Dry Eye FAQs
Dry Eye FAQs
What is Dry Eye and why does it happen?
Dry Eye is a multifactorial disease, meaning there are multiple factors or causes that can trigger it. It can show itself very early in childhood, in adulthood, or at an advanced age. Diagnosis differs for each patient. Causes are different for children than adults. As a pathology, Dry Eye can be classified as mild, moderate, or severe. A patient may not even be aware that they have a case of Dry Eye in mild situations.
What factors lead to this condition? Is diet involved?
Very often, yes, a diet rich in Omega-3s can decrease the chance of developing the condition. One type of Dry Eye, called Evaporative Dry Eye, occurs due to an obstruction of the meibomian glands. Because these are sebaceous glands and sebum is built by amino acids and free fatty acids, poor dietary habits play a key role in how they become clogged, leading to Dry Eye.
What are the types of Dry Eye?
There are 2 main types: Dry Eye with no lacrimal production and Evaporative Dry Eye. There are also subclassifications depending upon underlying causes.
How do I know if I have Dry Eye?
The associated symptoms of Dry Eye are: a sensation of foreign objects in the eye, sensation of sand, blurry vision, and crusting. The only way to know for certain if a patient has Dry Eye is through an ophthalmologist’s examination. There are many pathologies that are very similar to the symptoms of Dry Eye, and their treatments are completely different; a professional exam and diagnosis is necessary to ensure proper treatment.
Is excessive blinking an indication of Dry Eye?
While Dry Eye can cause excessive blinking, it is difficult to know if Dry Eye is the problem without an exam. Any type of irritation can make the patient blink more. While there is a lot of blinking with Dry Eye it doesn’t mean that’s the only thing a patient might have. It is recommended that the patient have a checkup with an Ophthalmologist to eliminate or identify any conditions.
When I blink, sometimes my eyelids get stuck together, and I have red eyes all the time, is this Dry Eye?
At first glance, with these symptoms and how severe they are, the initial concern would be an infection. However, Dry Eye does cause these symptoms.
Can Dry Eye be cured, or is it chronic?
Like Diabetes, Dry Eye is a chronic condition: it cannot be cured, but it can be controlled. The objective is to reduce the patient’s symptoms as much as possible.
If I have symptoms, is it enough to use lubrication drops?
Yes and no, it depends on condition severity. Most patients who have mild Dry Eye will be able to control it using only lubricant drops. Patients who are resistant to the treatment or who are not using the correct drops may still experience symptoms. It all depends on each individual patient. The patient must be checked in order to know if the treatment they are using is adequate if the drops are effective, or if there is a better treatment option for them.
What does the MiBo treatment entail?
The MiBo treatment is unique and exclusive to CODET Vision Institute. It helps to treat Meibomian gland dysfunction, among other conditions. 85% of patients with Dry Eye have this condition, which occurs when the glands that everyone has in the cord around the edge of the eyelid, both upper and lower, get clogged. The clogs cause tear quality to decrease, which leads to Dry Eye.
The MiBo treatment consists of a metal barrier that is put in between the eyelids and is heated at 40 ºC, just the right temperature to melt the Meibomian gland lipids and allow them to unclog. This treatment, as performed in the Dry Eye Clinic at CODET Vision Institute, includes putting this device in the eyelids and an exfoliation to allow the glands to unclog completely. The initial treatment unclogs the glands. Once they are unclogged, it is easier for the lacrimal film to function properly with better quality, less evaporation, and to remain lubricated for much longer.
My eyes tear up a lot, is this Dry Eye? Why do I tear up so much if I have Dry Eye
It may sound paradoxical, but it is easy to explain: against any physical threat, the eye needs to fight back, and tearing up is one of its primary defense mechanisms. The reflexive defense of the eye against an attack is to blink and tear up. If the eye is dry, the brain interprets this as the eye being hurt: that the eye is dry and it doesn’t have any tears. In response, the brain signals the eye to produce more tears. But what is produced are not balanced tears, so although there is an excess of water to the point of overflowing, the extra tears are not fixing the underlying problem.
What are the consequences of not treating Dry Eye?
Like any condition that is left untreated, not treating Dry Eye means symptoms will continue. There can be a loss of vision or even a loss of the eye in very severe cases, usually because the Dry Eye is associated with another disease. Every case is unique. Not all patients are the same, and they have to be treated specifically for their condition.
Is Dry Eye the same as Sjögren’s syndrome?
Saying no is too restrictive an answer and saying yes is a mistake. Sjögren is a syndrome in which dry eyes occur but is not the only issue. Sjögren’s syndrome causes systemic inflammation that is responsible for creating dryness at a mucous level, both orally and in the eyes. Dry Eye does occur, but it is associated with rheumatological diseases and is more of an autoimmune response to the glands that produce saliva and tears than traditional Dry Eye. Dry Eye caused by Sjögren’s syndrome can be stubborn and difficult to treat. If you have Sjögren’s syndrome, please schedule an appointment so we can assist you fully.