Dry eye syndrome (DES) is not a disease. As such, there is no real ‘cure’ for it either. However, some people have recurring DES, which means they do want to find something that helps them at least manage the symptoms. However, there is no one blanket treatment for all occasions of dry eye. This is because there are also different reasons for DES to occur.
Causes of Dry Eye
There are three main recognized causes of dry eye, which are:
1. An insufficient production of tears
2. Insufficient levels of oil in the tears, meaning the tears evaporate too quickly
3. An underlying medical condition
Because of the third cause of dry eye, it is very important that you don’t simply decide to self-medicate. You must always check with a medical professional whether your DES is symptomatic of something else, which would then need to be treated. They may also provide you with prescription medication for the dry eye.
One other cause to consider for dry eye is that it is simply your environment. You may live somewhere, for instance, where the air is very dry. Or perhaps there is very little humidity in your room or office. Do always try, therefore, to place a humidifier in your living spaces, your bedroom and your office.
Dry eye lubricants are some of the most common treatment options for DES. They come in a variety of different options, each with their own pros and cons. Let’s take a closer look.
Lubricant Eye Treatments
There are three main types of lubricant eye treatments, which are:
1. Gels
2. Drops
3. Ointments
All three are often known under the blanket term of ‘artificial tears’ because the goal for them is to replace the tears that should be present in the eye. However, none of these lubricants contain nutrients, vitamins or antibodies, which is what you find in tears. This means that they provide relief, but they will not cure any underlying issue. Some, however, are only available on prescription and they tend to be stronger and some will also contain some medicated elements.
Prescription Drops/Ointments Versus Over the Counter Drops/Ointments
There are two types of ointments and drops, being prescription (Rx) and over the counter (OTC) drops and ointments. Both have a number of pros and cons, as the table below shows.
| Pros | Cons | |
| Over the Counter | · Enable people to self-medicate
· Cheaper |
· Many different types available, which means you may have to try a few before finding one that works.
· Danger of missing a more serious underlying issue because you self-medicate. · Some drops are decongestants, which work on red eyes, not dry eyes, and it is easy to get confused. These drops can make dry eye worse. |
| Prescription | · Stronger than OTC options
· Sometimes also have medicated elements |
· Expensive
· May interact with other drugs |
The OTC drops are designed to provide people with short term relief. They are most suitable for people, for instance, who work behind a computer all day, or who work outside in windy or sunny conditions. Usually, these drops have elements of tears in them (either the watery component or the oily component) and they will help the eye to be more moist, and thereby, increase comfort.
If, after using OTC drops, you don’t notice an improvement, it is very important to visit a medical professional to see if there is an Rx option that is better for you. They may also look at providing you with plugs, which will stop tears from draining away. Additionally, they will be able to identify whether there is another issue at the root of the problem.
Types of Drops
There are a number of different types of drops, both in terms of OTC and Rx. The table below highlights their individual features.
| Type of Drop | Pros | Cons | Features |
| Preservative-free drops | · Do not contain preservatives, so don’t damage your health or the environment.
· Most suitable for people with severe dry eye |
· Not as strong
· More expensive |
· Best for people who use the drops more than six times per day
· Recommended for people who wear contacts |
| Oily tear eye drops | · Help to reduce tear evaporation
· Available as OTC. |
· Can leave a residue on the outside of the eye | · Different types exist such as liposomal sprays and guar gums
· Sprayed on the outside of the eye · Most suitable for people with blepharitis |
| Eye Ointments | · Perfect for people who don’t like to put things inside their eyes | · Not suitable for people who wear contact lenses | · Used overnight while you sleep, as they make your vision go blurry |
There have been a number of cases in which people have said that the dry eye lubricants that they have used have not worked. They claim to have tried different types of eye drops and ointments, yet the symptoms persisted. If that is the case with you, it is very important to seek medical advice. However, it is equally important to check that you actually use the drops properly.
To use eye drops properly you must:
1. Wash your hands properly, using water and an anti-bacterial soap.
2. Shake the container of drops.
3. Slightly tilt back your head.
4. Pull the lower eyelid out, on the side closest to your nose.
5. Open your eyes and look up.
6. Squeeze a single drop in each eye.
7. Keep your eyes closed, without squeezing them, for a minute or two, so the content of the drop can distribute properly. Don’t blink at that point.
8. Press on the inner part of your eye, next to your nose, while your eyes are closed.
A few other things to remember:
• Make sure that there is at least 5 minutes between each application of drops or ointment. If you feel that you have to use the product more often than that, or if, after a few days, you still have to use it as often, you need to speak to a medical professional.
• Don’t use drops or ointment that is out of date.
• Take out your contact lenses before you apply drops or ointment. Check whether you can wear contacts after application or not.
• Store your drops properly, according to instructions. Usually, keeping them in the fridge is a great way to add an extra bit of comfort.
• You may get a funny taste at the back of your throat a few minutes after applying the drops.
Resources and References:
Dry Eyes – How to choose artificial tears for dry eyes. (Mayo Clinic)
Dry Eyes – Causes and treatment of dry eyes. (WebMD)
Consumer Guide to Eye Lubricants – Information on eye lubricants for treating dry eyes. (Dry Eye Zone)
