Dry eye syndrome is a disorder that affects many people, without their being aware of it. This eye problem generally occurs in women, especially in those over 45 years of age, although it can occur at any stage of life.
This disorder is related to hormonal changes, especially in women in the menopausal stage. Although there are other factors that can cause dry eye, such as a poor quality of tears produced by the body itself. Do you want to know more information about this problem? We tell you everything below.
What is dry eye syndrome?
It is commonly known as dry eye and in the vast majority of cases it is a problem that affects women. Hormonal changes throughout life are the main cause of this alteration in the tears, which become insufficient. Very important changes take place during pregnancy, although the biggest hormonal disorder and the one that usually causes dry eye syndrome is menopause.
Although at first it may seem like a minor condition, dry eye can cause significant discomfort, even leading you to go to the emergency services. Ignorance of the diagnosis is the main cause, since dry eye pain can cause confusion and concern when the cause is not known. Thus, knowing the symptoms can help you solve this problem before it gets too serious.
Dry eye symptoms
The main symptom of dry eye is indicated by its own name, irritating dry eyes. But in addition to this, other symptoms may appear such as the following:
- Itching: A tingling or itching sensation in the eyeball.
- Sensation of burning eyes.
- Difficulty keeping the eye open.
- Redness.
- A very characteristic feeling as if you had grit in your eye, like when sand enters the street from the wind.
- Blurred vision, difficulty reading, driving or seeing normally.
- Sensitivity in excessive light.
- Inflammation, pain and feeling of heaviness in the eyelids.
- Tearing: In the absence of tears, the body produces an excess of lacrimation as a defense mechanism against this disorder.
Causes
In addition to hormonal changes, dry eye syndrome can be caused by other causes such as a dysfunction of the Meibomian Glands. When this happens, the film covering the tear duct breaks and leaves it exposed to air, pollution and external agents. What causes the lacrimal to dry out and the tears are insufficient to keep the eye with the necessary moisture.
This disorder can occur for many and various reasons, these are some:
- Tabac consumptiono.
- Skin problems as rosacea.
- Various allergies.
- The consumption of certain drugs such as antidepressants, antihistamines and even contraceptives.
- Surgery to correct vision problems it can also alter and increase the sensitivity of the cornea.
- Wearing contact lenses excessively, sleeping with them on or not having the necessary care for their correct use, such as cleaning them in saline solution.
- Spending a lot of time in front of the computer screen or any other electronic device that emits heat.
- The use of heating and air conditioning indoors, as well as the wind or lack of humidity outdoors.
- Pollution it is also a cause and risk factor for dry eye syndrome.
Treatment for dry eye syndrome
In general cases, treatment should be assumed as something long-term and definitive. The most common is the use of artificial tears to keep moisture. It is a saline solution without preservatives that favors eye moisture. These drops help remove contamination, dust, and external agents that cause irritation and dry eye.
For the most serious cases, the specialist may recommend other treatments based on corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid and other remedies. Although in these cases, the treatment must be supervised at all times by the ophthalmologist since they are drugs that carry side effects. If you notice your eyes drier and you recognize any of the aforementioned symptoms, make an appointment with your ophthalmologist so that they can carry out a review and diagnosis.