Dry Eye Irritation: Severe Dry Eyes

Dry eye syndrome, which is also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, refers to the condition of dryness of the eye, resulting either from a decreased production of tears by the tear glands or increased evaporation of the tear film caused by the abnormalities in its composition. Due to increased evaporation, the amount of water in the tear film decreases, while the concentration of salt increases, which further dries the eyes by drawing out more water from the surface. This produces the characteristic sandy-gritty dry eye irritation, commonly associated with this eye disease.

The tear film consists of three layers, the outer oil layer, middle aqueous layer and the base mucus layer. The outer layer is produced by the oil glands and it provides a protective coating to the eye and slows down evaporation, i.e. it helps to retain tears. On the other hand, the middle aqueous layer keeps the eyes clean by removing dirt and debris and also perform the vital function of providing oxygen and nutrients to the eye. The third mucus layer is responsible for lubricating the eyes.

Causes of Dry Eye
There can be several reasons behind a reduced production of tears and increased evaporation. The secretion of tears can reduce due to the inability of the lachrymal glands to produce sufficient tears. This in turn can be caused by various factors like aging, genetics, lacrimal ablation, diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, Wegener's granulomatosis, systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjögren's syndrome, etc. Certain medications like diuretics, sedatives, antihistamines, beta blockers, contraceptives and antidepressants can aggravate the condition. Rapid evaporation, which is the another cause of dry eye irritation, can be caused by abnormal tear composition.

Factors like low humidity, contact lens and presence of eye irritants like smoke or dry wind, can also produce dry eyes, that usually causes moderate symptoms of eye dryness. This type of dry eye condition can be termed as mild dry eyes and is caused by the presence of the adverse contributing factors. However, if it remains untreated, it can cause chronic dry eyes, which can lead to eye inflammation, infection of the cornea and even scarring. Some other causes include injury to the eye, LASIK and refractive surgeries, which involve the removal of the corneal nerves that stimulate the secretion of tears. In addition to all these, blepharitis and rosacea are two conditions associated with the dry eye disease.

Symptoms of Dry Eye
Persistent dryness, burning, itchiness, a sandy-gritty eye irritation and excessive tearing are the common symptoms of this condition. However, the excess tears secreted in this condition are watery and so, cannot maintain the moisture in the eyes required for lubrication. Some other symptoms include pain and redness of the eyes.

Treatment of Dry Eye
Before prescribing any treatment option, physicians usually perform several diagnostic eye tests to confirm the disease. The various treatment options are aimed at stimulating tear production or tear retention. Some of these treatment options are the use of artificial tears, autologous serum eye drops and eye ointments. Punctal plugs can also be inserted into the puncta, the small opening in the eye that drains tears into the tear duct. Inserting punctal plugs blocks the drainage of the tears to the nose, so that the eyes are left with more tears. Cauterization is another treatment option which is usually performed if the insertion of punctal plugs proves beneficial in retaining tears in the eye. Here, the tear ducts are closed by destroying the tissues of the drainage area. Sometimes, surgery may also be required to treat this condition.

Dry eye syndrome can't be prevented. But appropriate treatment and avoiding irritants like smoke, dust and increasing the consumption of fish and omega-3 fatty acids coupled with proper eye care can help in preventing the aggravation of the symptoms.