DEALING WITH

DRY EYES

Family owned and operated. Serving Indiana since 1940.

21 convenient Indiana locations. Schedule online or

find the location nearest you at drtavel.com
1-844-GO-TAVEL

To maintain vision and comfort, the eye depends on a flow of tears
to provide constant moisture and lubrication. Tears are a
combination of water, for moisture; oils, for lubrication; mucus, for
even spreading; and antibodies and special proteins, for resistance
to infection. These components are secreted by special glands
located around the eye. When there is an imbalance in this tear
system, a person may experience dry eyes.
When tears do not adequately lubricate the eye, a person
may experience:
• Pain
• Light sensitivity
• A gritty sensation
• A feeling of sand in the eye
• Itching
• Redness
• Blurring of vision
Sometimes a person with dry eyes will have excess tears running
down their cheeks, which may seem confusing. This happens when
the eye isn’t getting enough lubrication. The eye sends a distress
signal through the nervous system for more lubrication. In response,
the eye is flooded with tears to try to compensate for the underlying
dryness. However, these tears are mostly water and do not have the
lubricating qualities or the rich composition of normal tears.
They will wash debris away, but they will not coat the eye surface
properly.
What Causes Dry Eyes?
In addition to an imbalance in the tear-flow system, dry eyes can be
caused by situations that dry out the tear film. This can be due to dry
air from air conditioning, heat or other environmental conditions.
Other conditions that may cause dry eyes are:
• The natural aging process, especially menopause.
• Side effects of certain drugs such as antihistamines and birth
control pills.
• Diseases that affect the ability to make tears, such as Sjogren’s
syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis and collagen vascular diseases.
• Structural problems with the eye lids that don’t allow them to
close properly.
How Are Dry Eyes Treated?
Treatment depends on the cause of dry eyes. For example, when the
cause is a systemic condition such as rheumatoid arthritis, proper
treatment of the condition will lead to more comfortable eyes and
clearer vision. Ocular treatment options include:
• Artificial tear drops and ointments: Artificial teardrops are
available over the counter and are the primary treatment for dry
eyes. If you have chronic dry eye, it is important to use the drops
even when your eyes feel fine to keep them lubricated. If your
eyes dry out while you sleep, you can use a thicker lubricant,
such as an ointment, at night.
• Temporary Punctal Plugs: Sometimes it is necessary to close
the ducts that drain tears out of the eye. This may be done
temporarily with a plug that can be removed or will dissolve over
a few days. The plug is inserted into the tear drain of the lower
eyelid to determine whether permanent plugs can provide an
adequate supply of tears and the correct size for permanent
plugs.
• Permanent Punctal Plugs: If temporary plugging of the tear
drain works well, then longer-lasting plugs may be used. This will
hold tears around the eyes to improve lubrication. The plugs can
be removed.
• Restasis: The FDA approved the prescription eye drop Restasis
for the treatment of chronic dry eye. It is currently the only
prescription eye drop that helps your eyes increase their own
tear production with continued use.
• Surgery: If needed, the ducts that drain tears into the nose can be
permanently closed to allow more tears to remain around the eye.