Dry eye syndrome is one of the most common problems. Dry Eye is usually caused by a problem with the quality of the tear film that lubricates the eyes.
Treatment of dry eye syndrome is highly specific to each patient. Artificial tears are a very common treatment that has proven to be effective for many patients. Some of these artificial tear treatments are watery and alleviate the symptoms temporarily. Some thicker drop treatments prove to adhere to the eye longer. Preservative-free tears are recommended because they are the most soothing and have fewer additives that could potentially irritate. Avoid products that whiten the eyes – they don’t have adequate lubricating qualities and often make the problem worse.
Closing the opening of the tear drain in the eyelid with special inserts called punctal plugs (punctual occlusion) is another option.
The usual symptoms include:
- Stinging or burning eyes
- Scratchiness
- Stringy mucus in or around the eyes
- Eye irritation from smoke or wind
- Excess tearing
- Difficulty in wearing contact lenses
- Photophobia (light sensitivity)
- Excess tearing from dry eye sounds illogical, but if the tears responsible for maintenance lubrication do not keep the eye wet enough, the eye becomes irritated. The lacrimal gland produces a large volume of tears which overwhelms the tear drainage system. These excess tears then overflow from the eye.
Adding Tears
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Eye drops, called artificial tears, are available without prescription. Frequency  of use varies widely, from 2 to 3 times a day to several times per hour in severe cases. They come in many varieties:
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Preservative free ampules. These are useful in avoiding the harsh preservatives found in less expensive tear preparations. Examples are: Refresh, Theratears, Bion, Akwa tears, Tears Naturale Forte, Tears Naturale II, Hypo Tears, etc.
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Bottled tears containing mild, non-irritating preservatives. Examples are: Refresh Tears and Genteal.
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Thicker, more viscous preparations, which include: Genteal Gel, Celluvisc, Refresh Liquigel and ophthalmic ointments. As these frequently cause blurred vision for a time, they are often best-suited for nighttime use.
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·Eye drops containing decongestants to "get the red out" are a poor choice for prolonged use.
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Mild steroid eye drops, available by prescription only, are sometimes used to help symptoms.
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