Dry eyes happen when tear glands don’t make enough tears or make poor quality tears. Dry tears can be uncomfortable, causing itching, burning, or even some loss of vision. Your eye doctor may suggest using a humidifier in the home or special eye drops ("artificial tears"). Surgery may be needed for more serious cases of dry eyes.

Dry eyes are a common source of discomfort, and usually dry eyes are a chronic problem. Adults age 40 or older are most likely to experience dry eyes. Treatment of dry eyes is aimed at restoring a more normal tear film to minimize dryness and its consequences, including blurred vision and discomfort. When patients describe symptoms of grittiness and discomfort, they are actually describing the increased sense of friction as the upper eyelid moves over the conjunctiva and cornea. This friction becomes more severe as a result of an inadequate tear film.

Sometimes, a person with a dry eye will have excess tears running down the cheeks, which may seem confusing. This happens when the eye isn't getting enough lubrication. The eye sends a distress signal through the nervous system for more lubrication. In response, the eye is flooded with tears to try to compensate for the underlying dryness. However, these tears are mostly water and do not have the lubricating qualities or the rich composition of normal tears. They will wash debris away, but they will not coat the eye surface properly.

Treatments for Dry Eyes

Follow these instructions carefully. In addition, your doctor may counsel you on environmental factors that need to be modified. Sometimes, if the oily layer of the tear film is deficient, they may suggest that you increase your consumption of oily fish or even take flax seed oil as a dietary supplement. Most likely you will be asked to drink plenty of water.

The main goal in the treatment of dry eyes is relief of symptoms. Usually this is achieved with artificial tears. These tear substitutes lubricate and wet the eyes. They are available over-the-counter as eye drops. Since artificial tears have short-term effects, they need to be applied often.

Air conditioning, heating, extreme cold and extreme hot weather will dehumidify the air. If possible, avoid these areas. Air movement will also dry tears. Avoid having a fan directly on your face.

Sterile ointments containing petrolatum are sometimes used at night to help lubricate and prevent the eye from drying. However, they may irritate some people's eyes. These ointments usually do not require a prescription.

Flax Seed Oil: This is a nutritional supplement that you can purchase at most health food and vitamin stores. Taking flax seed oil each day has been reported to help with dry eye by increasing the quality and quantity of lipid tear layer. The flax seed oil liquid seems to get better results than the tablets, but it tastes awful. Mix it with fruit juice or even yogurt - something with a strong flavor. Dosage is around two tablespoons a day, or as recommend by the manufacturer.

For less severe dry eye cases, artificial tears offer immediate relief. Unfortunately, many widely used bottles of eye drops contain preservatives which can cause a worsening of the dryness with long term use. These agents corrupt conjunctiva goblet cells which then fail to produce tear mucous. Often low-grade allergies develop. There really is nothing better than human tears.