Dripping in dry eyes often without effect

Non-prescription drops do not remedy the cause of dry eye

07/05/2013

Dry eyes are usually characterized by redness, burning and a foreign body sensation in the eye. Many then resort to over-the-counter drops to moisturize the eyes. To get to the root cause of dry eyes, sufferers should consult their ophthalmologist. Frequently, the viewing habits of the patients lead to dryness. However, the complaints can also be based on a serious illness. According to the professional association of ophthalmologists in Germany, about 15 million people in Germany suffer from dry eyes.

widespread disease „Dry eyes“
If the eyes are reddened, sensitive to light, burning, and feel like a foreign object is under the eyelid, the eyes are too dry. The complaints are also summarized under the so-called sicca syndrome. „About every fifth patient who comes into the practice suffers, "says Professor Gerd Geerling, head of the Eye Clinic at the University Hospital Dusseldorf, told the news agency „dpa“. But often patients do not go to the doctor but to the pharmacy. „You have to pay eye drops yourself. The specialist usually has long appointment waiting times. Since the corridor is directly in the pharmacy close, "said Georg Eckert of the professional association of ophthalmologists Germany the News Agency.Although the pharmacist could not make a diagnosis, but „You can not do anything dramatically wrong with over-the-counter funds, "explains Geerling. „The only thing that can happen is that the remedy does not help. "

However, people with dry eyes should consult an ophthalmologist. This is especially true when the complaints persist. In the context of ophthalmological examinations the cause can be determined and treated. For example, dry eyes may appear as a side effect of a drug. Then often enough already an alternative preparation to relieve the complain.

If the eyes are dry, use oily drops by working on the screen
„The most common causes are environmental factors such as bad air, drafts, air conditioners or VDU work, "says Ursula Sellerberg of the Federal Association of German Pharmacist Associations in Berlin told the news agency „Office Eye Syndrome“ By regular screen breaks, fresh air and a different orientation of the workplace can already achieve a significant improvement. The professional association of ophthalmologists Germany advises also to oil-containing tear substitutes that stabilize the tear film.

„When working on the screen or when watching TV, the problem is the monotonous, concentrated view. One forgets easily to blink, "says Eckert, where the eyelid only beats once or twice a minute instead of the usual ten to fifteen times, so that the tears can no longer be distributed properly Conjunctiva and the cornea are no longer sufficiently nourished and protected. „The tear film moisturizes the ocular surface and provides the cells with oxygen and nutrients, "explains Geerling, while also transporting foreign bodies, bacteria and dirt out of the eye and smoothing the cornea for sharp vision.

If the eyelid is closed too seldom only because of the viewing habits, sufferers should „occasionally look out the window or close your eyes, "recommends Eckert.

The tear film can be disturbed
Ophthalmologists use the biomicroscope to examine whether the function of the eyelids is negatively affected. Geerling emphasizes in the interview that even the tear film can be disturbed. But even the tear film itself can be disturbed. "The tear fluid is a complex and thus also susceptible to damage formation of three layers," says the ophthalmologist. The lowest mucin layer, which is relatively slimy, is responsible for the adhesion of the tear fluid to the eye. Above is a larger aqueous layer. This is prevented from drying out by a layer of lipids and fat. All three important elements can be permanently disturbed. So it can happen that eyes too little or too much tear liquid produced or the composition is disturbed.

Screener test examines tear fluid quantity
Ophthalmologists check the volume of tear fluid with the so-called „Schirmer's test“. The doctor places a small piece of paper in the eye and uses a scale to read how well it has been moistened by the tears.

The tear tear time can be measured as it is ordered to the stability and quality of the film. With the help of a slit lamp, the doctor determines the duration between the stroke of the lid and the tear film. For this, the cornea is dyed with a special fabric. By this method, the oil content of the tear film is determined.

If tears are impaired, tears are usually prescribed by the doctor. This happens even if the dry eyes are caused by rheumatism, hyperthyroidism or other diseases. "There are, however, hundreds of drugs, so even I as an ophthalmologist can hardly say that patient A will benefit most from drug B," the specialist is quoted as saying.

The background of the disease ultimately determines the composition of the drug. According to the experience of the doctors, patients then try out several remedies and in most cases find one with which they can cope well.

Drops with preservative only for short-term use
Although the preservatives are usually longer lasting, they can also damage the eyes if used for long periods. Therefore tear substitutes without preservatives in the form of single doses or as so-called Comod system are the better option. The latter possibility has the advantage that the containers are designed so that no pathogens can come into the eye during use. "They are a little harder to use and less suitable for the elderly, for example, because you have to squeeze the bottle with force," says Sellerberg. However, for the handling of all substitutes, the vials should never touch the eyes. „The drops must always be in the eye“. A good tip is to lie on your back and close your eyes. The drops are then gently dropped into the inner corner of the eye. When the eyes are then reopened, the drug spreads in the eye on its own. It is also important not to store the drops in the refrigerator, because then the drops are too tough due to the cold. „After the break-up period, the funds are no longer in the eye but in the household waste!“ (ag, sb)