This article explores key methods for managing dry eye disease, highlighting risk factors, symptoms, and treatment options. It emphasizes the importance of accurate diagnosis and offers practical tips like home remedies, protective measures, and medical procedures to alleviate discomfort and prevent progression.

Essential Strategies for Managing Dry Eye Disease

Dry eye disease affects nearly 48% of adults over 18, leading many to seek ophthalmologic care due to inadequate tear production. Symptoms often begin as mild irritation but can advance to inflammation and corneal damage if untreated. It primarily impacts individuals over 40, with women twice as likely to develop the condition compared to men.

What factors contribute to dry eye conditions?
Age-related hormone changes, especially menopause, play a significant role. Contact lens wear, indoor environments with air conditioning or heating, and outdoor exposures like wind or dry air increase risk. Additional factors include smoking, certain medications such as antihistamines and antidepressants, and health issues like thyroid dysfunction, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and Sjogren’s syndrome.

Chronic screen exposure, flying on conditioned aircraft, and incomplete eyelid closure (lagophthalmos) are common causes.

Signs typical of dry eyes include: itching, a gritty feeling, burning sensations, redness, light sensitivity, blurred vision, excessive tearing, mucus, difficulty reading in low light, and overall eye fatigue. Symptoms tend to worsen in dry, windy, or hot environments.

Other indicators encompass:

Morning sticky eyelids

Double vision

Discomfort wearing contact lenses

Sensitivity to wind and smoke

Eye soreness and irritation

Managing dry eye involves: Accurate diagnosis through comprehensive examinations, tear quality, and gland function tests. Treatment options include:

Use of artificial tears for mild cases

Short courses of anti-inflammatory eye drops

Insertion of punctal plugs

Expressing meibomian glands with warm compresses

Light therapy for vascular inflammation

Home tips such as supplementing with vitamins A and omega-3s, maintaining eyelid hygiene, wearing quality sunglasses, blinking frequently, and avoiding smoky environments can help. Additionally, rest breaks from screens, appropriate contact lens use, and weather protection contribute to relief.