DRY EYE SYMPTOMS

-scratchy, sandy, gritty sensation
-foreign body sensation
-stinging or burning
-excessing watering or tearing
-redness -general discomfort or irritation

WHO CAN GET DRY EYE?

Dry eye affects millions of adults in the United States.  The risk of developing this condition increases with advancing age as the body's biochemistry changes.  Women are more likely to be affected than men.  Children are much less likely to be affected or bothered by symptoms.  However, prolonged computer use and excessive reading can cause symptoms to be more severe and this category certainly includes our kids.  Certain systemic conditions can cause dry eye such as Sjogrens syndrome, diabetes, even poor nutrition.

TREATMENT

Much research has gone into studying and understanding this condition and developing effective treatments.  Over-the-counter and prescription strength artificial tears, gels, and ointments may be enough to relieve symptoms.  Sometimes working in conjunction with the prescribing doctor to adjust certain medications can do the trick. Lifestyle changes such as smoking cessation or taking periodic breaks from screen time, or changes in diet and fluid intake could be helpful.  In addition, surgical options and devices that stimulate the glands and nerves associated with tear production have been shown to help in the most severe cases.

Tips For Administering Eye Drops

• Always wash hands before touching your drop bottle or your eyelids
• Gently rotate the dropper bottle around for 30 seconds, unless the directions call for more vigorous shaking
• Tilting head back so that your nose points directly at the ceiling makes for easier instillation.
• Pull the lower lid downward and away from the eye and let the drop fall in the pocket of the lid, taking care to not touch the tip of the dropper bottle to the eye, eyelid, lashes, or fingertip
• If more than one drop has been prescribed, wait 3 to 4 minutes between drops
• Replace the bottle cap immediately to avoid contamination of medication
• After instilling drops, you may use a technique called punctal occlusion. Close the eyelids and apply gentle pressure at the area where the inner eyelid meets the nose. This keeps the medication on the ocular surface longer and allows for maximum absorption. In addition, it prevents the medication from being quickly drained away and entering the bloodstream.
• Avoid rubbing eyes after instillation.