In the modern world, human eyes are constantly tense. People spend a huge amount of their time on the screens of computers, phones and other gadgets. Bad ecology also negatively affects eye health. Due to the combination of these factors, the body loses its ability to secrete a sufficient amount of tear fluid. This leads to the fact that the eyes receive insufficient moisture, dryness, itching and burning appear. Do not ignore these symptoms. We will tell in this article about the causes of this disease, its symptoms and methods of treating dry eyes.
Reasons for the appearance
As a rule, dry eye syndrome occurs when a person constantly spends time at a computer or smartphone. Especially often it is diagnosed in office workers who spend 7-8 hours a day behind the monitor screens. Why do computers negatively affect eye health? When working behind them, a person is so keen on text that he begins to blink more slowly. This creates additional tension for the eyes. They stop getting enough moisture, get tired faster. If this is repeated every day, then with a high probability a person will soon be diagnosed with eye disease.
Dry eye syndrome can be caused by other causes. Doctors believe that lack of moisture appears due to poor ecology. The eyes are affected by dry air. As a rule, the risk zone includes people who spend a lot of time near heaters or air conditioners, as well as residents of industrial areas.
Syndrome may occur if you wear contact lenses all the time. Many of them are not able to pass air, so they dry the cornea. Lenses can also negatively affect the quality of the lacrimal fluid, which will also lead to the development of the syndrome.
There are several more less common causes of the onset of the disease:
- hormonal disorders;
- laser vision correction;
- continuous use of certain drugs, for example, antidepressants or oral contraceptives in women;
- diabetes;
- some eye diseases, including conjunctivitis and blepharitis.
Main symptoms
Healthy eyes are constantly covered with a protective film of tear fluid. She timely moisturizes them and removes small debris from the surface. If, due to the reasons described above, the film becomes thinner or disappears, a person begins to feel discomfort. As a rule, the symptoms of dry eyes are blurry, so the patient is in no hurry to consult a doctor. But in vain, because the lack of treatment can lead to poor health.
In the early stages of the development of the syndrome, the patient may complain that his eyes are constantly dry. He will feel a lot of tension. Often people say that they have in one of their eyes some kind of foreign object. Abundant tearing occurs, especially when in contact with wind or bright light. If treatment is not started in time, the symptoms of dry eyes will intensify. A person will feel a burning sensation, itching. He has photophobia. People with advanced syndrome become irritable and aggressive. In the morning their eyes stick together, and in the evening they turn red and begin to hurt. As a rule, discomfort intensifies when a person spends time at a computer or TV. Often there is a slight blurred or blurred vision, which disappears after several blinks.
How to diagnose a disease?
Many people are in no hurry to seek help from a doctor when the first symptoms appear. But in order to recover faster, it is important to recognize this eye disease in time. Dry eye syndrome can only be diagnosed by a qualified doctor. The ophthalmologist first interviews the patient, clarifies the presence of symptoms and examines the cornea. In some cases, this is enough to diagnose and begin treatment.
In order not to confuse dry eye syndrome with other diseases that have similar symptoms, an additional diagnosis is performed. The ophthalmologist conducts targeted biomicroscopy, where he carefully examines the cornea and the anterior segment of the eyeball. He also draws attention to tear production. In some cases, it and other allocations have to be taken for additional research. With an advanced illness, the doctor should determine if any complications have appeared and select drugs for their treatment.
How to be treated?
As a rule, dry eye syndrome with timely diagnosis can be quickly cured with moisturizing drops. They restore the normal amount and concentration of tear fluid, which quickly eases the patient's condition. Symptoms quickly pass through a few instillations, but the course of treatment must be completed. Depending on the severity of the disease, different types of drops are prescribed. They differ in their viscosity. Some drugs come in the form of gels that become liquid only after a few blinks.
Almost always, therapy is carried out on an outpatient basis. Hospitalization is necessary only in severe cases, when the patient needs urgent surgical intervention.
Together with moisturizing drops, the doctor may prescribe other drugs. As a rule, the therapy in this case will depend on the cause of the syndrome. If it was diabetes mellitus or hormonal disorders, then you will have to drink medications for them at the same time. Your doctor may also advise you to buy a home humidifier or special glasses for working at a computer. Proper nutrition and gymnastics help to recover.
Traditional medicine can also help cure dry eyes. What to do to eliminate the syndrome? Do not rush to start treatment without consulting a doctor. Yes, there are many traditional medicine that can help with dry eyes. But they should be taken only with the approval of the ophthalmologist as an additional therapy. Otherwise, you can only aggravate your situation.
Moisturizing eye drops when dry
The most effective treatment option for the syndrome is the use of special medications. They quickly relieve dryness and irritation, eliminate itching and redness. In their composition, they replace the tear fluid, which is not secreted in the syndrome. To completely recover from the disease, you need not only to use drops, but also to change your lifestyle. For example, reduce the time spent working at the computer, eat right or spend more time outdoors.
There are 3 types of eye drops: low, medium and high viscosity. As a rule, the first type is used for a mild course of the syndrome. They are also used with constant contact lenses, as they dry the eyes very much. Medium and high viscosity is suitable for people with advanced syndrome. The latter type is usually available in the form of gels. It is applied to the eyes, and then after several blinks it turns into a light and enveloping liquid. Their advantage is a long therapeutic effect. If drops of low viscosity need to be dripped into the eyes almost every hour, then the gel can be applied 1-2 times a day.
Do not delay the treatment, thinking that you will have to spend a lot of money on it. In pharmacies, inexpensive drops from dry eyes are often sold. Their cost can vary from 100 to 400 rubles. As a rule, gels are significantly more expensive than low viscosity preparations.
We will tell you more about the most effective and popular moisturizers for treating the syndrome.
"Artificial Tear"
This is one of the most affordable and effective remedies that helps to eliminate dryness, irritation and itching of the eyes. The main active ingredient of the drops is hypromellose. It protects the cornea of the eye from external influences, softens it and moisturizes. The instruction for drops of “Artificial Tear” indicates that they have a high viscosity, so they need to be instilled only 1-2 times a day. The drug has no pronounced odor and does not irritate the cornea. It is completely colorless. In the reviews, patients indicate that drops quickly help get rid of unpleasant symptoms. However, they have no contraindications and do not cause side effects. They can be used for pregnant women. The only negative is blurred vision in the first 15 minutes after use. At this time, it is not recommended to drive a car. Attracts patients the cost of drops. In the pharmacy they can be purchased for 100-150 rubles.
Kornegel
With advanced syndrome, it is recommended to use high viscosity gels. Their main advantage is the duration of action. Doctors and patients call the Korneregel an effective drug. It is a colorless gel for the eyes that does not have a pronounced odor. It is recommended to use it not only for the syndrome, but also for injuries and infectious lesions of the cornea. The active substance of the drug is dexpanthenol. The gel is laid under the lower eyelid, and then often blink several times so that it completely covers the cornea. With prolonged use, patients note the appearance of side effects. The eye may scratch or turn red. In rare cases, edema and profuse tearing are diagnosed. The only contraindication is the presence of individual intolerance to dexpanthenol.
Reviews of "Korneregel" with dry eye syndrome are most often positive. The drug is praised by both ophthalmologists and patients. They like that after the first use it is able to alleviate the condition of the patient. Eyes become moisturized, itching and burning pass quickly. But patients are repelled by the high cost of the drug. In pharmacies, you can buy it for 350-450 rubles.
Taufon
Another effective remedy for dry eyes. Its active ingredient is taurine. Instructions for the use of eye drops "Taufon" indicates that the drug is a colorless, clear, odorless liquid. It must be instilled at least 2-4 times a day. Drops are usually used within a month or until a lasting positive effect is achieved. The exact date should be prescribed by the attending physician. The instructions for the use of Taufon eye drops indicate that the drug has no contraindications. Only if there is an individual intolerance to taurine, the patient may experience an allergic reaction in the form of itching, burning or swelling. Patients like the low cost of the drug. It can be bought for 130-160 rubles.
"Hilo-chest of drawers"
These drops are considered extremely effective, but expensive medicine for dry eyes. Their cost varies from 400 to 750 rubles per bottle. These are completely sterile drops consisting of a solution of sodium hyaluronate. They form a tear film on the surface of the eye, which lasts for several hours. It does not wash off when blinking, which provides long-lasting hydration. Patients in the reviews indicate that the drops quickly relieve discomfort and burning. Some doctors recommend using the Hilo-Dresser for long-term wear of hard contact lenses. Do not contain preservatives. They need to be buried 3 times a day. Moreover, they can be used for a long time, which is positively evaluated by people with contact lenses. The drug has no side effects and contraindications.
Systeyn Ultra
If you are looking for extremely effective drops from dry eyes, then pay attention to the Systeyn Ultra. This is one of the most powerful means of saving from burning and inflammation. After instillation, the drops moisturize the cornea for several hours. It does not cause blurred vision. The drug can be applied over contact lenses. The instruction indicates that drops should be used as necessary when the first signs of discomfort appear. Before instillation, be sure to shake the vial. The cost of drops starts from 300 rubles. In this case, the packaging after opening can be used for six months. Contraindication to use is only individual intolerance to the components that make up the drops.
Treatment with folk remedies
With the help of traditional medicine, you can make you feel better. But all your actions should be coordinated with your doctor. The rash application of prescriptions can only aggravate the course of the disease.
It is safest to use lotions made from a decoction of useful plants for treatment. To prepare it, you need to take in equal proportions chamomile, dry eye and marshmallow root. They must be thoroughly mixed until a homogeneous mixture is formed. To prepare the broth, you need 4 tablespoons. All this is poured with boiling water (about 500 ml). Then the broth should be allowed to cool. After that, cotton pads are dipped into it and applied to the inflamed organs of vision.
When treating dry eyes, compresses are also used. They help not only relieve inflammation, but also accelerate blood circulation and normalize the secretion of lacrimal fluid. For example, you can make a compress of horseradish and onion. They need to be thoroughly chopped and mixed, and then put in gauze or any tissue. Compress is applied to the eyelids for only 2 minutes.
Healing oils help relieve inflammation, dryness and itching. Before using them, it is recommended to warm them up a bit so as not to feel discomfort. With dry eye syndrome, the following oils are used:
- sea buckthorn;
- mustard;
- camphorous.
Doctors also recommend drinking 1-2 tablespoons of any vegetable oil every day to prevent the syndrome.
Homemade drops
Treating dry eye syndrome at home is effective with natural drops. Like other traditional medicine, they should be used only after consultation with an ophthalmologist. You can cook them yourself at home. To do this, you need a little honey and boiling water. To enhance the effect of the drops, you can add aloe juice to them. For cooking, you need about 10 ml of honey. Melt it in 25 ml of boiling water. Then they are thoroughly mixed and left to cool. Drops are applied warm. They need to be instilled in both eyes once a day. They will help relieve inflammation and normalize hydration. Drops have practically no contraindications. Using them is not recommended only to those people who suffer from hypersensitivity to honey.
Also, eyes can be instilled with glycerin. It needs to be slightly warmed up before use. To achieve a positive effect, glycerin is instilled into the eyes every day for two weeks.
Gymnastics with the syndrome
For effective treatment of dry eyes, the use of drops can be combined with gymnastics. It improves blood circulation and normalizes the production of tear fluid, which helps to accelerate healing. It is recommended to spend it for patients who spend a lot of time at the computer. Every 2 hours you need to get up from the monitor and do some exercises.
Close your eyes and in this position, turn them clockwise and against it. Then turn the pupils up and down, and then look left and right. Without opening your eyes, press your fingers or palms to them to warm them and speed up blood circulation. Without pressing on the eyelids, gently massage them. After that, you should go to the window and look at the object farthest from you, and then quickly look at your own finger. Repeat this exercise several times. It helps not only with dry eye syndrome, but also with myopia.
If you feel eye fatigue while working at a computer, try blinking frequently for 30 seconds. This will help relieve stress.
The consequences of improper therapy
It has already been indicated above that dry eye treatment should be carried out under the supervision of an ophthalmologist. Otherwise, you can aggravate the course of the disease, which will entail the appearance of complications. In the absence of therapy or improper treatment, dry eye syndrome can develop into more severe pathologies, including blepharitis, conjunctivitis and keratitis, including ulcerative. All of them impair vision and require more complex treatment.
Syndrome Prevention
If you are at risk and are afraid that the syndrome may appear in you, then you can do dry eye prevention. To prevent the syndrome with constant contact lens wear, use moisturizing drops of low viscosity. If you constantly work at a computer, then get special glasses, as well as do gymnastics. Do not forget to blink more often to avoid eye strain. , , . . . , . , .