2023-12-18 14:50:50
Oman- Many people show symptoms of dry eye, but they tolerate them and neglect to treat them, which may threaten their development and cause greater problems. What are the causes and symptoms of dry eye? What is its relationship to poor vision or blindness? What is the treatment? What is prevention?
Causes of dry eyes
Consultant Eye Diseases and Surgery, Dr. Amal Al-Sayed, confirms that dry eyes have causes that are either related to the surroundings and environment, or internal to the body itself, i.e. its genetic genes, the chronic diseases that affect it, or the medications that the person takes.
She explained in statements to Al Jazeera Net that a dry environment with low humidity causes dryness of the skin and the surface of the body, including the eyes, such as cold air conditioner air in the summer, especially the car air conditioner directed at the face area. However, in winter, heating of all kinds causes severe dryness of the eyes, in addition to the toxic gases that it emits. It causes irritation to the eyes and mucous tissues.
The airplane cabin is considered one of the driest places due to the lack of humidity and strong air pressure, so it is recommended to use moisturizing drops while traveling.
Among the reasons that may lead to dry eyes, according to Dr. Amal, is the habit of smoking, which disrupts the cells that cleanse dust and particles that stick to the eye from the air, so they are no longer able to perform their function, so these harmful substances accumulate and spoil the tear layer that moisturizes the eye, in addition to sitting in front of electronic screens at all times. types for a long time.
As for the causes specific to the body – as I mentioned – they may be systemic, general or local, such as some genetic diseases that may cause dry eyes, such as ichthyosis, in which the skin becomes scaly, like the skin of a fish. There are immunological causes, such as joint diseases and rheumatism, and hormonal causes, such as thyroid diseases. Which may cause severe dryness in the eyes.
She added that chronic diseases may also cause dry eyes, including diabetes, as well as some acute and emergency diseases such as respiratory infections, which cause inflammation and annoying dryness in the eye, which ends when the affected person recovers from the disease.
Amal Al-Sayed: Many medications that treat systemic diseases, such as high blood pressure medications, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, may cause dry eyes (Al Jazeera)
pharmaceutical
Dr. Al-Sayed points out that many medications that treat systemic diseases, such as high blood pressure medications, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, may cause dry eyes. Common medications that cause dry eyes are those used to treat acne, whether used in the mouth or as topical peels.
She added that malnutrition, anemia, and a diet not prescribed by a nutritionist may cause dry eyes. The diet may be poor in vitamin A, which is very necessary for eye health in general, and to prevent eye dryness in particular.
Dry eye symptoms
Dr. Al-Sayed explains that among the symptoms of dry eyes are the feeling of the presence of a foreign body in the eye, the desire to scratch the eye, stickiness of the eyelids in the morning, and difficulty in opening them easily with clear secretions from the eye. Severe dryness may lead to pain, whether opening the eye, or movement of the eyelid, and difficulty opening the eye. During the day, he is sensitive to light.
She added that dry eyes may lead to chronic irritation, which in turn leads to increased tears in an attempt by the body to moisturize the eye. Symptoms include chronic eye redness and congestion, as dehydration leads to irritation and congestion of the eye’s surface tissue.
Diagnosis of dry eye
Dr. Al-Sayed stresses the need to go to an ophthalmologist when feeling symptoms of dry eyes, so that he can diagnose the condition by examining the patient with a magnifying eye examination device, and he may conduct a test to measure the amount of tears in the eye.
The doctor also evaluates the sebaceous glands, which secrete an oily substance that forms the last layer of tears that prevents tear evaporation, and sees if the patient has inflammation or scarring in them.
Dry eye treatment
Dr. Al-Sayed said that using drops according to the doctor’s prescription is a useful treatment for dry eyes, provided that you adhere to his instructions, in addition to drinking water, which moisturizes the body in general as well as the eyes.
In some advanced cases in which moisturizing drops do not work, surgery may be resorted to by suturing both ends of the eyelid to prevent the surface of the eye from being exposed to air, leaving a small opening through which the patient can look, then reopening the eyelids after improvement, or keeping them closed if the condition does not work. Improvement occurs, in order to prevent vision loss, especially in cases of seventh nerve paralysis, which may lead to severe dehydration, due to the patient’s inability to close his eyelids, especially during sleep.
She said that there are advanced surgeries for complex cases, such as transferring part of the salivary duct from the mouth, and trying to implant it in the eyelid pocket, so that it works instead of the tear gland, etc., for rare cases, and cases that are still under research.
Does dry eye cause blindness or poor vision?
Ophthalmology specialist Dr. Yazan Nairat confirms that the tear layer that covers the eye constitutes one of the basic components that control the refraction of light and its projection onto the retina. Therefore, it is possible for a dehydrated patient to suffer from weak vision and fluctuating visual acuity during the day, especially after reading for periods of time. Long, but in most of these cases the visual impairment is temporary, and improves with eye hydration.
He explained in statements to Al Jazeera Net that the tear layer has an important role in protecting and moisturizing the cornea of the eye, and nourishing it with the basic nutrients necessary for the health and safety of the cornea. The tear layer also contains some immune cells necessary to protect the eye from infections, so a severe deficiency in this layer leaves the eye vulnerable. Wounds, ulcers, and various bacterial or viral infections, which can leave scars on the cornea and lead to severe weakness or complete loss of vision.
According to Dr. Nairat, dry eyes after vision correction operations are one of the most important complications facing the patient, especially during the first 3 to 6 months of the operation. Improvement begins gradually after this period, while a small percentage of patients suffer from complications of dryness for additional years.
He noted that one of the most important factors that lead to dry eyes after the operation is the presence of dryness before it was performed, in addition to the type of operation used.
Nairat considered it important to treat dry eyes before performing vision correction surgery, not to mention adhering to lubricating drops during the first months after the operation.
Dr. Yazan Nairat: Contact lenses affect the integrity of some mucous glands in the conjunctiva of the eye (Al Jazeera)
Contact lenses and dry eyes
Dr. Nairat believes that contact lenses affect the integrity of some of the mucous glands present in the conjunctiva of the eye, which leads to a weakness in the secretions of these glands that maintain the adhesion of the tear layer to the surface of the cornea. They also affect the stability of the tear layer and accelerate its evaporation.
He added that it is associated with many allergic infections in the eyelid, and affects the work of the sebaceous glands in the eyelid, so it is recommended not to wear contact lenses for long periods, while taking care to use moisturizing drops well.
Dry eyes in children
Dr. Nairat explains that it is known that dry eyes occur more with age, but in recent years we have begun to notice a significant increase in the number of children suffering from this condition, due to their use of electronic devices for long periods.
He pointed out that the most important symptoms in children are itchy and red eyes, and blurred vision, especially when reading for long periods, which may affect academic achievement. In addition, the child’s inability to express the symptoms he feels leads to a delay in diagnosing the problem.
Can eye drops be used without consulting a doctor?
Dr. Nairat believes that treating dry eyes goes through several stages, the most important of which is treating the cause that leads to dry eyes. During this stage, you can start using moisturizing drops to relieve the symptoms.
He pointed out that in cases of mild dehydration, the patient can start using moisturizing drops available in pharmacies, provided that they do not contain preservatives that may lead to eye infections. If the patient notices a lack of response, he must consult a doctor at that time.
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