Prevention and Treatment of Dry Eyes
Dry eyes, often referred to as Dry Eye Syndrome, is the complaint that eye doctors hear from patients. About 33 million Americans of both sexes of all ages of all racial backgrounds experience varying degrees of dry eye syndromes.
The eyes often reflect a larger problem that needs to be treated systemically. Certain nutrients such as vitamins A, C, D, E, & B6, Magnesium, GLA & DHA, Mucopolysaccharides & Tumeric may help ease chronic and severe dry eyes.
Like most eye conditions, dry itchy eyes are often related to health conditions in the rest of the body. It is commonly associated with dryness of other mucous membranes, interior body surfaces like the joints, as well as brittle nails. Dry eye can also be a sign of digestive imbalances or of more serious systemic autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome or lupus erthematosus.
The production of tears relies on the function of three interrelated layers:
- The Mucus Layer is the closest layer to the corneal epithelium. It is produced by the conjunctival goblet cells, and is absorbed by the corneal surface glycoproteins, creating a hydrophilic corneal surface.
- The Aqueous Layer lies between the Mucous and Lipid Layers, and comprises 90% of the tear film's thickness. It is secreted by the lacrimal gland and incorporates all water-soluble components of the tear film (slightly alkaline at pH of 7.4).
- The Lipid Layer is the most superficial layer. It is produced by the Meibomiam glands with minor contribution from glands of Zeis and Moll. The secretion is a sebaceous material that is fluid at body temperature. It works to retard the evaporation of the Aqueous Layer and lowers surface tension thereby allowing tear-film to mold itself to the eye's surface.
- Blinking renews the tear film by delivering material from the Aqueous and Lipid Layers and sweeping away debris. The normal blink interval is every 5 seconds. Tear film is typically stable for about 10 seconds.
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Symptoms
Typical symptoms include dryness, grittiness, irritation, difficulty reading for long periods of time,
burning, and, even though it seems quite contradictory, excessive tearing or watering of the eyes.
Nutritional Supplements for Dry Eyes
These are the most important supplements and recommendations for dry eye syndrome.
Causes of Dry Eyes
- Any disruption in the tear production process
- Blepharitis can often cause dry eye symptoms due to inflammation of the eye lid margins, which is caused by a bacterial infection (staphylococci). More on blepharitis
- Computer Users tend to blink much less frequently (about 7 times per minute verses the normal rate of around 22 times per minute). This lack of blinking leads to increased tear film evaporation along with the fatigue and eye strain associated with staring at a computer monitor. Ideally, computer users should take short breaks about every 20 minutes to reduce the risk of eye strain. Also, adjusting the monitor so that it is below eye level will allow the upper lid to be positioned lower and cover more of the eye's surface, again to reduce tear film evaporation. Also read understanding computer eyestrain.
- LASIK surgery temporarily disrupts the ocular surface/lacrimal gland unit. Also, during LASIK, roughly 60-70% of the superficial nerve fibers in the cornea are severed, which impacts sensation and affects acqueous tears. With compromised sensation, the blink rate can slow to the point where the tear film breaks up before the next blink can reconstitute it. This may result in mild to severe dry eye syndrome for many months after surgery. This condition usually clears up eventually.
- Other diseases that may be associated with dry eyes include Rheumatoid Arthritis, Diabetes (especially when the blood sugar is up), Asthma, Thyroid disease (lower lid does not move when blinking), Lupus, and possibly Glaucoma.
- Age: An average 65 year old only has 40% of the tear volume that he or she had at age 18. Dry Eye Syndrome affects 75% of people over age 65.
- Hormonal changes for women can cause decreased tear production brought on by pregnancy, lactation, menstruation, and post menopause.
- Other causes include too much coffee drinking, smoking, wearing contact lenses, time spent in air-conditioning or heat.
Drugs that can cause dry eye symptoms (Such as dry itchy eyes, see "Drugs That Harm the Eyes" for a more complete list of harmful drugs:)
- Antibiotics
- Blood pressure medications
- Antidepressants
- Diuretics
- Over-the-counter vasoconstrictors (i.e. Visine)
- Antihistamines
- Birth control pills
- Appetite suppressants
- Ulcer medications
Conventional Treatment
- Artificial Tears: Some form of over-the-counter artificial tears is usually recommended. Although they may provide temporary relief, they merely palliate the symptoms. In fact, the preservatives can aggravate the condition, and can even kill corneal cells. Tears that promise to "get the red out" will reduce circulation in the eye, decrease production of the tear film, and, worst of all, eventually make your eyes even drier.
- Punctal Occlusion: Punctal occlusion is a procedure used to help dry eye patients by closing the tear drainage canals with silicone plugs, which keep most of the fluid from the surface of the eye. This may provide long-term relief.
Dry Eye Tests Since there are three different tear layers produced to make up the tear film, these tests, performed by an eye doctor, help determine where the dry eye problem may be coming from, and what treatment may be needed. Some common tests that may be performed:
- Rose Bengal staining pattern
- Tear film break-up time (10 seconds)
- Schirmer tear test
- Tear Osmolarity
- Tear protein levels (lactorerrin and lysozyme)
- Evaluation of debris in tear film
- Conjunctival impression cytoloty
- Presence of corneal filaments
Self Help for Dry Eyes
Diet & Nutrition
- The Vision Diet - recommended in Natural Eye Care: An Encyclopedia on CD. This CD covers 29 major eye conditions, including diabetic retinopathy, and offers advice on nutrients, diet, exercise and juicing instructions specific to each eye condition, plus much more.
- Make sure to eat lots of green leafy vegetables.
- Avoid sugar and/or artificial sweeteners: Consumption of more than 11 teaspoons of sugar a day has been linked to dry eye syndrome (a single can of soda contains approximately 9 teaspoons of sugar). Sugar is hidden throughout processed and refined foods including cereals, ketchup, and salad dressings.
- Avoid the toxic fats in commercial red meat, dairy products, fried foods, and hydrogenated oils (such as margarine and shortening). These fats interfere with the proper metabolism of essential fatty acids in the body and are indirect causes of dry eye syndrome. Eat organic or free range products whenever possible.
- Avoid coffee and smoking.
- Avoid hydrogenated and transfatty acid containing foods (i.e.: margarine, most chips... always remember to read labels and be aware of what you are putting into your body).
- Drink 8-10 glasses of water a day.
- Avoid any foods to which you may be allergic. Try cutting out categories of foods for a week at a time, and see how you feel, or visit an allergist for testing. Typical allergenic foods include nightshades (eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, white potatoes and cucumbers), milk, wheat, and corn (or products with corn in them).
- Supplement your diet with a good multivitamin such as
Dr. Grossman's
Whole Food Multivitamin and/or an organic green drink daily such as
Fruits N Greens 180 gm
Other Recommendations
- Dry Eye Homeopathic Eye Drops are very effective. We recommend the drops especially formulated for women and for men.
- Use a humidifier at home and/or at work to keep the air from drying out in the winter.
- Remember to blink, especially while working at the computer.
- Check your medications for any side effects that may cause dry eyes.
- Gently massage your upper and lower lids, a couple of times a day to stimulate the tear glands.
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