Dry Eyes

What Are Dry Eyes

Some people do not produce enough tears to keep the eye wet and comfortable.
Stinging, burning, scratchiness, stringy mucus, and excess irritation from smoke
are the usual symptoms. Dry eyes can also make it difficult or impossible to
wear contact lenses and may be aggravated in windy situations or where air
conditioning or hot air heat is being used.

Surprisingly, increased tearing is a symptom of dry eyes. If the basic tear
secretion is below normal, excess tears are produced by the lacrimal gland in
response to irritation. Even though the eye is basically dry, overflow tearing
can occur masking the dryness which caused the tears in the first place.

What Are The Different Kinds Of Tears

There are two kinds of tears: those which lubricate the eye and those which are
produced as a response to irritation or emotion.

Tears which lubricate the eye are produced around the clock. Excessive tears
occur when the eye is irritated by a foreign body, dryness or when a person
cries.

What Causes Dry Eyes

Tear production normally decreases with age. Although dry eyes can occur in both
men and women at any age, women, especially after menopause, are most often
afflicted.

Dry eyes can also be associated with arthritis and accompanied by a dry mouth.
People with dry eyes, dry mouth and arthritis are said to have Sjogren’s
Syndrome.

Drugs and medications can also cause dry eyes by reducing tear secretions. Since
these medications are often necessary, the dry eye condition may have to be
tolerated or treated with Artificial Tears. If you are not sure about the
particular medication you are taking, check with your pharmacist.

Loose lower eyelids can also expose the lower part of the cornea creating
exposure and dryness with Dry Eye symptoms. This condition can be easily
corrected surgically.

Treatment Of Dry Eye Problems

Depending on the cause of the dry eyes, as explained above, different treatments
are available. These treatments include: surgical correction (ectropion repair)
of a loose lower lid, replacing natural tears with Artificial Tears, conserving
the naturally produced tears by temporary or permanent closure of the punctum,
or manipulation of the humidity in the individual’s living environment by using
a humidifier. Avoiding windy conditions by wearing wrap around glasses and
avoiding smoke whenever possible also aid in the treatment of dry eye problems.

Excessive Tearing

What Is Excessive Tearing

Tears are produced either by the tear gland or the moisture producing glands of
the eyelid itself. The tear covers the eye, then is gently pushed by the lids to
the inner corners of the eyelids. The blinking function of the eyelid creates a
pump effect and pushes the tears through the tear drainage system inside the
nose. Failure of this drainage system, at any level, would create excessive
tearing over the face.

What Causes Excessive Tearing

The most common cause of excessive tearing is a dry eye problem (SEE ABOVE), or
a loose lower eyelid which weakens the tear pump effect. Other less common
causes of excessive tearing are chronic or acute obstruction of the tear
drainage passage. These obstructions are usually caused by infection which
results in Dacryocystitis or Dacryostenosis.

Treatment Of Excessive Tearing Problems

Depending on the cause of the excessive tearing, as explained above, different
treatments are available. A dry eye problem can be treated as explained in the
dry eye section above. A loose lower lid with a weak pump function is corrected
by tightening the lower lid tendon and strengthening the pump effect. Infection
of the tear drainage system is treated first with antibiotics and eventually
corrected surgically by a Dacryocystorhinostomy.