Dry eyes and tear duct disorders
What are dry eyes?
Dry eyes are caused by insufficient tear production or rapid tear evaporation. This may cause your eyes to burn or sting, secrete mucus or even become red. Vision may be occasionally fuzzy as a result and you might suffer from light sensitivity. Dry eyes can have an enormous effect on your daily life. Fortunately, there are many painless treatments that will quickly make you comfortable again.
Symptoms of dry eyes
- Red eyes
- Pain
- Tearing eyes
- Tired eyes
- Less sharp vision
- Itching or a gritty sensation in your eyes
- Light sensitivity
- Difficulty wearing contact lenses
- Irritation by wind, smoke, etc…
Treatment of dry eyes
It is important to understand that there is no quick, ready-made solution. Only with a thorough and long-term treatment good results can be achieved. There is a good chance that various methods will be used simultaneously during your treatment.
Some of the eye doctors in our eye centres are specialised in treating dry eyes. They will propose the most suitable therapies.
- Artificial tears
Drops or ‘artificial tears’ can increase the quantity of tears. Artificial tears are a supplement to your own tears and are often prescribed in combination with another treatment.
- Punctal plugs
If insufficient tears are produced or if the tears are of inadequate quality, the tear drainage channel in the lower eyelid is closed up with a ‘plug’, so that the tears remain in the eye and offer better lubrication. The ‘punctal plug’ looks like a sort of small champagne cork and is not visible in the eye.
- Food supplements
A healthy tear film ensures that your eyes don’t dry out and you can see sharply at all times. The lower layer, a thin layer of oil, is produced by the meibomian glands and protects the tears against evaporation. If these glands produce too little oil, your tears can easily dry up and you can experience blurred vision, or tired or tearing eyes. An Omega 3 food supplement (fish oil) can help. It increases the quantity of oil and improves the quality of the oil produced by the meibomian glands.
Treatment of dry eyes
We like to take the time to analyse how best to treat your dry eyes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes dry eyes?
Dry eyes occur when your tear production is insufficient, the composition of your tears is not optimal, or the tear film evaporates too quickly. Common causes include age, hormonal fluctuations (think of menopause or pregnancy), air conditioning, prolonged screen time, certain medication and wearing contact lenses. Blocked meibomian glands — small glands in the eyelid margin — can also trigger dry eyes.
What are the symptoms of dry eyes and can they cause blurred vision?
Indeed, fluctuating blurred vision is a typical symptom of dry eyes. Other complaints include a burning or stinging sensation, red eyes, sensitivity to light, tired eyes, itching, a gritty feeling or irritation when wearing contact lenses. At Oogartsencentrum ZW-Vlaanderen en Kortrijk-West in Harelbeke and Kortrijk, we have advanced diagnostic equipment to determine exactly which type of dry eyes you have.
What causes watery eyes and can they be caused by dry eyes?
Watery eyes often turn out to be the result of dry eyes, however paradoxical that may sound. When the meibomian glands do not secrete enough oil, the tears evaporate too quickly. The eye responds by producing extra tears, causing your eyes to overflow. As we get older, the function of the tear glands declines and we see this complaint more often. Draughts, screen work and contact lenses can also contribute to watery eyes.
What can you do about dry eyes and which treatments exist?
There are several painless treatment options for dry eyes, although you shouldn’t expect a quick fix. At Oogartsencentrum ZW-Vlaanderen en Kortrijk-West we can, among other things, prescribe artificial tears, apply LipiFlow (a combination of massage and heat to open blocked meibomian glands), use IPL light therapy (with a success rate of 90%), Tixel, MiBo Thermoflo or punctal plugs. In many cases, we combine several methods for an optimal result.
Do eye drops help with dry eyes and which are the best?
Artificial tears are indeed the most commonly prescribed eye drops for this complaint. They are not a medicine, but supplement your own tear film. There are different types, each tailored to a specific type of complaint. Our ophthalmologists in Harelbeke and Kortrijk will work with you to choose the artificial tears that best suit your type of dry eyes. In addition, we often recommend taking Omega 3 supplements as a supportive therapy.