Definition :– dryness of the conjunctiva and cornea in the eyes
Symptoms:
- Irritation
- Burning
- Itching
- Pulling sensation
- Pressure behind eye
- Feeling like something is in the eye
- Sensitivity to bright light
- Blurred vision
Severe Cases:
- Surface of cornea can thicken
- Ulcers can develop
- Scars can develop, which can impair vision
- Blood vessels can grow across cornea, impairing vision
- Reduced blinking worsens symptoms
- Dusty, smoky, dry environments, low humidity, air conditioning, fans, heaters worsen symptoms
- Certain drugs (isotretionoin, tranquilizers, diuretics, anti-hypertensives, oral contraceptives, antihistamines) worsen symptoms
Physical Causes:
- Inadequate tear production (common in post-menopausal women; may be a symptom of diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren’s syndrome)
- Abnormal tear composition
Treatment:
Lifestyle Recommendations
- Rule out any serious underlying condition/s
- Have regular eye checks
- Artificial tear (drops) applied every few hours (preservative-free); use Similasan homeopathic eye drops;
- avoid products that claim to ‘get the red out’ – some contain vasoconstrictors that further dry eyes, especially if used for an extended period
- Avoid dry, drafty environments, and use humidifiers; limit use of hair dryers, and shield eyes from direct heat blasts from these and other sources
- Surgery if necessary
- Drink at least 10 glasses of good quality water daily
- If tear ducts are swollen, increase calcium in diet and avoid processed foods
- Wear wraparound glasses on windy days
- Avoid smoke
Supplement Recommendations
- Primrose oil (1 000 mg 2-3x daily) – source of essential fatty acids
- Vitamin A ointment (as per label) or Vitamin A (25 000 IU daily; < 10 000 IU daily if pregnant) – benefit dry, scratchy eyes; tears contain vitamin A, plus carotenoid complex with lutein and zeaxanthin (as per label) – needed for all eye disorders
What is the body’s message?
The eye is the seat of the soul and the emotional zone of the face. Dry eyes may reflect unshed tears, or perhaps too many tears shed, leaving you dry of emotional expression. Mindset will have a large influence on this, since we are in the headspace. Sine we see the world through our eyes, what is it that we have/are seeing that is causing us emotional/mental upset? There are many possibilities in line with this, and your personal experiences related to the context must be considered.