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Frequently Asked Questions
Dry and Tearing Eyes
Dry and tearing eyes.
As we age, the quality and the amount of protective tear film on the surface
of the eye diminish, leaving the eyes exposed to the drying effects of
air, wind, dust and sun. The patient complains of eyes burning, stinging
or having a gritty eye sensation, which may come and go. Occasionally
long strings of mucus can be stretched from the eye. Increased sensitivity
to light may be present. Symptoms are often worse in the afternoon and
evenings. Dry weather, dry indoors air during the winter heating season,
wind, fumes, cigarette smoke and dust in the air aggravate symptoms. Because
we blink less often when we read, and particularly when we concentrate
and stare at the computer screen, these activities may make symptoms worse.
Although there is no permanent cure for lack of tears, treatment helps
most people. Correcting the environment (e.g. reducing room temperature,
moist chamber goggles) helps. Humidifiers may be helpful but are often
disappointing because the average humidifier is not strong enough to adequately
increase the humidity of an average size room. Protective glasses may
help against wind. Non-prescription artificial tears soothe the eyes and
give temporary relief, but have to be used at frequent intervals. Ointments
last longer, but blur the vision. Insertion of plugs in the tear-draining
canal is a painless in-office procedure that prevents tears from draining
away.
Some people with similar symptoms have no problems making tears. Indeed,
they complain that their eyes are constantly watering. The problem is
that the tears do not have the right chemical composition and, because
of it, cannot do the job right.
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