Dry eye is one of the most common eye diseases. Although it is chronic, fortunately, we have many therapeutic alternatives to improve the patient’s quality of life and make their symptoms disappear. Josep Torras, our ophthalmologist specialising in cornea and dry eye, details the therapeutic ladder available to achieve this.
Dry eye should be treated by an ophthalmologist
Dry eye syndrome is a very common disease – it is estimated that 5 million people in our country suffer from it – although in many cases it is underdiagnosed. The symptoms are usually very bothersome – itching, feeling of sand in the eyes, tired eyes, blurred vision… – which leads us to act quickly and believe that by using any artificial tear the problem will disappear.
At visiõnclinic we recommend that if you have the characteristic symptoms of dry eye it is important to go to the ophthalmologist and have the cornea specialist diagnose whether it is this disease. “Only by knowing exactly what type of dry eye it is and what factors cause the symptoms, will we be able to find the best treatment”.
Dr. Josep Torras
“If you notice itchy eyes, dryness, a feeling of grit or tired eyes, you should go to the ophthalmologist: we are the ones who know how to diagnose it and what is the best treatment for each case”
How can we treat dry eyes?
FIRST LEVEL: IMPROVE LIFESTYLE AND FOLLOW SPECIFIC MEASURES
Avoid exposure to tobacco smoke, high heating or air conditioning, protect eyes from wind and avoid driving with open windows, blink frequently when reading or using a computer, lubricate eyes during air travel, manage systemic medications (antidepressants, anxiolytics, antihistamines, beta-blockers, diuretics, contraceptives, anti-estrogens, etc.), and maintain a balanced diet and stay hydrated.
SECOND LEVEL: USE OF ARTIFICIAL TEARS
Administer tear substitutes, such as eye drops with components like hyaluronic acid to increase tear volume and retention, especially if the conjunctiva and cornea are stressed and altered by dryness. Preferably use preservative-free formulations.
Topical anti-inflammatories (steroids, cyclosporine or others) can also be used, since we know that dry eye is associated with a degree of inflammation of the tissues of the conjunctiva and cornea.
THIRD LEVEL: BLOOD PLASMA-DERIVED EYE DROPS
You can use autologous serum eye drops, or growth factors derived from platelets from the patient’s own blood plasma (Platelet Rich Plasma or PRP). Thanks to the growth factors and anti-inflammatory agents contained in these eye drops, they are beneficial for repairing the cornea and conjunctiva damaged by dry eye.
FOURTH LEVEL: ADVANCED THERAPIES
This includes temporary punctal occlusion, amniotic membrane transplantation, and the use of therapeutic soft or scleral contact lenses (PROSE).
Dr. Josep Torras
