Environmental Conditions Can Aggravate Dry Eye

Environmental Conditions Can Aggravate Dry Eye

Submitted by Griffin Eye Center

Eyes can be aggravated by such environmental conditions as air blasting from the vents in cars, offices and homes, winds whipping at our faces and even wet, moldy spaces. Whether it's dry eye, allergies or other aggravating eye conditions, your eye care provider can provide relief.

What is dry eye? Dry eye is a cornea disease that results from the eye’s reduced ability to produce tears or produce poor quality tears.

There are two types of dry eye:

1.       Aqueous tear-deficient dry eye is a disorder in which the lacrimal glands fail to produce enough of the watery component of tears to maintain a healthy eye surface.

2.       Inflammation of the meibomian glands. These glands make the lipid part of tears that slows evaporation and keeps the tears stable.

In addition, inflammation of the surface of the eye may occur along with dry eye. If left untreated, this condition can lead to pain, ulcers, or scars on the cornea, and some loss of vision.

Dry eye symptoms according to the National Eye Institute include:

• Stinging or burning eyes

• A sandy or gritty feeling in the eye

• A stringy discharge from the eye

• Pain and redness of the eye

• Episodes of blurred vision

• Heavy eyelids

• Inability to cry when emotionally stressed

• Discomfort wearing contact lenses, depending on the style and fit

• Decreased tolerance of reading, working on the computer, or any activity that requires sustained visual attention

• Eye fatigue

• Episodes of excess tears following very dry eye periods

Irritation from dry eye comes from a lack of lubrication, which exposes the nerves on the cornea. Therefore, any change in temperature, humidity or elevation can increase symptoms of redness, burning, itching and irritation.

If dry eye is making you miserable and or have vision problems, then make an appointment with your eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam to find out more about what is causing your dry eye. There may be a treatment that can provide the relief you have been seeking.

About Griffin Eye Center
At Griffin Eye Center, Neil B. Griffin, M.D., specializes in cataract, LASIK and corneal surgery. He is board certified by American Board of Ophthalmology and fellowship trained in cornea and external eye diseases. Griffin Eye Center has been recognized as a Dry Eye Center of Excellence. If you’re one of the nearly 5 million Americans with dry eyes and would like more information on dry eye, visit griffineyecenter.com or schedule an appointment at 843-449-6414.