Tears are necessary for maintaining the health of the front surface of the eye and for providing clear vision. Dry eye is a common and chronic condition that disrupts the balance at the tear film level.
Our tears are composed of 3 layers: a lipid (oily) layer, a watery layer, and a mucin layer.
Scarce composition of any (or all) of these layers can result in dry eye disease (DED).
Traditionally, DED is due to either inadequate tear production or excessive tear evaporation. However, when the surface of the eye is exposed to environmental stress or is damaged, it activates an inflammatory response that can also result in the common symptoms of DED.
What are the treatment options?
*Artificial tears
*Prescription anti-inflammatory eye drops (Restasis or Xiidra)
*Plugging the tear ducts to keep natural tears in the eyes longer
*Incorporating more omega 3 into your diet
*Increasing the humidity in your environment
In my next post, I'll discuss the anti-inflammatory eye drops Restasis and Xiidra (branded as "eyelove" in advertisements). Both are now available in Canada and with the latter being endorsed by a well-known celebrity, more patients are inquiring about this option.