Anyone with dry eyes may wonder whether a treatment can cure it.
Unfortunately, the answer is no; there is no such magic bullet yet.
However, there are various ways to effectively control this chronic condition.
Karl Tapales / Getty Images
The suggestions ahead can make a big difference in your symptoms and your day-to-day experience with dry eye.
Karl Tapales / Getty Images
Dry Eyes: What’s Permanent?
Dry eyeoccurs if the tear film is inadequate.
Thetear filmis the natural layer of oil, water, and mucus that coats the surface.
If caught early, damage to the eye’s surface can generally be reversed.
This usually involves some loss of protective epithelial cells on the surface, which can regrow.
The two main types of artificial tears are those with preservatives to prevent bacterial growth and preservative-free drops.
But if the condition becomes more severe, these may no longer be sufficient.
You may have to turn instead to thicker gels or ointments that keep the tears on the surface longer.
Since these are thicker, they may blur your vision.
So, make a run at use these at bedtime.
Talk to your healthcare practitioner about autologous tears.
This serum is made from your blood and combined with saline.
This may include using one or more of the following treatments.
These drops can help keep inflammation in check and increase tear production.
Another drop to consider is Xiidra (lifitegrast), which reduces inflammation differently than cyclosporine.
Minimize Triggers
Dry eye is one of those conditions that predictable factors can set off.
Or, they may suggestsurgeryto reduce drainage by the tear ducts permanently.
One method may involve using warm compresses on your lids to help liquify the oil from your glands.
Another may involve massaging your lids and scrubbing the lashline with special cleaners.
This works in effect as a liquid punctal plug.
The new ointment, AZR-MD-OO1, prevents proteins from clogging the oil glands.
Prescription products are available and in development.
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NYU Langone Health.Diagnosing dry eye syndrome.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Choosing the best lubricant eye drops for dry eyes.
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American Academy of Ophthalmology.Remedies to reduce dry eye symptoms.
Assil Gaur Eye Institute of Los Angeles.Introducing ASEDs: dry eye drops derived from your own blood.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Improved dry eye drugs for 2022 and beyond.
Mount Sinai.Dry eye syndrome.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is dry eye?
Symptoms, causes and treatment.
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