What You Need to Know About Chronic Dry Eye

Chronic Dry Eye Disease is a condition of the eye in which an insufficient amount of tears are produced, or the quality of the tears produced is poor and they evaporate too quickly. The result? Dry, itchy, burning eyes! Unfortunately, millions of people around the world suffer from chronic dry eye. And, given the nature and definition of a chronic disease, it is an incurable condition. However, with the right products and care, chronic dry eye disease can be easily managed and tolerated. Chronic Dry Eye can be caused by a number of different factors, which stem from two conditions: aqueous tear deficiency (also called keratoconjunctivitis sicca), in which the eyes don’t produce enough tears; and excessive evaporative loss, in which tears evaporate faster than normal. Aqueous tear deficiency can arise due to aging, certain medical conditions such as diabetes and arthritis, certain medications, or tear gland damage. Excessive evaporative loss often develops due to arid environments, a decreased blink rate, or diseases of the eyelids such as Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (LINK to MGD post). Any imbalance in the eye’s tear composition of oil, water, and mucus can lead to symptoms of chronic dry eye. Symptoms usually affect both eyes, and can include: A stinging, burning or scratchy sensation Mucus secretions on the eyelids Sensitivity to light Redness Difficulty wearing contact lenses Difficulty driving at night Watery eyes Blurred vision or eye fatigue If you possess any or all of these symptoms and believe you may be suffering from chronic dry eye disease, consult a medical professional immediately. Bruder Healthcare offers a number of products to those suffering from MGD and chronic dry eye disease. To learn more about these products, please read this blog post (LINK to “moist heat therapy solutions for dry eye” post) or visit the Shop (LINK).