Viable Treatments for Tackling Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry Eye Syndrome is an on-going condition which might not be totally treatable (based on the cause), however the associated dryness, itchiness and stinging sensations could be allayed. An eye doctor would recommend artificial tears that are lubrication-inducing eye drops which might allay the niggling symptoms.

Restasis eye drops are a pioneering treatment that helps the body in increasing tear production. These eye drops contain cyclosporine coalesced with castor oil.

Lacrisert is another alternative for treating dry eye syndrome wherein a small inserts full of lubrication-providing constituent, hydroxypropyl cellulose is placed within the lower eyelid, where it would continually release lubrication to the eyes.

At times, individuals employ eye drops for reducing reddishness to cure dry eyes. However, this is hardly helpful till the time artificial tears are additionally a component in eye drops which is missing in these redness-allaying formulations. Such eye drops could allay or remove reddishness provisionally, however fail in treating the reason for the reddening, whether it is environment-related irritation, dryness or other issue. Moreover, the vasoconstrictors present in such formulations for reducing reddening function by causing contraction of the blood vessels in the eye and could be habit-forming. This means that with passage of time, increased dosages would be necessary for achieving an analogous outcome. Also, with regular usage, its effectiveness reduces or blood vessel constriction would basically not occur to that extent as it was noted after initial use of the eye drops.

Contact lens must not be worn when using eye drops, particularly artificial tears and would have to be removed prior to administering eye drops. Waiting for a minimal of fifteen minutes or more (read the labelling) prior to lens re-insertion is recommended.

Contact lens re-wetting eye drops would suffice in case of mild dry eye syndrome, although the outcome generally is just provisional.

In case the reason for dry eyes is environment related then wearing sun goggles (preferably, foam-bordering, sealed on the sides or snug-fit, wrap-around type) while outside to prevent being exposed to the sun’s rays, dust, pollution and wind.

While at home, air cleaners could aid in filtering out impurities, dust or other suspended particles in the air whereas humidifiers would add moisture to the surroundings that could have dried out due to use of heaters or air-conditioners.

Short-term or lasting use silicone plugs insertion in the tear or lacrimal drainage ducts in the eyelids would act as blockage and prevent tears from easily and swiftly flowing out. They are also dubbed as punctual (lacrimal) plugs and are placed inside the eye by an eye care practitioner.  It is a pain-free insertion and could hardly be felt afterwards.

A new-fangled form of acrylic-based punctual plug is a tiny rod that turns into a supple gel on exposure to the body’s temperature after being inserted. It is created so that it swells and conforms to the size of the tear drainage canal. Benefits of this form of plug is its single size fitting all, hence measuring is not needed. Moreover, nothing juts out from the tear duct which could be the reason for causing irritation.

A hydrogel-based punctual plug is another novel creation which would expand and form a spongy, pliant gel in the tear drainage canal. It is cap-less and in case the need to remove it arises, the eye doctor could easily flush it off employing a saline mix.

In several cases, punctual plugs are of no assistance and such people are advised tear duct closure done operatively by a procedure known as punctual cautery.

Several physicians prescribe particular nutritional supplement intake for tackling dry eyes. Research finding indicate that supplements having particular essential fatty acids (like gamma-linoleic, linoleic) could lower bothersome symptoms. Intake of cold-water fishes, flaxseed oil and drinking ample water is also recommended by many doctors.

In case some drug intake is causing dry eye syndrome then seeking a physician’s opinion on changing to another form. If there is any causal eyelid condition like blepharitis then it should be treated. Also, in case contact lens is causing discomfort and dryness then changing to another pair of lens or cease usage totally till the time the problem does not resolve.