Dry Eye Syndrome (Keratoconjunctivitis) - Medtick

Dry Eye Syndrome (Keratoconjunctivitis)

What is it?

Where one does not produce enough tears or the quality of tear is a poor allowing it to evaporate quickly causing dry eyes.

  • As a result one is prone to get bacterial, viral conjunctivitis since the eye can’t remove debris easily.
  • It can cause watery eyes but these tears do not have the same lubricating quality as normal tears.
  • In severe cases visual impairment, severe sensitivity to light, red eyes, painful eyes and eye scarring can occur if not treated.

Diagnosis test

Cause

Syndromes

Medication:

Symptoms

(Symptoms can vary)

  • Dry eyes?
  • Sore eyes?
  • Blurred vision?
  • Grit in eyes?
  • Watering eyes (not controlled) when exposed particularly in the wind or hot days (tears evaporate more quickly in these climates)?
  • Sticky discharge causing the eyes to stick together?
  • Slightly painful?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Do not wait, phone for an ambulance if have or develop:

  • A feeling that something is in your eye
  • Blurred vision
  • Blindness
  • Decreased vision
  • Difficulty opening one’s eyelids due to pain and irritation
  • Severe Sensitivity to light
  • Severe eye pain
  • Keratitis

This condition can lead to:

  • Eyelid twitching
  • Pterygium
  • Eye inflammation (red and watery eyes)
  • Corneal abrasion (a scratch on the surface of the eye)
  • Corneal erosion (thinning of the surface of the eye)
  • Corneal infection
  • Scarring of the eyes


Driving

  • One should have routine eye tests at least every two years but if one has concerns one should book an eye test at any point
  • Persons over 40 years should have eye test at least every 2 years and you must tell drivers authority if it affects your driving

Exercise your eyes

Focus change

This exercise works by challenging your focus. It should be done from a seated position.

  • Hold your pointer finger a few inches away from your eye.
  • Focus on your finger.
  • Slowly move your finger away from your face, holding your focus.
  • Look away for a moment, into the distance.
  • Focus on your outstretched finger and slowly bring it back toward your eye.
  • Look away and focus on something in the distance.
  • Repeat three times.

Near and far focus

  • This is another focus exercise.
  • As with the previous one, it should be done from a seated position.
  • Hold your thumb about 10 inches from your face and focus on it for 15 seconds.
  • Find an object roughly 10 to 20 feet away, and focus on it for 15 seconds.
  • Return your focus to your thumb.
  • Repeat five times.

Figure eight

  • This exercise should be done from a seated position as well.
  • Pick a point on the floor about 10 feet in front of you and focus on it.
  • Trace an imaginary figure eight with your eyes.
  • Keep tracing for 30 seconds, then switch directions.

20-20-20 rule

  • Eye strain is a real problem for a lot of people. Human eyes are not supposed to be glued to a single object for extended periods of time. If you work at a computer all day, the 20-20-20 rule may help prevent digital eye strain.
  • To implement this rule, every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

Vision therapy

  • Vision therapy may include eye exercises, but only as part of a more specialised treatment program done under the supervision of an eye doctor, optometrist, or ophthalmologist.
  • The goal of vision therapy can be to strengthen the eye muscles.
  • It also can help to retrain poor visual behaviour, or help with eye tracking issues.

Healthline : Medically reviewed by Ann Marie Griff, O.D. — Written by Corinne O’Keefe Osborn — Updated on September 29, 2018


This condition can be similar symptoms to:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist/Optician) for further advice

Detailed Information

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