DRY EYES
EYE HEALTHCARE – HAVE YOU GOT DRY EYES?
The main symptoms are dryness, grittiness and redness which gets worse as the day goes on. Even although a person can have ‘dry eye syndrome’, their eyes can actually run excessive water, particularly when exposed to cold, windy and even sunny conditions. This in itself can be confusing – because the tears have activated by outside elements. It is the slow production, naturally flowing tears that are important, but unfortunately their rate of flow slows with age.
Tears are vital for eye lubrication and providing nutrients to the front of the eye. The equilibrium of tear quality and quantity needs to be maintained by properly functioning oil producing glands in the eye lids (which prevents the tears becoming too ‘watery’ and evaporating quickly). Tear quantity is controlled by the nervous system and hormonal changes which tend to affect it negatively with age
General relief can be obtained from this annoying condition, but does require management at least several times daily. Remembering to blink plenty with concentration tasks is also imperative to prevent drying.
Noel McCrystal
BSc.(Hons.)MCOptom.Dip.Sc.V MASv.P