Dry eyes

Dry eyes are caused by an imbalance in the tear film, tear production or tear drainage.
The tear film ensures that the eye remains moist. Every time we blink, the tear film is refreshed. The tear film contributes to a healthy eye, good vision and comfort. Blinking keeps our eye clean, dust and bacteria are washed out of the eye and infections are prevented.

The tear glands are located on the outside above the eye. Tear glands produce tear fluid. Excess tear fluid is drained by the tear drainage.

Droge ogen komen relatief vaak voor. Naar schatting heeft ongeveer tien procent van de veertig- en vijftigjarigen in meer of mindere mate last van droge ogen. Dit aantal ligt hoger bij 65-plussers. Vrouwen hebben hier vaker last van dan mannen.

Symptoms

• Een droog, branderig, stekend of drukkend gevoel in het oog
• Excessive tearing (The tear gland produces extra tears to resolve the irritation)
• Changing vision
• Varying prescription

Causes

People are more likely to suffer from dry eyes if:

• Insufficient or incomplete blinking (often when reading or working at a screen)
• A dry or warm ambient air (air conditioning, heating)
• A change in hormone balance
• Systemic diseases or a thyroid disorder
• An irregular cornea

Wat kan eraan gedaan worden?

There are several ways to combat dry eyes. Solutions can include:

• Advice for (minor) behavioral adjustments
• Artificial tears (drops, gel or ointment)
• Switching to a different type of contact lens
• Aanpassing van de voeding
• Medicatie, in overleg met een oogarts