Do you have tired, faded, dry eyes? The eyes use more than 80% of all energy generated. If your eyes are bothering you, they use even more energy to function. Dry eyes are a problem that can drain your body's energy reserves. It can also be a symptom of a number of other problems. Determine what is causing dry eyes and provide the eyes with nutrients. Very soon you will notice that the dryness of the eyes goes away and the energy returns.

Steps

Part 1

Understand why tears are important. Tears not only moisturize the eyes, but also perform several other important functions. Tears supply essential electrolytes, proteins to fight bacteria and enzymes that help keep your eyes healthy. Tears quickly cover the entire eye to provide moisture and nutrients.

• If there is any problem with tears, it becomes a problem for the whole eye. Almost anything can be the cause, but you can try different methods treatment.

1. Use artificial tear drops. Artificial tears in drops serve as lubrication and moisturizing for dry eyes outer surface... Artificial tear drops will not necessarily cure the root cause of your dry eye. However, they will help relieve symptoms. Some contain preservatives that can irritate your eyes if you use them more than four times a day. If you need to use artificial tears more than four times a day, look for preservative-free ones.

   • Trial and error is usually the only way to find the best artificial tear brand for your particular dry eye condition. Sometimes a combination of several brands may be required. A wide range of brands is available at any pharmacy.

2. Try it healing drops for eyes. The most commonly used drug for dry, irritated eyes is hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, followed by carboxymethylcellulose. They are also used in drops as a lubricant and can be found in many OTC drops. You can also search eye ointment with an antibiotic such as tetracycline, ciprofloxacin or chloramphenicol. This will be helpful if you have eyelid puffiness.

   Check your eyesight. If you have already tried eye drops and prescription drops, but you are still very worried about dry eyes, see your optometrist. The doctor will work out the cause of your dry eyes and decide on other treatment options.

   Use an eye ointment. Your doctor may prescribe an eye ointment for you. Unlike artificial tears, which relieve dry eye symptoms, ointments contain medicinal substance which will heal the cause of your dry eyes.

   • Eye ointments can provide relief due to their lubricating effect. They help during long periods when artificial tears cannot be used (for example, during sleep).

3. Operate your tear ducts to block them. You may need a longer and longer effective treatment... Your doctor may suggest inserting plugs into your tear ducts. They stop tears from flowing out by providing lubrication to your eyes.

   Cauterize the tear ducts. If you have plugs inserted, but your eyes are severely dry, your doctor may suggest moxibustion. lacrimal ducts... Once your doctor approves this surgery, the ophthalmologist will do the examinations and surgery.

   Part 2

   How to prevent dry eyes

   1. Moisturize your eyes without becoming dehydrated. Dry eye cannot be completely cured, but certain preventive measures can be taken that can help when combined with treatment. Like any liquid, tears also evaporate when exposed to air. To keep your eyes hydrated:

      • do not expose your eyes to direct airflow (such as a car heater, hair dryer and air conditioner)
      • keep the humidity level in your home between 30-50%
      • use a humidifier in winter to humidify dry indoor air

   2. Wear glasses. Wear sunglasses when going outside in sunny weather. Wear safety goggles if planning to go to the pool. In addition, you can order special glasses from an ophthalmologist. These glasses create additional moisture by forming cavities around the eyes.

      Don't irritate your eyes. Avoid smoking as it can lead to a rapid decrease in tears and cause many other health problems. Also, don't rub your eyes. This will help prevent bacteria from spreading from fingers and nails to your eyes.

      Moisturize your eyes. Place artificial tears on your eyes to lubricate and moisturize your eyes. You can use an ointment that will last longer than eye drops... However, due to its viscosity, it can be unpleasant and cause blurred vision. You may decide to use the ointment only when you sleep.

      • Use eye drops before, and not after, eye-strain activities to prevent dry eyes. Try to blink more often. This helps to distribute tears or drops evenly.

   3. Reduce salt intake in your diet. Dry eyes can result from consuming too much salt. You can see this for yourself, especially when you get up at night to use the toilet. If you have dry eyes, drink about 350 ml of water. Notice if you feel immediate relief in the eye area. If this happens, then reduce your salt intake and stay hydrated.

   Warnings

   • If you have chronic dry eyes, talk to your doctor. If you suffer from diabetes and hypertension, you should have regular eye examinations due to the complications of these chronic conditions. If you have chronic diseases, then you need to convey this to the attention of all doctors so that none of the aspects of your condition is left unattended.

(xerophthalmia) - a state of insufficient moisture in the surface of the cornea and conjunctiva due to impaired quality and quantity of tear fluid and instability of the tear film. Manifestations of dry eye syndrome are burning and stinging, feeling of sand in the eyes, lacrimation, traffic phobia, rapid fatigue during visual work, intolerance to dry and dusty air. Dry eye syndrome is diagnosed according to the results of biomicroscopy, Schirmer and Norn tests, fluorescein instillation test, tiascopy, osmometry, tear fluid crystallography, cytological examination of a smear from the conjunctiva. As a treatment for dry eye syndrome, preparations of artificial tears, obturation of the lacrimal ducts, tarsorrhaphy, keratoplasty, transplantation of the salivary glands are indicated.

General information

Dry eye syndrome is a fairly common condition in ophthalmology, which is characterized by a deficiency in hydration of the surface of the cornea and conjunctiva of the eye and the development of signs of xerosis. Dry eye syndrome occurs in 9-18% of the population, more often in women (almost 70% of cases), the incidence of the disease increases significantly with age: up to 50 years - 12%, after 50 - 67%.

Normal front surface eyeball covered with a continuous thin (about 10 microns) tear film having a three-layer structure. Outer lipid layer - oily secretion of the meibomian glands provides sliding upper eyelid on the surface of the eyeball and slows down the evaporation of the tear film. The aqueous layer with dissolved electrolytes and organic compounds flushes foreign bodies from the eye, provides the cornea with nutrients and oxygen, and creates immune protection. Mucin layer - the mucous secretion of the goblet and epithelial cells directly contacts the cornea: makes its surface even and smooth, binding to it tear film and providing high quality vision.

Approximately every 10 seconds, the tear film ruptures, initiating blinking movement of the eyelids and renewal of the tear fluid, restoring its integrity. Violation of the stability of the pre-corneal tear film leads to its frequent rupture, dryness of the surface of the cornea and conjunctiva, the development of dry eye syndrome.

Causes of dry eye syndrome

Insufficient quantity and quality of tear fluid, as well as excessive evaporation of the precorneal tear film, leads to dry eye syndrome, which reduces its preservation time or volume.

The reasons for the development of dry eye syndrome can be internal diseases and syndromes associated with a decrease in tear production: autoimmune (Sjogren's syndrome), diseases of the hematopoietic and reticuloendothelial systems (Felty's syndrome, malignant lymphoma), endocrine dysfunction (endocrine ophthalmopathy, menopause), renal depletion and infectious diseases, skin diseases(pemphigus), pregnancy.

Dry eye syndrome can be caused by pathology of the organs of vision (chronic conjunctivitis, corneal and conjunctival scars, neuroparalytic keratitis, lagophthalmos, lacrimal gland dysfunction) and ophthalmic surgery that destabilizes the tear film (anterior radial keratotomy, corneal photoablation, corneal photoablation ).

There are artifical factors infringing stability of the tear film - dry air from air conditioners and fan heaters, hard work with a PC, watching TV, errors in the selection and use of contact lenses, environmental problems.

Reduces tear production and causes dry eye syndrome long-term use ocular medicines containing beta-blockers, anticholinergics, anesthetics; some systemic drugs (hormonal contraceptives, antihistamines, antihypertensives).

The appearance of dry eye syndrome is facilitated by too rare blinking movements, vitamin deficiency with impaired metabolism of fat-soluble vitamins, genetic predisposition, age after 40 years, belonging to the female sex. A decrease in the frequency of blinking movements may be due to a decrease in the sensitivity of the cornea of ​​a functional or organic nature.

Dry eye syndrome classification

According to the domestic classification, dry eye syndrome is distinguished by pathogenesis, which developed as a result of a decrease in the volume of tear fluid secretion, increased evaporation of the tear film, as well as their combined effects; by etiology distinguish between syndromic dry eye, symptomatic, artifact.

Dry eye syndrome can be expressed in various clinical forms: recurrent macro- and microerosions of the cornea or conjunctiva of the eyeball; dry keratoconjunctivitis, filamentous keratitis.

According to the severity, there is a light, moderate, a severe and especially severe form of dry eye syndrome.

Dry eye symptoms

The clinical manifestations of dry eye syndrome are very diverse and are largely determined by the severity of the disease. The subjective symptoms of dry eye syndrome include sensation foreign body(sand) in the conjunctival cavity, redness, burning and pain in the eyes; lacrimation, increased sensitivity to light, fatigue; blurry vision pain with instillation of eye drops.

Symptoms of dry eye syndrome are usually more pronounced in the evening, as well as when you are in a dry or dirty room, in the cold, wind, after prolonged or strenuous visual work.

Objective signs of dry eye syndrome are xerotic changes in the cornea and conjunctiva. varying degrees severity (corneal-conjunctival xerosis). With a mild course of corneal-conjunctival xerosis, a compensatory increase in tear production (hyperlacrimia) and an increase in the height of the lower lacrimal meniscus develop. With moderate xerosis, reflex lacrimation decreases, lacrimal menisci are reduced or completely absent, there is a feeling of "dryness" in the eyes, swollen conjunctiva crawling onto the free edge of the lower eyelid and its displacement along with the stuck eyelid during blinking movements. Severe corneal-conjunctival xerosis manifests itself in the following clinical forms: filamentous keratitis, keratoconjunctivitis dry and recurrent corneal erosion occurring against the background of existing manifestations of dry eye syndrome.

With filamentous keratitis on the cornea, multiple epithelial growths are observed, manifestations of a moderately pronounced corneal syndrome without inflammatory changes in the conjunctiva.

With keratoconjunctivitis dry, pronounced corneal-conjunctival changes of an inflammatory-degenerative nature are noted: subepithelial opacities, dullness and roughness of the cornea, saucer-shaped epithelialized or non-epithelialized depressions on its surface, flaccid hyperemia, conjunctival edema and more pronounced glittering of the conjunctiva ...

With recurrent corneal erosion, superficial microdefects of its epithelium periodically appear, which persist for up to 3-5 days or more, after their epithelialization, prolonged discomfort is noted.

Particularly severe corneal-conjunctival xerosis usually develops with complete or partial non-closure of the palpebral fissure. Dry eye syndrome against the background of a pronounced lack of vitamin A is manifested by squamous metaplasia of the epithelium and keratinization of the conjunctiva.

Dry eye syndrome is often associated with blepharitis. Dry eye syndrome can lead to severe and irreversible xerotic changes and even corneal perforation.

Diagnosis of dry eye syndrome

Diagnostic examination of a patient with dry eye syndrome begins with the collection of complaints, an assessment of the anamnesis and clinical symptoms diseases, in order to identify pathognomonic and indirect signs corneal-conjunctival xerosis.

During a physical examination for dry eye syndrome, an external examination is performed, during which the ophthalmologist determines the condition of the eyelid skin, the adequacy of their closure, the nature and frequency of blinking movements. With biomicroscopy of the eye, the condition of the lacrimal film, cornea, conjunctiva of the eyeball and eyelids, the height of the lacrimal menisci are analyzed.

If you suspect dry eye syndrome, a fluorescein instillation test is performed using a staining solution, which allows you to determine the time of tear film rupture and to identify the presence of dry foci - areas of the cornea devoid of epithelium. With the help of special tests, the rate of formation of tear fluid is investigated - the total tear production (Schirmer's test), the quality and rate of evaporation of the tear film (Norn's test). Non-invasive assessment of the strength of the pre-corneal tear film is carried out using tiascopy (viewing in polarized light) and measuring the thickness of the lipid layer.

A complete ophthalmologic examination for dry eye syndrome also includes laboratory testing of osmolarity and tear fluid crystallography. cytological examination smear from the conjunctiva (including impression). In case of systemic or endocrine diseases in the history of a patient with dry eye syndrome, appropriate immunological and endocrinological studies are performed.

Dry eye treatment

Treatment of dry eye syndrome is focused on eliminating the etiological factors of xerosis; full hydration ocular surface and increasing the stability of the pre-corneal tear film; relief of pathological changes in the cornea and conjunctiva and prevention of complications.

The most widely used in dry eye syndrome are regular instillations of artificial tears (natural tears, gels with carbomer and dexpanthenol), which make it possible to restore a fairly stable tear film on the surface of the eyeball. With a mild course of dry eye syndrome, low viscosity preparations are prescribed, for moderate and severe forms - medium and high viscosity (gels), in especially severe cases of xerosis - low viscosity preparations without preservatives.

Also, with dry eye syndrome, instillations of anti-inflammatory and immunotropic agents are shown, in the presence of degenerative xerotic changes in the cornea - metabolic drugs. Additionally, antihistamines are prescribed, stabilizers of mast cell membranes, stabilizers of lysosomal membranes of macrophages.

Surgical treatment of dry eye syndrome is carried out, if necessary, to limit the outflow and evaporation of native or artificial tears from the conjunctival cavity, increase the flow of lacrimal fluid, and eliminate the complications that have arisen (xerotic ulcer, corneal perforation). Closing the lacrimal ducts of the eye is performed by the following methods: obturation of the lacrimal openings using special plugs; plastic surgery of the lacrimal openings by the conjunctiva or skin; diathermocoagulation, laser coagulation or surgical suturing.

Obturation of the lacrimal canaliculus with miniature silicone plugs and the conjunctival covering of the lacrimal opening in dry eye syndrome are preferable because they are minimally invasive, more effective and do not cause irreversible changes.

With severe xerosis of the cornea (xerotic ulcer, keratomalacia) and the lack of effect from drug therapy and obstruction of the lacrimal ducts, with dry eye syndrome, keratoplasty is performed. Patients with incomplete eyelid closure, wide palpebral fissure and infrequent blinking are shown lateral tarsorrhaphy.

Innovative methods of treating dry eye syndrome are the transplantation of the salivary glands from the oral cavity into the conjunctival cavity, the implantation of soft tissue the patient with the removal of special tubes into the conjunctival cavity.

Prediction and prevention of dry eye syndrome

Even with a mild course, dry eye syndrome requires full and adequate treatment in order to avoid the development of severe diseases of the conjunctiva and cornea with possible loss of vision.

Dry eye syndrome can be prevented by reducing eye exposure to artifactual factors by preventive treatment internal diseases, incl. pathology of the organs of vision, consuming a sufficient amount of liquid, eating rationally, more often making blinking movements with visual stress.

Dry eye syndrome is a lack of moisture in the cornea that causes it to dry out and lose its function. Normally, the eye is constantly hydrated, this is one of the conditions for its normal functioning. With a lack of moisture, the so-called dry eye syndrome develops, which has a number of characteristic features, as well as dire consequences.

It can develop as a primary, independent disease, or it can be one of the symptoms of another disease, but whatever the cause of dry eye syndrome, it can lead to partial or complete loss of vision, and therefore requires close attention.

The mechanism of development of dry eye syndrome

Moisturization of the eye occurs due to the protective film on the eye that covers the cornea, and the produced tear fluid, which constantly wets it. The protective film consists of three layers:

• The surface layer is formed by lipids, i.e. fats that protect the film from moisture evaporation.
• The middle layer - consists of the lacrimal fluid, its task is nutrition, protection of the cornea and a certain visual function, since the presence of this layer changes light refraction
• The mucous, or mucinous layer - adheres tightly to the cornea, protecting it and serving as the basis for the other two layers of the protective film.

In addition, a healthy eye constantly contains a small amount of tear fluid, which, when blinking, washes it. The lacrimal fluid has a complex composition, it is produced by a whole group of glands, 2 ml daily in a calm emotional state, because, as you know, in the case of emotional upheavals, the production of tear fluid increases sharply. In addition to the system for the production of tear fluid, there is also a system for the outflow of excess moisture from the eye. With the help of the lacrimal canal, excess tears drain into the nasal cavity, which becomes very noticeable when a person cries - he always has nasal discharge. Also, the drainage system allows the tear fluid to be renewed and perform the function of nourishing the cornea.

Causes of dry eye syndrome

Failure at any stage in the production or outflow of tear fluid can lead to dry eye syndrome. This can be a violation of tear formation, poor quality of the formed film (for example, a thinned lipid layer, which leads to its drying out), uneven distribution of the protective film over the cornea.

Dry eye syndrome can be caused by various conditions and diseases.

Most common reasons dry eye syndrome are:

• vitamin deficiency, especially a violation of the metabolism of fat-soluble vitamins (A);
• diseases of the endocrine glands, i.e. endocrine diseases;
• systemic diseases in which connective tissue is affected;
• hormonal disruption, for example, during the onset of menopause;
• incorrectly fitted contact lenses;
• some medications incl. antihypertensive drugs;
• violation of the mode of work with the computer. In this case, dry eye syndrome has several synonyms: eye office syndrome, computer vision syndrome, etc.
• poor environmental situation.

Age can also act, if not as a cause of dry eye syndrome, then as a factor contributing to its development, since the older the age group, the more frequent the cases of the disease. After the age of 40, about 30% of people are affected by dry eye syndrome. As a result of the lower stability of the hormonal background and the direct dependence of the production of tear fluid on hormones, the symptoms of dry eye syndrome appear in women more often than in men.

Symptoms of dry eye include the following:

• redness of the eyes, especially after activities that require them to strain;
• a burning sensation and pain in the eyes;
• increased lacrimation, which at first glance seems paradoxical. In fact, it is a compensatory mechanism triggered by the body to eliminate corneal dryness;
• painful reaction to the instillation of drops of any composition into the eyes, even if they do not contain any irritants
• poor tolerance to wind, smoke, air conditioning.

According to the degree of manifestation of symptoms of dry eye syndrome, there are several clinical forms diseases: mild, moderate, severe and extremely severe.

Diagnosis of dry eye syndrome

Diagnosis of dry eye syndrome is carried out in several directions: examination of the cornea with the definition of dry lesions, for which special staining solutions are used. Then the production of tear fluid is examined using special samples, as well as its outflow. A complete ophthalmological examination is performed, including a laboratory study of the composition of the tear fluid. If you suspect that systemic or endocrine diseases could be the cause of dry eye syndrome, immunological and endocrinological examinations are carried out, respectively.

Dry eye treatment

Depending on the cause of dry eye syndrome, treatment can be done in one of the following ways, or a combination of both:

• stimulating the production of tear fluid;
• obstruction of the outflow of tear fluid;
• artificial replacement of lacrimal fluid;
• decreased evaporation of lacrimal fluid.

Most effective way Treatment of dry eye syndrome in its moderate to severe forms is to obstruct the outflow of tear fluid. This can be achieved in two ways - surgical, in which obturation of the lacrimal glands is performed, simply speaking, their intersection, as a result of which the liquid does not enter the nasal cavity, and orthopedic - the manufacture of a special obturator, a miniature "plug" lacrimal canal... The second method is currently more preferable in the treatment of dry eye syndrome, since, firstly, it does not cause irreversible changes, and secondly, the current generation of silicone used for the manufacture of the obturator does not cause allergic reactions and thirdly, no surgical intervention is required.

In some cases, when no pathology is detected, and the drying out of the cornea is the result of improperly organized work with a computer or books.

It should be noted that even in mild cases that seem insignificant, it is imperative to treat dry eye syndrome, since otherwise it can lead to severe diseases of the conjunctiva and cornea, and subsequently to loss of vision.

The use of drugs such as "artificial tear"

The easiest way to manage dry eye is to use tear replacement medications. They prevent drying out, and although they do not fundamentally solve the problem, since they do not eliminate the cause, they help to avoid the negative consequences associated with drying out the cornea.

As an example, here are three new artificial tear preparations.

Cationorm

This drug is a unique cationic emulsion for moisturizing the ocular surface, capable of restoring all layers of the tear film. If you use the drug in the morning, your eyes will be protected from dryness and discomfort all day. It is important that taking Cationorm stops the progression of dry eye syndrome. Advantages are no preservatives and can be used when worn contact lenses, even if they are worn constantly (more than 6 months in a row, more than 5 days a week, more than 10 hours a day).

Who is Cationorm shown to:

• people with severe dry eye syndrome associated with professional activities;
• people who experience discomfort and dry eyes in the morning;
• people receiving hormone replacement therapy;
• people with eye diseases in which there are problems with the lacrimal fluid (allergic conjunctivitis, blepharitis, glaucoma, etc.).

Oftagel

Eye gel containing the highest concentration of carbomer. Its advantage is that there is no need to often bury the eyes; it is enough to apply it once a day at night. This dose is enough to effectively moisturize and eliminate lacrimation throughout the day. Suitable for people with periodic manifestations of dry eye syndrome, especially those who do not have the opportunity to regularly drip eye drops.

Okutiars

A preparation in the form of eye drops containing ultra-high molecular weight hyaluronic acid. Effectively eliminates the manifestations of dry eye syndrome, relieves fatigue and discomfort. Its advantages: despite the fact that it does not contain preservatives, it can be stored for 6 months when opened; compatible with contact lenses.

Suitable for:

• people learning to use lenses;
• people who experience eye fatigue and discomfort due to increased eye strain (students, drivers, programmers, etc.) periodically, in the late afternoon;
• patients recovering from ophthalmic operations (corneal surgery, cataract removal, LASIK, photorefractive keratectomy).

YouTube video related to the article:

I worked a lot at the computer. In the past tense, because now I continue to work at the computer, but rarely more than 4 hours.

About two years ago I began to notice that, literally after half an hour of being in front of the monitor, my eyes begin to ache, a feeling of swelling of the eyelids, sand, a veil in front of my eyes, a desire to close my eyes. Of course, I went to the optometrist. It turned out to be dry eye syndrome. The optometrist very calmly told me about this and added that I could drop artificial tears into my eyes. Somehow it even seemed to me that this is not very necessary. And for some reason I decided that this diagnosis was complete nonsense.

But I looked for information on the Internet and I did not like what I found, I even doubted the competence of the ophthalmologist. Here's a quick summary of what I found.

With dry eye syndrome, corneal hydration is impaired, which eventually leads to the development of keratitis, keratoconjunctivitis, microerosions and even ulcers in the corneal epithelium and even deep structural changes that threaten the integrity of the eye. After reading this I felt somehow uncomfortable. I am only 41 years old, I still have to work and work, and, after all, quite a long time at the computer.

And in general, why do I suddenly have a dry eye, if tears stand out very easily and against the background of unpleasant sensations in the eyes, they are easily moisturized? It turned out that compensatory overestimated lacrimation may be a protective reflex at the initial signs of the disease.

Certainly, causes development dry eye syndrome - not only a long stay at the computer, but also A-vitamin deficiency, long-term use of some drugs(For example, oral contraceptives women), violation metabolic processes in the body, autoimmune and endocrine diseases, etc. This disease of civilization is recorded in 9-18% of the population of developed countries of the world and in almost every second person who visits an ophthalmologist. It is more common in women and in old age, as well as in smokers, when wearing contact persons, after corneal surgery.

Why does the computer have such a negative effect on vision? Working behind any display leads to a significant decrease in the frequency of blinking movements and increased evaporation of the tear film.

Prevention measures dry eye syndrome when working at a computer:
1. Correctly organize the workplace:
- adequate lighting to soften the glare of the monitor,
- moderate screen brightness,
- placing the computer away from sources of heat or ventilation,
- optimal air humidity in the working room,
2. The monitor screen should be located at a distance of 50-70 cm from the eyes, the center of the screen 10 degrees below the user's eyes, ie. look at the screen from top to bottom.
3. You need to try to blink as often as possible while working at the computer, periodically close your eyes for a few seconds, take breaks from work for 5 minutes every 30-45 minutes of work, during which you do a couple of eye exercises, look into the distance, at green color, in general, give your eyes a break.
4. Even if the doctor has not diagnosed you with dry eye syndrome and nothing else bothers you, for prevention, you should use tear substitutes 3-4 times a day for a long time.

Treatment... Depends on the cause and severity of the disease.

It also tells about the principles of choosing artificial tears: with a mild course, liquid forms of artificial tears are recommended, for example, Artelak up to 6 times a day, with more severe course- gel-like, for example, Vidisik gel 2-4 times a day. It is important that artificial tears are free of preservatives!

Here is a list of "artificial tears" without preservatives or with a small amount of them that can be used for dry eye syndrome (it is better, of course, that they are prescribed to you by an optometrist):

1. Hilo-Chest of drawers

2. Hilozar-Chest of drawers

3. Wet-Chest of Drawers

4. Hylobak

6. Wizmed multi

7. Wizmed gel

Personal experience.I started dripping Italian artificial tears containing Oksial hyaluronic acid. I saw vitamins for the eyes of Visio balance (I saw a month, a month - a break). It dripped often and for a long time - almost a year. Not only was there no result, but the discomfort continued to grow. And in some article on the Internet (unfortunately, I can't find it now) I read that the constant use of artificial tears can even increase dry eyes.

Thought what to do? I can't give up on the computer. I use computer glasses anyway. The drops do not help, however, I used only one drug, but after its ineffectiveness for some reason I did not want to spend money on another. And, by the way, when a year later I again visited the ophthalmologist (already in another clinic), she herself said that drugs with artificial tears can be dripped, of course, but it does very little help. This ophthalmologist advised the drug restasis, which, in the initial manifestations of dry eye syndrome, can, she says, restore its own function of the lacrimal gland. I advised you to drip it for at least 4 months. I do not seem to mind, but the drug costs about 1000 hryvnia (more than $ 110), enough for a month, you can try to stretch it for a longer period, but you still need at least 3 bottles - more than $ 300. And the result is not guaranteed. While I think.

I am a supporter of various non-traditional methods of treatment. Including, I do not disdain urinotherapy for external use. Since childhood, I know how well it helps with burns, if used immediately after an incident. So I thought, since it helps the skin to heal, why doesn't it help the cornea? And she began to rinse her eyes with morning urine (always from a medium stream, so as not to infect an infection; do not use the method in the presence of inflammatory diseases Bladder, kidneys, urethra, external genital organs). What's funny is that it helped the first time.

It has been three months since I have been using this method. I am satisfied. I will not say that the eyes have completely stopped hurting and tired, but the sensations have decreased by more than 50%. And on those days when I take breaks every 30 minutes, and spend 2-3 minutes working on my eyes, the sensations are even less. I especially "like" my eyes when I close my eyes tightly. I do it in series: 10 close my eyes, 10 seconds often blink, repeat up to 100 close my eyes. My eyes also like palming (close my eyes with my hands so that it is absolutely dark, and sit with my eyes closed as much as you can, trying not to think about pressing problems at this time, but focus on the fact that there is an absolutely black background in front of my eyes) and solarization (stand up in front of the window on the border of the shadow, substituting closed eyes to the sun, and turn your head, moving your eyes from the dense shadow under the sun).

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Dry eye syndrome - pretty frequent problem in ophthalmology associated with dry eyes. Due to the fact that a feeling of dryness in the eyes develops in almost all persons whose work is associated with constant stay at the monitor, this syndrome is called office conjunctivitis.

Mechanism of hydration of the eyeball

On the surface of the eye there is a transparent protective film that covers the cornea and consists of three layers:

The thickness of the tear film does not exceed 10 micrometers. Approximately every 10 sec. it renews itself and initiates the blinking of the eyelids. It is the disturbances in the tear film that cause dry eye syndrome.

Causes of dry eyes

Often, the causes of dry eye syndrome are:

But sometimes, the reasons can be more serious:

The risk group consists of the following categories of persons:

• Office workers staying at the monitor for more than 6 hours a day;
• Residents of megalopolises and other settlements with polluted air;
• Mountain dwellers;
• People over forty;
• Women during pregnancy and menopause.

Classification

Depending on the pathogenesis (development mechanism), dry eye syndrome is:

• Due to the reduced secretion of lacrimal fluid;
• Due to increased evaporation of lacrimal fluid;
• Combined.

Depending on the etiology (origin), the syndrome is divided into:

• Symptomatic, that is, arising against the background of some kind of disease;
• Syndromic, that is, arising on its own;
• Artifactic, that is, it has developed due to unfavorable environmental conditions (dry air, etc.).

There are three degrees of severity of the syndrome: light, medium and heavy.

Dry eye symptoms

Dry eye symptoms can manifest in different ways:

Over time, a person develops corneal-conjunctival xerosis(drying out of the conjunctiva and cornea). Its course can be divided into three degrees of severity:

1. Easy flow... It is characterized by hyperlacrimia, that is, increased production of lacrimal fluid;
2. Moderate course... The production of tear fluid is completely stopped. The eyes dry up, the conjunctiva swells and can "creep" onto the free edge of the lower eyelid. After a while, it sticks to the eyelid and shifts during blinking;
3. Heavy course... It is characterized by the addition of the following complications:

• Dry . With it, deep organic tissue changes are observed. The eyes lose their luster over time, the eyelid sticks together even more with the conjunctiva;
• Filamentous. It is characterized by multiple epithelial growths on the cornea. Inflammatory process not very developed;
• Recurrent corneal erosion. Manifested by microscopic ulcers on the surface of the cornea. After their healing, dense areas of the epithelium remain, bringing additional discomfort to a person.

Often, against the background of dry eye syndrome, blepharitis develops.

These symptoms become more pronounced in the evening, as well as during a person's stay in the cold, in the wind or in a dry room.

Sometimes dry eye syndrome has mild symptoms.

Sometimes dry eye syndrome occurs in an erased form, that is, with mild symptoms. The danger of such a condition is that if assistance is not provided in a timely manner, a person may permanently lose his sight. Therefore, when the first symptoms appear, you should immediately contact a specialist.

Diagnosis of the disease

Often one examination is enough for diagnosis, during which the doctor assesses the condition of the skin of the eyelids, mucous membranes, the frequency of blinking and the tightness of the closure of the eyelids.

Biomicroscopy of the eyeballs allows you to analyze the condition of the tear film, conjunctiva and cornea.

It is possible to assess the strength of the tear film and measure the thickness of its lipid layer using tiascopy. This method is an examination of the eye in polarized light.

There are several functional tests that help assess the condition of the tear film:

Moreover, exists laboratory methods diagnosing dry eye syndrome... Lacrimal fluid smears are made, crystallography is performed, and osmolarity is determined.

Dry eye treatment

Dry eye treatment has several goals:

• Artificially restore the reserves of tear fluid;
• Stimulate the production of tear fluid;
• Reduce evaporation from the surface of the tear film;
• Restore the patency of the lacrimal canals.

Tear substitutes are used to moisturize the eyeball and restore the tear film(artificial tear preparations). They act on the mucous and watery layers of the tear film.

Depending on the viscosity, all dry eye drops (with dry eye syndrome) are divided into three groups:

• Preparations for dry eyes with low viscosity:,;
• Medium viscosity formulations: lacrisin;
• High viscosity preparations:,.

The choice of the drug depends on the severity of the disease. With a mild course, they are limited to drops of low viscosity, and with a moderate and severe course, it will be necessary to use high-viscosity preparations in the form of eye gels for dryness. They are laid behind the lower eyelid and, thanks to blinking movements, are evenly distributed over the entire surface of the eye. It is imperative that you remove your contact lenses before using the drugs.

How to treat dry eye syndrome if it is complicated by joining bacterial infection: use eye ointment with or. They must be pawned behind the eyelid before bedtime.

Surgical treatment of dry eye syndrome

In this case, the liquid accumulates in the area of ​​the outer corner of the eye and adequately moisturizes the eye. Clogging is done with special plugs, which can be easily removed later. Despite its simplicity, this procedure can significantly improve the patient's condition.

In addition to obturation with plugs, the following types of interventions can be used:

These techniques increase the flow of tear fluid, limit its outflow and evaporation., as well as help to cope with possible complications- perforation and xerotic corneal ulcer.

Treatment of dry eye syndrome with folk remedies

How to get rid of dry eyes at home: For treatment, you can use the following folk remedies:

Prophylaxis

Now you know how to cure dry eye syndrome. But like any disease, dry eyes are easier to prevent than cure. Preventive measures include the following components: