Category: Dry Eyes

Researchers have identified a cause of dry eyes at the cellular level: natural killer (NK) cells that usually enhance eyes’ immunity play a role in causing the inflammation that is at the root of dry eye syndrome.  This new understanding of the origins of dry eye syndrome could help develop new drugs that treat the causes rather than the symptoms of the condition.  The study appeared in the June 2011 issue of the Journal of Leukocyte Biology; Source: Medical News Today

At Natural Eye Care, we advocate for a non-pharmaceutical approach to dealing with the root causes of dry eye syndrome.  Review our self-help points which include insights on diet, lifestyle habits, and nutritional supplements.  It is important to avoid sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and smoking and to eat plenty of leafy green vegetables and drink at least 8 -10 glasses of water per day.

 

As we know well at Natural Eye Care, taking care of dry eye syndrome is about more than just using eye drops.  In fact, it may never be about using eye drops.

An article over at PCON Supersite discusses some oral treatments for dry eyes. We recommend that our patients evaluate their diet and lifestyle choices and make some necessary changes as well as take the right dietary supplements.

Not only our eyes, but the entire body need essential fatty acids in the form of omega-6s and omega-3s.  Omega-6s help fight inflammation that can be an underlying cause of dry eyes and omega-3s make it possible for the body to use the fats in omega-6s.

According to the article’s author, Jeffrey Anshel, OD, the Institute of Medicine recommends we take in “four times as many omega-6 fatty acids as omega-3 fatty acids. It is currently estimated that the average American diet maintains a ratio of up to 25:1.”  This overabundance of omega-6s comes from the Western diet’s reliance on vegetable oils containing linoleic acid that are added to processed foods.  What we really need are fats in the form of  omega-6 gamma linolenic acid (GLA).  These can be found in black currant seed oil, borage oil and evening primrose oil, which are much more rarely found in the average American pantry.  A great source for omega-3s is fish oil.

Source: Primary Care Optometry News, November 1, 2008

Omega-3/Dry Eye Update:

A study published in the journal Cornea involved giving 36 dry eye patients a 90 day regiment of fish oil containing 450 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid, 300 mg of docosahexaenoic acid and 1000 mg of flaxseed oil.  The researchers were seeking to determine the effect of the supplementation on the lipid composition of meibum, aqueous tear evaporation and tear volume.

Seventy percent of those who received the fish oil supplement experienced relief of symptoms by the end of the study compared to just 7% who took the placebo.  Scientists found that the supplements did not markedly alter meibum lipid composition or aqueous tear evaporation rate.  Omega-3 did increased tear production and tear volume in individuals with dry eyes.

Source: Cornea. 2011;30(3):308-314.

Drinking water is key not only to keeping the body running well, but Tufts University researchers also find that it is important to keeping us happy as well.

A study of 31 college athletes engaged in an hour of aerobic activity while mildly dehydrated.  Compared to counterparts who had enough water to drink, the dehydrated group reported increased “tiredness, depression, confusion, tension or anger.”  While researchers point out that there is some connection between hydration and cognition, they found the strongest relationship between hydration and mood.

Source: Care2

Dry eye syndrome has also been connected to inadequate water consumption.  To keep your eyes moist and your mood buoyant, be sure to have 6-8 glasses per day.

Prevent Blindness America reminds us that women are more likely to suffer from dry eye syndrome than men.

Their organization has designated April as Women’s Eye Health and Safety Awareness month.  They quote Lynn K Gordon, MD, PhD, president of the national organization, Women in Ophthalmology, ““Not only do more women have dry eye, they are also more likely to develop eye diseases such as cataracts and glaucoma.  And, because of increased longevity, women are more likely to develop macular degeneration. It is imperative that women of every age make an appointment with their eye doctor as soon as possible to ensure that they are protecting their vision for the future.”  Source: Prevent Blindness America

So, what can a woman (or a man) who wants to prevent dry eyes do?

• Make sure to eat lots of green leafy vegetables.
• Avoid sugar and/or artificial sweeteners: Eating  more than 3-2/3 tablespoons of sugar a day has been connected this condition (note that only one can of soda contains about 3 tablespoons of sugar).  Sugar is included in most refined and or processed such as instant dinners,  cereals, mustard, ketchup, and salad dressings and sauces and other condiments.
• Avoid toxic fats that are found in commercial red meat and poultry, dairy products, fried foods, and hydrogenated margarine and shortening. These fats have the capacity to interfere with the proper metabolism of essential fatty acids in the body and are indirect causes of dry eye syndrome. Eat organic products whenever possible.
• Limit coffee and stop smoking.
• Avoid hydrogenated and transfatty acid containing foods
• Drink 8-10 glasses of water a day.
• Avoid any foods to which you may be allergic.
• Supplement your diet with a good multivitamin and/or an organic green drink daily.
• Try drops with vitamin A  (see below)

Vitamin A & Dry Eye

A study done at the Catholic University of Korea showed that using eyedrops containing retinal palmitate daily for 4 weeks can effectively relieve the symptoms of dry eyes and improve tear film production.

Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea

Accepted 11 August 2008. published online 09 October 2008. Inquiries to Choun-Ki Joo, Department of Ophthalmology, KangNam St Mary’s Hospital, #505 Ban-Po Dong, Seocho-Ku, Seoul 137-040, Korea

 

 

An international team of scientists have published a report that could change the way we look at dry eye syndrome.

There is news from the International Workshop on Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, which has spent two years formulating an evidence-based evaluation of meibomian gland structure and function in health and disease.  According to report authors, MGD is an extremely important condition, conceivably underestimated, and very likely the most frequent cause of dry eye disease.  More than 50 experts from around the globe worked together, mostly using technology to connect across great distances to develop a contemporary understanding of the definition and classification of MGD.

According to the report, researchers now understand that the meibomian gland is a key component in the etiology of dry eye and contributes to the evaporative status of the tear film.

“MGD may well be the leading cause of dry eye disease throughout the world. Although this condition influences the health and well being of millions of people, there has not previously been a global consensus on the definition, classification, diagnosis or therapy of MGD,” explained Dr. David A. Sullivan, PhD, TFOS President.

If you have been concerned about your chances of experiencing dry eye syndrome post cataracts surgery, your fears may be warranted.

A new study finds that people who have had cataracts surgery are more likely to suffer from dry eyes than is usually reported.  An assessment of 143 people who underwent cataracts surgery showed that while only 22.1% of patients received a dry eye diagnosis, more than 30% reported stinging, burning, dryness and foreign body sensation, while 40% reported itching, sensitivity to light, blurred vision and fatigued eyes. Source: OSNSupersite

Learn more about natural strategies to cope with dry eyes at our website.

Also, read about natural ways we have helped people suffering from cataracts.

Spring will probably be a relief for all of us in northern climates, but especially those who suffer from dry eye syndrome.

A study published in the journal Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science describes how dry eye syndrome can be worse when temperatures sink below 30 degrees Celcius[1. D. Borchman, et al, Human meibum lipid conformation and thermodynamic changes with meibomian-gland dysfunction, Investigative and Visual Science, June, 2011],[2. 5. I.A. Butovich, J.C. Arciniega, et al, Meibomian Lipid Films and the Impact of Temperature, Investigations in Ophthalmology and Visual Science, November, 2010].  Since that is about 86 degrees Fahrenheit, any time you are out in (especially windy, dry weather) you may have the dry eye burning and tearing experience.  Not until the hot weather of summer will weather related relief for your dry eye symptoms arrive.  Luckily, there are other effective strategies that you can try to prevent and treat your dry eye symptoms.

Meibomian Layer

According to the study, temperature affects the function of the meibomian layer of the eye, which produces the oily substance that protects the outer layer of the tear film.  The meibomian layer can become stiff and thick and not spread evenly over the surface of the tear film to protect it from evaporation.  And when the tear film evaporates too quickly you have the burning, tearing dry eye symptom.

Being out in the wind can also greatly exacerbate dry eye symptoms as well as living and working in the dry air so common in the heated spaces in which most of us spend our winters.

The solution:  Be sure to blink when you are outdoors to keep spreading the tear film across your cornea.  Pay attention to whether your eyes feel the slightest bit of burning so that you might be able to avert the tearing that will result.