The dryness of our eyes, which are our windows to the world, can lead to serious consequences
if left untreated. People with dry eyes experience burning and stinging in their eyes, itching, sticky secretion, wind discomfort, excessive watering and difficulty in using contact lenses. If there are no tears to provide lubrication in the eye, the eye will be disturbed and stimulated. Thus, excessive tear secretion occurs and the eye becomes watery. Tears are produced in two ways: basic secretion and reflex secretion. Basic secretion occurs through auxiliary tear glands
and provides the tear requirement of the cornea and conjunctiva. Reflex secretion occurs as a result of the stimulation of the main tear gland by some stimuli (yawning, vomiting, coughing, excessive light, conjunctivitis, keratitis, iritis, rhinitis). Production may decrease with age. It can occur at any age
but is more common in women. It is more common in women, especially after menopause. Use of prosthetics such as contact
lenses, laser eye surgeries, exposure to intense light, air-conditioned or heated environments, using computers or watching TV for long periods of time, rheumatic diseases, diabetes and heart
diseases, eye diseases. High blood pressure, not blinking for a long time, low humidity and airless environments can cause dry eyes. Some medications can cause dry eyes. Some of these are heart medications, urine enhancing drugs, blood pressure medications, glaucoma medications, sleeping pills, allergy medications. Patients with dry eye complaints should
inform their doctor about the medications they use. An ophthalmologist can easily diagnose dry eye by examination.
There are different treatment methods for dry eye. Artificial tears can be used, if this is not enough
bandage contact lenses can be used. If these are not sufficient, a plug is placed in the tear duct.
Additionally, medications taken orally in the form of capsules that increase tear production and support ocular surface health
can also be used.
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