Dry Eye

Drying, a burning sensation, a stinging sensation, a sensation of having sand particles stuck in the eye, eye redness and the need to close the eyelids comprise the main symptoms in the case of dry eye.

While the dry eye may be caused by the frequently encountered conditions of aging, menopause, arid climate, air conditioners, contact lens use, tobacco smoke, long time reading or computer use, it may also be caused in rare cases by the eyelid-lacrimal gland traumas and diseases, rheumatic diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome, etc.) and diseases of thyroid gland (Graves’ disease) through either increased tear evaporation or decreased tear production. The medical history of the patient and the ophthalmologic examination are of significant value in the diagnosis of the dry eye. It is possible to obtain information about the inadequacy of tears and the quality of tears by means of the dry eye diagnostic methods.