Tears are very complex and act essentially to lubricate the eye, and create a critical optical surface for clear vision. With aging, the tears may change in many individuals. When one of the tear's three main components become deficient the tears are abnormal and do not lubricate correctly causing the eye to itch and burn or feel gritty from dry spots appearing on the cornea. When the tear glands receive this reflex "cry for help" message, the functioning glands will often overproduce causing a characteristic excess of watery tears. The extra tears are not balanced, and do not lubricate the eyes adequately for comfort. This causes the paradox of the "dry eye" patient who complains of tears running down his or hers cheeks.

Environmental Factors

Dry, dusty environments, air-conditioning, smoke filled rooms and smoking itself aggravate dry eye symptoms. Reading, watching TV, computer work and driving may also worsen your symptoms as these activities decrease the normal, critical blink frequency.

Artificial Tears and Gels

A simple and conservative treatment for dry eye is tear substitutes. There are many available and if one brand does not work for you, you may want to experiment with others to find relief. Dry eyes usually find products that are "preservative free" to be more soothing given the frequency of use on the irritated ocular surface. These products may be used as needed to relieve itching and burning, as often as once an hour. As the dry eye patient requires only lubrication, be certain the product you choose is simply an ocular lubricant and not one of the solutions that "get the red out" as they may include astringents, preservatives, vasoconstrictors, and additives.

Gel-lubrication products provide relief for a longer time period but may cause some blurring of vision. This can be minimized by applying only a fraction of a drop of ointment at a time. The use of a gel or tear ointment at night will help soothe and protect the eyes at night and help alleviate the sleepy "crusties" that you find on the corners of your eyes upon waking.

Lacrimal Plugs

Some patients find that tears and gels alone are not adequate, or are not convenient. These patients often benefit from a temporary or permanent blockage of one or more of the lacrimal glands. This does not alter the tear production, rather these microscopic plugs serve to retain preserve your natural tears, as well as extending any tear products that you may apply. Inserting these plugs is generally a comfortable, quick , in office procedure that can provide relief in the otherwise frustrating chronic challenge of dry eye.

Nutrition, Omega-3, and Flaxseed

Flaxseed and flaxseed oil, taken by mouth, has been used to treat dry eyes. Because of it's Omega-3 fatty acid content, flax has been used to lower total cholesterol levels, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides with potential heart benefits. Flax oil and seeds contain more Omega-3 fatty acids than fish oil. Some research suggests that such fats are best absorbed when bound to a protein such as cottage cheese.

The symptoms of dry eye may improve after taking flax for two weeks. The oily layer of the tears inhibits the evaporation of tears and flax likely improves the oily layer. This causes tears to be retained on the surface of the eye longer and helps alleviate the symptoms of dry eye and also allows contact lens wearers to wear their contacts longer.

Pharmacutical Restasis® Ophthalmic Emulsion is the first prescription eye drop indicated to increase tear production which may be reduced by inflammation on the eye surface in patients with Chronic Dry Eye. Restasis® is believed to work on the inflammation to relieve it and enable greater tear production over time. Your doctor can work with you to see if Restasis® is a good option for your dry eye symptoms. Restasis® is not an instant cure, and requires a long-term commitment for full results. During the first few months on the medication, your doctor will work with you to track the improvement of symptoms.