Effective Strategies for Managing Dry Eye Syndrome

Are your eyes constantly feeling dry, scratchy, or irritated, especially during reading or conversations? These symptoms often indicate dry eye syndrome, a condition that can be managed with proper treatment. Tears are essential for eye moisture, consisting of water, oils, antibodies, and mucus. When tears fail to adequately lubricate the eyes, symptoms like redness, blurred vision, and light sensitivity emerge. Sometimes, the eyes respond by overproducing tears—a reflex response to irritation. Understanding causes and treatment options is key to relief.

The primary causes of dry eyes include age-related changes, medications like antihistamines, autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or Sjogren’s syndrome, and issues affecting eyelid function. Treatments vary based on severity, including eye drops, ointments, and procedures. Artificial tears are common, with thicker ointments used overnight. Punctal plugs block tear drainage to retain moisture, with options from temporary dissolvable to permanent cauterization. Lipiflow uses heat and pressure to unblock oil glands, improving tear quality. Rarely, testosterone therapy can help if gland function is impacted. Proper nutrition enhances treatment effectiveness.