Dry Eye Syndrome: What Causes It and How Can It Be Treated?

About 17% to 30% of all people experience dry eyes symptoms at some point in their life. While it is more common for those who are over the age of 60, younger people are also at risk of developing the condition. In fact, about 14% of people over the age 40 are already experiencing some symptoms of the disease.

Dry Eyes 101 - Understanding the Symptoms

How do you know if you are suffering from dry eye syndrome (DES)? Here are some of the most common symptoms associated with the condition:

• Persistent irritation and/or pain in the eyes
• Itching and redness
• Sensitivity to light
• Gritty sensation or a feeling that something foreign is stuck in your eyes
• Excess tear running down the cheeks
• Occasional excessive mucus secretion
• Blurred vision

What Causes It?

Aside from the hormonal changes associated with the normal aging process, DES can be caused by any of the following factors:

• Exposure to conditions that dry out the tear film
• Taking medications such as antihistamines and oral contraceptives
• Imbalance in the tear-flow system of the eyes
• Diseases that affect a person's ability to produce tears
• Structural defects in the eyelids

Who Is at Risk?

It is interesting to note that women are more at risk of developing DES as compared to their male counterparts. This may be due to the fact that the male hormone androgen is quite effective in maintaining the structure and function of the lacrimal and Meibomian glands. These glands are responsible for providing the aqueous layer of the tear film and the production of the oily substance that prevents the evaporation of the eyes' tear film, respectively.

Treatment Strategies for DES

There are a number of approaches that can be used to treat dry eyes. Depending on the underlying cause and severity of your symptoms, your doctor may advise any of the following options:

• Artificial tear drops and/or ointments. Using over the counter artificial tear drops usually serves as the primary treatment for DES. However, this may not work for everyone, especially for those who are experiencing moderate to severe symptoms of the disease.
• Punctal occlusion. In more advanced cases, your ophthalmologist may advise you to undergo temporary or permanent punctual occlusion or the closure of the ducts that drain tears from your eyes. These special inserts or plugs will improve the lubrication around your eyes and significantly reduce the symptoms.
• Restasis. If the plugs cannot alleviate your symptoms, your doctor may prescribe Restasis, the only FDA-approved eye drops available in the country today.

While dry eye syndrome doesn't normally lead to blindness, the symptoms associated with the disease can be very discomforting and may severely diminish your overall quality of life. So, consult your doctor at the very first sign of the disease. Don't wait until you cannot bear the pain any longer.

For more information on how you can put your dry eye syndrome under control, please visit 20/20 Image Eye Centers. They can help put your life in better focus!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Arl_Adoreno