Dry Eye Treatment

Dry Eye Treatments helps to moisturize your eye and makes them feel more comfortable and soothing. The treatments may vary depending upon the intensity of the dryness in the eyes. The different...

Dry Eye Treatments helps to moisturize your eye and makes them feel more comfortable and soothing. The treatments may vary depending upon the intensity of the dryness in the eyes. The different treatment options available are:

I. Schirmer’s test- A piece of filter paper is placed inside the eyelids. Then you are suggested to close your eyes for sometime. And then the paper is taken out to measure the quantity of tears produced in the eye. Similarly, Fluorescein eye drops are also used. You can trace the dye from these eye drops with the help of a special light as it is washed away in the form of tears from your eyes.

II. Artificial Tears- If the severe ness of the dry eye is less, than artificial tears can be used to get temporary relief. The body’s natural balance of water and oil is stimulated by artificial tears. The bottled tears may contain preservatives which may cause worsening and irritation in the eye. The goblet cells in the eye are corrupted because of these agents. As a result, there is failure in the production of tear mucus. So preservative-free tears are recommended.

III. Punctual plugs- If the dry eye problem is severe, then temporary dissolvable plugs have to be used. The “punctum” in one or either of the eyelids can be closed. A dissolvable collagen plug is inserted in the tear duct where a cotton bud dipped in anaesthesia is held for sometime. As a result the tears are drained in to the nose via a small opening, the punctum. A tiny plug is inserted into the opening of the eye to retain the tears on the surface of the eye, and thus prevent dryness and irritation of the eye.

IV. Conserving Tears- If the symptoms of the dry eye are much more persistent, then one of the options available is to close the duct openings of the tears. As a result the tears are conserved in the eye itself, as the drainage of the tears is restricted. Now the natural tears are caged in the eye itself and so there is no longer any need to supplement the eye with artificial tears or drops.

These plugs dissolve within a period of 7-10 days. If you find relief within this test period, then you can go for permanent closure of the tear duct. Here natural tears help to keep your eye moist.

V. Medication Induced- If the dry eye problem has been resulted due to the drugs you are taking, then it is always better to discontinue that drug. Because some drugs may have side-effects causing dry eye. But this is not always possible and the discontinuation of the medication therapy should be under the doctor’s assessment. Tear replacement of the lubricants may be useful, if the medicines are advised to discontinue.

VI. Environmental Causes- Dry eyes can also be caused due to certain environmental factors. Too much exposure to television or computer screen, dry climatic conditions, etc. can cause irritation in the eyes. So try avoiding these conditions. However, it is not always possible and you may require tear solutions.

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