Dry Eye Syndrome

What is dry eye?

Dry eye is a condition of our eyes where the quantity or quality of the tear produced by our body is impaired. A large portion of people suffering from this are over the age of 40, spend long hours in front of a computer or other digital device without taking breaks, live in areas with highly air-conditioned environments, etc.

What are the symptoms?

The main symptoms include redness, burning, a sensation of a foreign body, stinging, itching, and similar sensations. Other signs include blurred vision, heightened sensitivity to light, and difficulties in wearing contact lenses. Contrary to expectations, excessive tearing is sometimes observed as a reaction to the irritation.

How is it diagnosed?

Within the hospital, we have an OS 1000 device (SBM, Italy) — a corneal topographer with unique technology for the automatic and objective analysis of patients with dry eye disease (DED) due to meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). It evaluates the quality and quantity of the lipid layer of the tear film, its thickness, and the function of the meibomian glands, which are a major factor in the development of dry eye syndrome.

How is it treated?

An individual approach should be taken for each patient, as their needs and causes differ. Additional examinations guide us towards the most suitable type of therapy for the patient. Artificial tears are one option, but we also have a Lumenis Stellar M22 device (Intense Pulsed Light). With it, results after a few procedures are more long-lasting, and the difference is noticeable.

 Synonyms: Dryness in the eyes, Chronic eye irritation, Tear deficiency, Keratoconjunctivitis sicca, Computer eye strain