The Dreariness Of Dry Eyes
A normal functioning eye is one in which the tears from tear glands via ducts supply moisture and lubrication to keep it well hydrated and clean. In some cases however this production is interrupted and the eye becomes very dry and irritated. The cause and treatment of this can be varied according to the individual but there is one thing that they all have in common in that it is extremely uncomfortable and can have long lasting effects if not treated properly.
Most people have had or will have the problem of dry eyes: the feeling that small particles are stuck to the surface of the eye and hence an increased desire to rub them. Other indicators include lack of moisture, itchiness, redness, sensitiveness to light, scarring and ulcers on the eye surface and disturbances to vision. In extreme cases of this sometimes-painful condition, one may also experience an abundance of water flowing down the cheeks as the nervous system overcompensates for the extreme dehydration.
Dry eyes can be the direct result of a malfunction of how the eye operates but can also be caused by or enhanced by external factors. The eye simply may not produce enough tears whether a result of inherited genes, autoimmune diseases or syndromes or for no known reasons. Sometimes enough tears are produced but their chemical properties mean that they do not sustain their structure long enough to perform their function or they are lost to the environment due to rapid evaporation. Other contributors to dry eyes include: aging, eye injuries, disorders and damage, changes in hormones, contact wearing, viruses, medication, surgery and diabetes.
Certain situations compound the effects felt by sufferers of dry eyes. Air-conditioned or fan cooled rooms in the home, office, shopping centers and airplanes create an environment that increases evaporation rates of tears. As does blow drying hair and places with abnormal levels of particulate matter in the air. People, who rely on glasses, work with or use computer screens, concentrate for extended periods, likewise notice significant increases in this problem.
While there is no method of preventing dry eyes, there are methods that one can use to help treat the symptoms when they occur. Avoiding the places that enhance the problem and rubbing aggravated eyes are the most obvious. The use of eye drops to compensate for the loss of moisture is the most common. There are many brands of these drops available on the market that can be purchased with or without a prescription. They differ with respect to chemical composition: some are simply just saline, others have growth factors and vitamins and others oils and emollients. Other associated problems of dry eyes can also be treated. Choosing the correct treatment for your circumstance is best done through a doctor, optometrist or pharmacist.
Other more dramatic treatments require physical intervention to close tear ducts via plugs, cauterisation or surgery.
While eye dryness is not uncommon, it can interfere with ones life vey dramatically. It is therefore very important to treat the symptoms immediately so one can carry about with everyday living.
About the Author:
AMO Blink Intensive Tears are Eye Drops which are specifically formulated to provide protection and comfort for dry eyes and irritated eyes.
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