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One of the most common causes of eye dryness is the
normal aging process. Dry eye symptoms also can be triggered by
environmental factors including low humidity environments (such as
airplanes, deserts, high altitudes, and windy climates), indoor heating
and air conditioning, and exposure to cigarette smoke. Poor blinking
habits coupled with prolonged computer use or reading can result in pain
and irritation in eyes.
In addition, certain diseases and medications can lead to severe dry eye.
Over 10 million Americans suffer from Dry Eye Syndrome, a chronic
condition that can impact the way they live and sleep. According to
Sjogren’s Syndrome Foundation, about 4 million Americans suffer from
Sjogren’s syndrome, a chronic, autoimmune disease characterized by dry
eyes, dry mouth and arthritis. Many other diseases such as rheumatoid
arthritis, lupus, scleroderma and thyroid disease can also cause severe
dry eye. And many medications inhibit tear production including
antihistamines, antidepressants, oral contraceptives and some heart
medications.
People who wear contact lenses have an increased risk
of developing Dry Eye Syndrome, as contact lenses absorb the tear film
and increase the evaporation of tears. There is no cure for dry eye. If
left unattended, dry eye can lead to scarring of the cornea and even
vision loss. Your eye doctor can recommend treatments to relieve your
symptoms.
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Dry Eyes: Symptoms
It is important to visit your eye doctor if you
experience dry eye symptoms which include:
Itching
Burning
Irritation
Redness
Blurred vision that improves with blinking
Excessive tearing
Increased discomfort after periods of reading, watching TV, or using a
computer
When visiting your doctor, be specific about the type of discomfort you
experienced or are experiencing, the time of day you experience them, and
whether they are aggravated by certain activities. Your doctor can help
you determine the causes and the severity of dry eye symptoms, as well as
recommend the best treatments for you.
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Dry eye is a result of a reduction in the quality or
quantity of natural tears. Insufficient tear production can lead to
irritation, pain, and scarring of the cornea (the front covering of your
eye).
Tears are essential to the health of our eyes. Tears
moisturize, lubricate, nourish and clean the eye. The moisture prevents
the cornea from drying, while the lubrication makes blinking smooth and
comfortable. Tears also provide nourishment to the eye by supplying
oxygen and removing carbon dioxide. Tears wash away foreign particles and
help protect the eye from infection. Without adequate tears, the cornea
can become damaged, which can lead to pain, blurred vision, and even
blindness.
Tears are comprised of 3 components, oil, mucus (also
called mucin) and watery tears. The innermost layer of tears is the mucus
layer which coats the surface of the cornea and allows the tear film to
adhere to the eye. The middle layer is the watery tears which provide
moisture and supply oxygen and other nutrients to the cornea. The outer
layer is composed of oil that seals the tear film and slows the
evaporation of tears from the surface of the eye.
Tears are formed in several glands around the eye. The
watery tears are produced in the lacrimal gland, while several smaller
glands produce the oil and mucus layers. With each blink, the eyelids
sweep tears across the eye. Excess tears flow into drainage ducts.
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Unlike other treatments, tranquileyes eye hydrating
therapy is non-invasive, preserves natural tears, and promotes eye
health. How? In a word, humidity.
The oily lipid layer on the outside of the tear film
acts to preserve natural tears and spread them evenly across the eye,
keeping them well-moistened.
As we age, our bodies produce less oils and therefore the oily lipid
layer starts to thin.
Thinning of the lipid layer makes it harder on the eyes to hold tears and
protect from evaporation.
The evaporation rate of natural tears in a dry eye can be four times as
high as a normal eye."(1)
Evaporation rate of natural tears decreases when relative humidity
increases."(2)
Significant changes occur in tear film lipid layer thickness following
alterations in humidity of the periocular environment. Increased humidity
results in a thickening of the lipid layer and a concurrent relief of dry
eye symptoms both during period of exposures and hours after. "(3)
If evaporation can be controlled and returned to normal levels in
patients with low tear flow, the eye might be able to maintain healthier
tear osmolarity despite the low flow
tranquileyes provides immediate and long lasting relief from dry,
irritated eyes. It restores moisture by increasing humidity around the
eyes which prevents the evaporation of natural tears. The increased
humidity also improves eye health by the thickening the lipid layer and
restoring the eye’s defense against evaporation.
1. “Ocular Evaporation in Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
and Dry Eye”
William Mathers, MD - Ophthalmology Volume 100, Number 3, March 1995
2. “Effect of Periocular Humidity on the Tear Film
Lipid Layer” Donald R. Korb, O.D., Jack V. Greiner, MD, Ph.D, Thomas
Glonk, Ph.D, Roya Esbah, O.D., Victor M. Finnemore, O.D., and Amy C.
Whalen, B.A. , Cornea Vol. 15. No. 2 1996
3. “Tear Flow and Evaporation in Patients with and
without Dry Eye” William D. Mathers, MD, Thomas E. Daley, MS,
Ophthalmology Volume 103, Number 4, April 1996.
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Dry eye is caused by multiple factors. Some of the
factors that cause and contribute to dry eyes include:
Natural Aging
Excessive contact lens use
LASIK Surgery
Infrequent or incomplete blinking associated with prolonged computer use
Low humidity environments such airplanes, dry, windy conditions, hot or
cold climates, indoor heating or A/C
Irritants such as smoke or dust
Allergies
Certain diseases like Sjogren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus
Bletharitis (inflammation of the eyelids)
Hormonal changes experienced during pregnancy and post menopause
Medications such as antihistamines, antidepressants, oral contraceptives
and some heart medications
The most common cause of severe dry eye is the normal aging process. Over
time, your body produces less oil – 60% less at age 65 than at age 18.
With less oil to seal the watery layer, the tear film evaporates much
faster, leaving eyes feeling dry, gritty, and irritated. According to
some estimates, as many as 75% of people over age 65 will experience
severe dry eye.
People who wear contact lenses have an increased risk
of developing Dry Eye Syndrome, as contact lenses absorb the tear film
and increase the evaporation of tears. Dry eye symptoms also can be
triggered by environmental factors including low humidity environments
(such as airplanes, deserts, high altitudes, and windy climates), indoor
heating and air conditioning, and exposure to cigarette smoke. Poor
blinking habits coupled with prolonged computer use or reading can result
in pain and irritation in eyes.
In addition, certain diseases and medications can lead
to severe dry eye. According to Sjogren’s Syndrome Foundation, about 4
million Americans suffer from Sjogren’s syndrome, a chronic, autoimmune
disease characterized by dry eyes, dry mouth and arthritis. Many other
diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma and thyroid
disease can also cause severe dry eye. And many medications inhibit tear
production including antihistamines, antidepressants, oral contraceptives
and some heart medications.
There is no cure for dry eye. If left unattended, dry
eye can lead to scarring of the cornea and even vision loss.
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For more information on dry eyes and using tranquileyes
along with other dry
eye products for relief, we highly recommend the new book by Dr. Robert
Latkany: "The Dry Eye Remedy".
For more information on Dry Eyes visit:
American Academy of Ophthalmology (www.aao.org)
National Eye Institute (www.nei.nih.gov)
Schepens Eye Research Institute (www.eri.harvard.edu)
Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation (www.sjogrens.org)
The Boston Foundation for Sight (www.bostonsight.org)
The Dry Eye Zone (www.dryeyezone.com)
American Optometric Association (www.aoanet.org)
American Society of Ocular Trauma (www.asotonline.org)
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