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Sore dry eyes
If your eyes feel tired, sore or gritty, you may have 'dry eyes'.
This is a common problem in diabetes. They may feel 'scratchy' or gritty', as though there
is something in them. They also be a little itchy, and they may be red.
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Where are tears made?
Tears are made in a gland near the eyeball, and spread over the
front of the eyeball, into tear ducts, and then down into the nose.
'Dry eyes' occur when there are not enough tears to keep your eyes
lubricated, or the tears that are produced do not spread evenly across the eyes. |
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Tears are
normally made in the lacrimal gland (top left), and flow over the surface of the eye. They
run down tiny tear ducts into the nose. |
| Normally eyes are covered with a thin invisible film of
tears; the tears are the lubricating 'oil' of the eye surface. |
Side view of the eye covered with a
thin layer of tears |
 Front
view of the eye covered with a thin layer of tears |
| If you have dry eyes the tears do not
spread evenly over the eyes' surface, and the eyes feels sore. |
Side view: dry eyes or poorly
spreading tears |
 Front
view: dry eyes or poorly spreading tears |
Sometimes even if the eyes are dry your eyes may feel
as though they 'water'; there may be enough tears, but the tears do not spread properly.
The poor spreading makes the eyes sore, and this makes them water.
There are less tears at night, so the eye may be sore and a little sticky in the morning.
Having a slightly dry eye does not damage your eye in anyway, but only makes them feel
uncomfortable.Blepharitis
In this condition there is a problem with the eyelids ..... the
glands in the eyelids block and become slightly inflamed. These tiny glands normally make
chemicals that help the tears to spread evenly across the surface of the eye.
But when the glands block they do not produce these chemicals, and
so the tears do not spread evenly. This makes the eyes sore.
This is 'blepharitis', and your ophthalmologist can advise if you
have this condition. It is usually not at all serious, and various treatments may help.
What makes dry eyes more uncomfortable?
Your eyes may feel more sore in the wind, or any dry hot atmosphere.
Contact lenses, or any thing that reduces blinking may make 'dry eyes' more uncomfortable,
such as watching TV or a computer screen, or sewing.
What treatment is there for 'dye eye' (or poorly spreading tears')?
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slightly
dry eyes
moderately dry
severely dry |
drops in bottles or gels
gels (Gel tears or viscotears)
'Minims' artificial tears, gels,
ointments, or occlude tear ducts (minor surgery), |
Tear drop preparations-in bottles
These are simple salt solutions with added ingredients which help
them spread across the eye. They make the eye more comfortable by lubricating the surface,
but the effect does not last all that long.
There are many types: different drops may suit different eyes, so try different types.
They are not very effective over night, and the eyes may be uncomfortable when you wake
up. They are generally best used four times a day or less. If your eyes remain sore, try
drops without preservative as below. Examples include 'Liquifilm', 'Tears naturale',
'Hypromellose', and 'Sno-tears'. |
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Eye gel preparations
There are two types: 'Gel tears' and 'Viscotears'. These are
relatively new products, and are the most useful. They last longer than drops, do
not cause misty vision, and can be used at bedtime as they last partly through the night. |
Eye ointments
These products are much thicker and greasier than eye drops. They
stay in the eye much longer; try using them last thing at night.
During the day they may cause misty vision. Examples include 'Simple' eye ointment, and
'Lacrilube'.
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Tear drop preparations-without
preservatives
These are particularly useful for people with very dry eyes. Because
they have no preservative they can be used more often, even every half-hour, without
damaging your eyes. One example is 'Minims' tears: the ampoules (mini-bottles)
contain about 14 drops, and may last a day wtih practice. They are moderately expensive. |
Summary of dry eye treatment
To make your eyes comfortable you need to replenish the
natural tear film that protects the surface of your eyes. There is no magic 'cure'.
Four types of products are available, and all are harmless: they do not contain any drugs,
merely 'oiling' the surface of the eye.
Try the different products out. Your doctor can prescribe the products, and they can also
be bought at pharmacies without a prescription. |
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