Dry Eyes

Drying of the ocular surface is a major cause of eye irritation in adults, and many people suffer from this chronic condition. Symptoms include eye fatigue, blurry vision, irritation, and a sensation of having dust or an eyelash in your eye. Some people also have difficulty opening their eyes in the morning because of mucous build-up. The exact cause of dry eye is not very well understood, but it is often related to age as well as medical conditions such as menopause, pregnancy, rheumatoid arthritis, Bell’s palsy, and vitamin A deficiency. Whatever the cause, the treatment goal is to keep the eye lubricated. Over-the-counter “artificial tears,” of which there are more than 30 different brands, are the mainstay of treatment for many dry eye patients. Punctal plugs or permanent closure of tear drainage ducts can often be helpful to retain tears on the surface of the eye. Restasis® (topical cyclosporin) may be recommended in some patients with chronic dry eye syndrome. Humidification of the living and working environment as well as avoidance of wind, dust, smoke, and other irritants is also recommended. Surgery may be necessary for severe cases.

Wet Eyes

Tears are produced by tear glands under the eyelids and are eliminated by evaporation and drainage. Excess tearing, or epiphora, is a symptom of either faulty tear drainage or, more rarely, excess tear production. The most common cause is blockage of the lacrimal (tear) ducts located alongside the nose, which may result from membrane inflammation, injury, tumors, or other reasons. Excess tearing alone is not harmful, but blockage of the lacrimal drainage duct can cause infection, which could threaten vision if untreated. There are surgical solutions to tear duct obstructions, the most common being construction of a bypass drainage channel (dacryocystorhinostomy or DCR). Another option is an artificial tear duct implant (Jones tube).