Dry eye is a disease in which the eyes become dry due to a lack of tears. As more people spend long periods of time using computers and smartphones, the number of people suffering from dry eye has increased in recent years, and it is said that the number of people suffering from dry eye has reached 22 million. If left untreated, it can lead to other illnesses or damage to the eyes. This page explains the causes, symptoms, treatments, and prevention methods of dry eye.
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Causes, symptoms, treatment, surgery, costs, and phototherapy for dry eye
What is dry eye?
Dry eye is a condition in which the amount of tears decreases and they do not spread evenly over the surface of the eye. Normally, tears have the property of spreading evenly over the surface of the eye. However, when the quality of tears deteriorates due to aging, dry air, or excessive use of computer or smartphone screens, dry eyes occur.
Causes of dry eye
Common causes of dry eye include:
- Age-related decline in eye function
- Looking at computer or smartphone screens too much
- Dry air caused by air conditioners, etc.
Contact lenses and eye makeup can also cause dry eyes.
Dry Eye Symptoms
In addition to symptoms such as dry eyes and eye fatigue, dry eye may also cause the following symptoms:
- Blurred vision
- I feel dazzled
- My eyes are hurting
- There is a gritty foreign body sensation in the eye
- Bloodshot and red
- Tears come to my eyes
- Eye discharge
- Eye discomfort
- My eyes feel heavy
Dry eye treatment process
The process from diagnosis to treatment of dry eye is as follows:
Examination and interview
During the examination, we will ask you about the current condition of your eyes, any symptoms you are experiencing, your lifestyle, any other illnesses you may have, and any medications you are currently taking.
Eye drop prescription
If you are diagnosed with dry eye, your doctor will prescribe eye drops.
We will monitor the condition while using the eye drops. If the eye drops improve your dry eyes, you can either continue using the eye drops or stop treatment.
Surgery and laser treatment
If eye drops do not help, treatments such as laser or surgery will be used. After surgery, you will be monitored for a certain period of time.
About IPL treatment
IPL treatment is a treatment that improves dry eyes by irradiating light to the meibomian glands. The meibomian glands secrete the oil contained in tears. It is attracting attention worldwide as a new treatment method that does not require surgery.
Eye drops for treating dry eyes
Eye drops can be used to treat dry eyes. We recommend eye drops that contain vitamin A, which helps the cornea function, and potassium chloride and sodium chloride, the same components as tears.
How to prevent dry eyes
Dry eye can be prevented by reviewing your daily life. Specifically, there are the following preventive methods.
- Getting enough nutrients (especially vitamins B and E)
- Relax the muscles around the eyes
- Warm your eyes with a hot eye mask
- Do not use a computer or smartphone for long periods of time
Also, if you are concerned about dry eyes or tired eyes, using eye drops regularly may help.
Frequently asked questions about the causes, symptoms, treatment, surgery, costs, and phototherapy for dry eyes
Can dry eyes lead to vision loss?
If dry eyes continue, your eyesight may deteriorate. This is because the tears that normally accumulate evenly on the surface of the eye become insufficient when you have dry eyes, causing the eye to become uneven and light to be scattered. Also, when things look blurry, straining your eyes to see more clearly can cause eye strain, which can lead to a deterioration of your eyesight.
Can dry eyes cause headaches?
Dry eyes can cause headaches. When things that you could see before become harder to see, you try to see them more clearly, which can lead to eye strain, stiff shoulders, stiff neck, and stress. If this continues, it can cause headaches.
Can dry eyes be cured on your own?
Dry eyes can sometimes be improved with eye drops. Over-the-counter eye drops are fine as long as they contain vitamin A, which helps the cornea function, or the minerals potassium chloride and sodium chloride, which are found in tears.
