for more details : see slide section
Published work :"Closed chamber thermometry and humidity measurements in normal and dry eye patients: a pilot study" Eur J Ophthalmol 2003; 13: 343 - 350 . click here to review abstract
G. Singh Bhinder, H. Singh Bhinder European Journal of Ophthalmology
2005; 15: 429 - 433.
G. Singh, H. Singh Bhinder European Journal of Ophthalmology 2005; 15:
668 - 673.
When your
eyes are red and scratchy, it could be, they’re dry. The right treatment
is important.
While
most dry eyes are not severe, some can be. Any eye irritation is a
warning sign that something has changed in the normal functioning of your
eye, and it needs proper attention. Not all eye drops are the same. Make
sure you contact your ophthalmologist if discomfort persists.
What
is dry eye?
Dry eye is
a condition when your eyes either produce too few tears, or produce tears
that are weak in the ingredients that lubricate and protect the surface
of your eye.
Why
are tears important?
Tears are
one of the body’s natural defense mechanisms. They are produced by
glands around the eye, and released to coat, protect and nourish the
surface of the eye.
What
cause dry eye?
Age:
The most common reason for dry eye is aging because both the tear flow
rate and effectiveness of your tear film decrease with age. By age 40,
you have about half the tear production you had at age 10.
Lastly, these days most common reason is Lasik or i lasik , refractive surgeries to remove glasses
Environment: Many factors in your surroundings can also lead to Dry Eye such as:
1.Staring at computer terminals or television screens
2.Air conditioning or heat in homes and offices.
3.Air pollution.
4.Driving over long distances.
5.Extremes in humidity.
Contact
lenses: Dry eye symptoms are experienced by many contact lens
wearers around about 25-32%. This is mainly because soft contact lenses
are “hydrophilic”, i.e. they attract fluids and float on top of the
tear film. If not enough tear film is produced; irritation and redness
may result from the contact lenses rubbing against the surface of the
eyes.
Other
factors: Certain medications taken for eye disorders or other
conditions can cause Dry Eye if they affect the glands (lacrimation
glands) around the eye.
Dry eyes
often occur in patients suffering from arthritis. Dry eyes are common
with women, especially during menopause or pregnancy.
Lastly, these days most common reason is Lasik or i lasik , refractive surgeries to remove glasses
What
are typical symptoms?
Dry eye
symptoms include one or more of the following :
Dryness Burning
Grittiness
Scratchiness
Watery Eyes Tiredness
Feeling of “something’s in eye”
Sensitivity to light.
Is
there a cure for Dry Eyes?
If you are suffering from dry eyes or other eye discomforts, you should obtain a complete eye examination from your ophthalmologist. If left untreated Dry eye can lead to other more serious conditions including corneal ulcers, infections and conjunctivitis. There is no cure for this condition. If Dry Eye is cause by environmental or occupational factors, i.e. staring at computers computer vision syndrome or being exposed to hot air, you could help your Dry Eye condition by simply reducing or eliminating the cause. In most cases, i.e. age or disease related, the condition is chronic and must be constantly treated. It is therefore important in all cases to follow your practitioner’s recommendation.
How
Do Tear Substitutes Help?
The first line of treatment and relief for Dry Eye is the use of Tear Substitutes solutions. These solutions supplement natural human tears and provide a substitute coating to protect and nourish the surface of the eye. Ointments are also effective, but are usually applied only at bedtime due to blurring of vision. Tear as frequently as needed.
But tear substitutes will not treat the main pathology, these are just supplement.