What is dry eye?

The normal tear film which coats the surface of the eye has three layers- water, mucous and fat. Dry eye can be due to a problem with one or all three layers.

Most commonly, it is due to decreased production of the watery layer or problems with the fatty layer, which allow the watery layer to evaporate faster.

The watery tears evaporate, so the tears become salty, and this causes discomfort and interferes with the nutrition of the surface of the eye.

There is a spectrum of disease- from the stinging and burning we all feel when our eyes are tired, to a severe condition that can lead to death of the cells on the surface of the cornea.

What causes dry eye?

Dry eye is caused by oxidative damage. This may be aggravated by age, sun damage, stress, inflammatory conditions, especially autoimmune diseases, diabetes, contact lens wear, eye surgery, and omega-3 oil deficiency.

What are the symptoms?

The water evaporates from the tears, so they become salty and sting and burn.

The eyes can feel sandy and gritty, especially in the morning.

How can you treat Dry Eye?

Until recently, we have only been able to offer lubricant drops, which replaced the tears the eyes were no longer making.

Now, we have treatments available.

TheraTears eye drops are preservative free. They are hypotonic, so they dilute the salty tears, improving the comfort of the eye. If used regularly, they can help to reverse the dry eye condition by encouraging the surface layer of the eye to regenerate, increasing the numbers of goblet cells, which make tears.

Tears again spray coats the watery tears with a fatty layer, stabilising the tear film and reducing evaporation. It also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

TheraTears Nutrition provides high quality organic, GE-free and gluten-free omega-3 oils that thicken the oily layer (flax seed oil) and reduce inflammation (purified fish oil that is protein free and free of heavy metals).