, the eyes become redder, and vision disturbances appear.
Treatment includes voluntary blinking, frequent breaks during computer activities, avoiding air currents, preservative-free artificial tears. In advanced stages: gels, creams, anti-inflammatory medications, therapeutic contact lenses or lacrimal plugs.
The main causes are decreased tear production (advanced age, menopause, autoimmune diseases, diabetes) or excessive tear evaporation (computer activities, reading, air currents).
