Most people do not realize how common dry eyes are. About 13% of the population over 40 suffers from dry eyes. This is about 17 million Americans. Often times people do not realize they suffer from dry eyes because one of the most common symptoms is tearing. Often people think, "How can my eyes be dry if they tear?"

Here are a few questions and answers about dry eyes.

What are some symptoms of dry eyes?
1. Tearing: Dry eyes can sometimes cause tearing to the point that tears will run down the
face. When the eye is dry, it sends a signal to the lacrimal gland that produces tears. This signal causes the eye to produce extra tears which are not good quality tears. These extra tears can run down your face and look like you are crying due to dry eyes.
2. Burning: The cornea needs good quality tears to bathe its sensitive tissue. If dry eyes
cause a lack of quality tears to the cornea, burning and stinging can result.
3. Blurry Vision: The cornea accounts for 2/3 of the power of the eye. Anything such as dry eyes that affects this delicate tissue will affect your vision.
4. Decreased Comfort with Contact Lenses:

What are some of the causes of dry eyes?
1. Side Effects of Medications: Especially antihistamines, nasal decongestants, blood pressure pills, antidepressants and birth control pills.
2. Menopausal Women: Especially those on estrogen are 70% more likely to develop dry eye.
3. Environment: Windy, dusty, or dry climates contribute to dry eyes.
4. Computer Use: People who often spend hours in front of a computer screen blink less often, reducing the frequency of tear film distribution to the cornea.

Are there certain activities that increase the symptoms of dry eyes?
Certain symptoms such as wearing contact lenses or using a computer can also contribute to the symptoms of dry eyes. People who are staring at a computer screen do not blink as often as normal and can cause the symptoms of dry eyes.

Are there things I should not be taking for my dry eyes?
Yes. Certain eye drops are not good for dry eyes. For example, Visine is not good to be taken for dry eye. Check with Drs. Vaher and Marcussen before using any over the counter eye drop.

What can be done to help dry eyes? Treatment
While there is not one "cure" for dry eyes, there are several things we can prescribe or do to help.
1. Tear Savers: Every time you blink tears drain out of your eye. If your eyes are dry, we don't want the tears to drain out of your eyes as fast. For this reason, Drs.Vaher and Marcussen recommend tear savers to help keep your tears in your eye longer. Tear savers are very tiny little silicone tips that fit over one of the drainage holes in your lid. This prevents your tears from draining as fast and keeps your eye more comfortable. Tear savers are very easy to insert and they do not require any surgery or maintenance. They usually last for a year or two and help keep the eye more comfortable. Drs.Vaher and Marcussen can put them in here in the office and often your medical (not vision) insurance covers this procedure. Tear savers often help people who have trouble wearing contact lenses due to dry eyes have a more comfortable contact lens experience.
2. Eye Drops: Certain eyedrops help stabilize the tear film. One such eyedrop is Soothe XP. This drop should be used in both eyes two times a day in the morning and night. This drop is available over the counter.
3. Artificial Tears: There are lots of artificial tears on the market. The one that
Drs. Vaher and Marcussen recommend is Sustane Ultra. This drop can be used several times per day even with contact lenses.
4. Restasis is a prescription drop that helps restore the natural balance of the tears. It
should be used twice daily in both eyes. Restasis does not take affect until about 45
days after the treatment is started. It works well but must be used for 45 days
before patients notice an improvement.
5. Changing the type of contact lenses worn often helps the symptoms of dry eyes.
There are some recent studies that suggest daily disposable lenses help patients who have dry eye because of less build up of proteins. Daily disposable contacts are the safest, easiest, most convenient way to wear contacts.

Be sure to talk with Drs. Vaher and Marcussen if you are experiencing any symptoms of dry eyes. We can help you manage your ocular conditions and improve your comfort.