Dry Eye is a condition when one’s eyes cannot produce enough of tears, and often last for only a for a short while. However, if the condition persists over an extended period of time, it is termed as “Chronic Dry Eye”, chronic meaning something that is ongoing.

The there are numerous reasons for chronic dry eye—inflammation, anxiety, or excessive evaporation of tears, etc. The signs and symptoms may not be obvious, but most of the symptoms tend to remain, never fading completely. Find out what causes chronic dry eyes and what you can do about it to end the misery.

Our Tear System

To start, let’s have a look at what’s really in our eyes:

• Water—for keeping the eyes wet and moist
• Oils—to act as lubricant and to prevent excessive evaporation of the fluid
• Mucus—spread throughout the eye
• Antibodies and special proteins—a part of our immune system to keep foreign material away, keeping our eyes safe.

These components are secreted by special glands that surround our eyes. Dry eyes might mean that these glands aren’t working properly, or (worst case scenario) the system may be dysfunctional.

Reflexive Tearing

People with dry eye may notice that, more often than not, dryness will result of the secretion of too many tears—this is known as Reflex Tearing. This happens because the body’s natural reaction to lack of moisture in the eyes it to create lots of fluids in the form of tears. This is also what happens when something gets into our eyes, like sand. The excessive amount of tears washes away all the debris and foreign material. However, these tears are mostly made out of water, unlike “normal” tears, which enables Dry Eye to persist. So, the question remains: What causes the Dry Eye?

What Causes Dry Eyes?

Well, there are a number of things that cause Dry Eye: an imbalance in your tear system, use of ACs and heaters that cause dryness, and many more. Other reasons include, but are not limited to:

• Aging, especially during a critical time in one’s life
• Drugs, especially antihistamines
• Diseases that directly affect your tear-system (e.g. Sjogren’s Syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, or the collagen vascular diseases)
• Diseases or syndromes that affect proper closing of the eyelids (thanks to a combination of traditional methods and scientific advances, both home-made remedies and some exercises can address this problem)

Types of treatment

Thanks to more studies about Dry Eye, a number of new ways to treat the condition have been discovered. As mentioned earlier, a myriad of things can cause Chronic Dry Eye, and sometimes they are not obvious. So it is always better to consult a doctor if you are uncertain about the cause of any symptoms. If you suspect that you have Chronic Dry Eye, click on the next slide to learn more about the different ways to treat it!

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Drugs

Using over-the-counter (OTC) eye drops is the most common way to treat Chronic Dry Eye. Some places refer to these as artificial tears. Moreover, OTCs come in both preservative and disposable versions, and it is up to you to decide which one you prefer. It must also be noted that Artificial Tears are meant for moistening the eyes, so they should only be used if the condition is mild. Also think about your comfort level in eye-drop application, because this product must be used several times a day!

OTC ointments (lubricate the eyes) in also an option. However, there is a catch: your vision tends to go blurry after usage, so they are usually only used before going to sleep. Nevertheless, they serve their purpose and are effective! Finally, we do not suggest using OTC products that claim to reduce redness because they work by tightening the vessels around your eyes, which can be uncomfortable after some time.

Prescription Medications

It’s a possibility that, depending on the gravity of the condition, the doctor may prescribe some particular medication to treat your condition—oral and/or drops.  These medications usually all have the same purpose: to reduce inflammation of one’s eyelids. When the eyelids are inflamed, the oil from the glands may not be able to mix with the fluid on the surface of the eye. As a consequence of this, excessive evaporation of the tears may take place, which results in Chronic Dry Eye. Additionally, it is possible that your doctor will suggest a medication that increases production of the gland oil.

Some Examples

It depends on the doctor to analyze and prescribe what type of medications may be best for you. The following are the two of the most common drugs prescribed for the people who suffer from Chronic Dry Eye.   

Cyclosporine (Cequa, Restasis): Cyclosporine is a drug that is used for treating rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and collagen vascular diseases. As we have seen that these diseases may also cause the Dry Eye, the use of Cyclosporine may be apt for the people who have one of these diseases.

Lifitegrast (Xiidra): Lifitegrast is a medication that is specifically for the treatment of Chronic Dry Eye. Used twice a day, these eye-drops are believed to be very effective when it comes to treating the condition.

Eye Inserts

Medical sciences have taken giant steps toward progress, making it so that there is yet another option for those with Chronic Dry Eye: eye inserts. They are generally prescribed when the drops are not effective enough. These rice-grain like tubes can be placed behind your lower eyelids like contact lenses. Then, they gradually release a substance that ensure your eyes do not go without moisture.

Medicinal Procedures

Apart from the conventional OTCs and eye inserts, there are certain medicinal procedures that are used for the treatment of Chronic Dry Eye. Following are some of those procedures:

Plugging the tear duct: involves closing of the tear duct with a removable plug to keep tears from draining, meaning they’ll remain in the eyes for a longer period of time (used when the other previously mentioned forms of treatment do not work)

Specialized Contact Lens: designed to keep your eyes moist, these specialized Scleral/Bandage contacts have been proven effective, as they prevent the moisture in your eyes from evaporating

LipiFlow Thermal Procedure: FDA-approved treatment that removes obstacles from your Meibomian glands and tear ducts to ensure an uninterrupted flow of oils to your eyes; used to treat Chronic/Evaporative Dry Eye, and only takes around 12 minutes (Business Insider seconds this!)

Easy, At-home Procedures

Besides the aforementioned procedures, there are some DIY techniques that are natural and equally effective in treating the Chronic Dry Eye, such as the following:

Simplest Method: Take a piece of cloth—it may be some towel. Dip that cloth in warm water, and hold cloth over the eyes for 5-7 minutes. This should reduce the any irritation, as it will moisten your eyes.

Not-So-Difficult Method: Take a soap that is mild—a baby shampoo might be a good example of this. Use water to make lather with that soap, and use to gently massage closed eyes.

Supplements and Natural Eye Drops

Supplements: Since the Chronic Dry Eye is usually caused by the inflammation of the eyelids, taking supplements that include Omega-3 (a type of fatty acid) may help to relieve it. Likewise, fish oil is also proven to be effective.

Eye-drops that contain castor oil: Special drops containing castor oil help to prevent excessive evaporation, which keeps the eyes moist. However, some might not be tolerant to castor oil, so be sure to consult a doctor beforehand.

Alternative therapies

Apart from medical procedures and natural treatments, there are also alternative therapies that can reduce the symptoms of the condition, such as acupuncture (a traditional Chinese therapy) and IPL therapy.

Acupuncture and IPL

Acupuncture is a proven way to reduce inflammation and/or pain, both symptoms of Chronic Dry Eye. Thus, the therapy is effective in treating the condition, perhaps even more than artificial tears.

Another therapy for the condition is known as IPL (Intense-Pulsed Light). This is used by patients who have rosacea or acne. According to a research, 93% of the patients were found satisfied after undergoing IPL in regards to their Chronic Dry Eye.

Lifestyle Changes

Along with all of these potential treatments, these lifestyle changes may prove to be effective to reduce your dry eye symptoms:

Wearing Sunglasses: This will reduce the amount of tears that evaporate, your eyes aren’t in direct sunlight. Also keep in mind that sunglasses with shields on the sides too will be even more effect, and add to your look!

Blinking More Often: While you work or are just relaxing, try to blink more often, especially when you are using screens. This reduces stress on your eyes and keeps them moist.

Using a Humidifier: You may also want an air humidifier for your home or office. This will diffuse moisture into the air—and into your eyes!

Drinking plenty of Water: Drinking more water will keep your body—and eyes—hydrated. We are 70% water, so it never hurts to replenish the most important fluid in our body!

Staying away from Smoke: Smoke (especially from cigarettes) irritates your eyes and sometimes can cause Chronic Dry Eye.

Takeaway

That’s all for now! We hope you enjoyed our list of the treatments found most effective in treating Chronic Dry Eye. Remember that the condition is caused by a number of factors; yours might be different from others, so make sure that you consult your doctor and figure out what works best for you!