Dry eye syndrome, medically known as the ‘keratoconjunctivitis sicca’ can affect anyone. It usually happens when a person’s eye suffers from a lack of tears. Tears are important for the proper functioning of the eye because the eye will be affected if the cornea and the conjunctiva are abnormally dry.
Water is the major component found in tears, followed by proteins, fatty oils and electrolytes. When a person’s eye becomes practically incapable of producing any tears on its own, he has no option but to get it treated.
It is better not to wait if the eyes don’t lubricate normally. The patient will begin to suffer from itchy sensations in the eye, redness and blurring of vision. These are usually accompanied by intense pain, grittiness and sensitivity to light. If the person doesn’t get it treated, the problem will aggravate, damaging the surface of the eye on a permanent basis.
Since dry eye is an ongoing condition, it will have to be treated continuously for a certain period of time. Some patients will have to insert a cellulose ophthalmic insert called Lacrisert, right under the lower eyelid. It helps remove itchiness, stinging and sensitivity, foreign body sensation and burning. When used twice a day, the insert provides relief the entire day. There are prescription eye drops that some patients can use to reduce the inflammation in the cornea and to reduce the redness. These drops are ideal when a person has to go out in the sun because they help remove that burning and stinging sensation. A contact lenses wearer will have to remove the lenses before applying the eye drops. However, it depends on how mild or serious the dryness is.
A number of reasons contribute to dry eye and the best thing to do while undergoing treatment is to avoid those aspects. Many things can aggravate your eyes: constant use of contact lenses; staring at the computer for a long time without blinking at all; certain types of medications; allergies; exposure to dust; and wind.
LASIK surgery is also one major reason for dry eye. It can happen when the surgeon inadvertently cuts the nerves of the cornea (responsible for producing tears) during the surgery. If a person already suffers from the dry eye syndrome, then doctors don’t usually perform LASIK surgery on him. If surgery is mandatory, then he will have to get treated for dry eye first.
Afterwards, Lasik surgery in Phoenix, or in other local areas, can then be given to the patient. Lasik is considered to be one of the most preferred solutions to common vision problems. Top eye doctors from Phoenix Lasik centers, for instance, are committed to total eye care which includes a complete range of services to match individual patient needs.
