Dry eyes are actually a collection of symptoms that stems from an imbalance in the quality and quantity of tears. The moisture level in the eyes is maintained by the balance of tear production and tear loss through evaporation and drainage.
Tears are produced by two different methods. One is tears produced at a slow, steady rate and is responsible for normal eye lubrication. The other produce tears in large quantities in response to irritation or emotions.
What are the symptoms of dry eyes?
The eyes feel dry, gritty, the feeling that there is something in the eye.
Anatomy of the tear film
Each time you blink tears bathe and lubricate the eyes. The tears are produced by glands above each eye. The tear film consists of a delicate balance of three layers:
The oily layer, produced by the meibomian gleans forms the outermost surface of the tear film. Its main purpose is to smooth the tear surface and reduce evaporation. Similar to paint which contain a slow drying solvent so the paint dry from the bottom up so you don’t get bubbles in the paint.
The watery middle layer is 98% water is produced by the lachrymal gland. It cleanses the cornea and washes away foreign particles or irritants. Like when dust blow into your eyes.
The mucus layer is produced by the conjunctiva. Mucus allows the watery layer to spread evenly over the surface of the eye and helps the eye to remain moist. Without the mucus, tears would not adhere to the eye.
What causes dry eyes?
Tear production normally decreases with age. Although dry eyes can occur in both men and women at any age, women are most often affected. This is especially true after menopause. One of the most common causes is extensive use of computers. Computer users forget to blink their eyes and as a result develop dry eyes. Other causes are contact lens wear or as a result of laser surgery.
A wide variety of common medications, prescription and over the counter can cause dry eyes by reducing tear production. Especially if you are using:
People with dry eyes are often more prone to toxic side effects of eye medications, including artificial tears. For example, the preservatives in certain eye drops and artificial tear preparations can irritate the eye so special preservative free artificial tears may be required.
How is dry eyes measured?
Several tests can be made to determine if you have dry eyes. For example the Schirmer test, involves placing filter-paper strips under the lower eyelids to measure the rate of tear production under various conditions. Another test uses a diagnostic drop (fluorescein or Rose Bengal) to look for staining patterns in your eyes. This gives you and idea of where the dry patches are located on the eye.
How is dry eyes treated?
The most common treatment is artificial tears which are available over the counter. If you need to use eye drops more than every two hours then preservative free preparations are a better choice.
A natural alternative
When we get older (than 40) our body do not absorb oils from the food as well as when we were young – 65% less at age 65 than at age 18. Essential Fatty Acids EFA are not produced by the body so they must be supplied through the diet. There are two basic categories of EFA’s: Omega-3 and Omega-6. An ideal diet should include a ration of four parts Omerga-6 to one part Omega-3.
Omega-6 EFA’s are found in raw nuts, (almonds, walnuts and their oils), seeds (sesame, sunflower and their oils), borage oil, grape seed oil, primrose oil, soybean oil, whole grains, and legumes.
Omega-3 FTA’s are found in cold water fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines and herring. They are also found in walnuts, flaxseeds and canola oil.
Vitamin A a deficiency in Vitamin A shows up in the eyes first as night blindness and secondly as a dryness of the conjuctiva the white part of the eye. Vitamin A is found in carrots, broccoli leaves, kale, sweet potatoes and is all forms of liver.
Here is the recommended regimen for improving dry eyes using additional oil intake.
Take 10,000 IU of Vitamin A daily, this is the safe limit of that vitamin, to make sure your conjuctiva is nice and moist. The easiest way of getting the required amount of Omega oils is to take 4 table spoons full of walnut oil, or flaxseed oil, both contain both Omega oils in the right ratio. In addition take 3 evening primrose oil capsules (500 mg) 2 or 3 times a day.
Note that the oils should be taken cold. If heated they become free radicals which causes damage.
Walnut oil is very light oil that is delicious on salads. Eating enough oils will improve your dry eyes as well as making your skin much softer.
For more details see: Walnut oil, Flax seed oil, Evening primrose oil, Vitamin A and EFA
