Dry eye syndrome is the lack of adequate moisture or lubrication on the surface of the eye. It has a number of causes and, if left untreated, could have serious consequences. Eye drops for dry eyes are the most convenient and effective way of treating dry eye syndrome.

Take proper care of your eyes and ensure you take the necessary precautions to avoid dry eyes. If you find yourself suffering from dry eyes, visit a doctor, and plan out a specific routine in order to treat and cure dry eye syndrome.

What causes dry eyes?

There are a number of things that can lead to dry eye syndrome. Some of them are:

• Aging
• Hormonal changes
• Entropion or Ectropion
• Thyroid disease
• Environmental pollutants like dust, smoke, or dry air
• Exposure to eye irritants
• Staring at computer or TV screens for extended periods of time
• Vitamin A deficiency
• Diabetes
• Laser eye surgery
• Inflammation or damage of the tear glands
• Allergy medicines, anxiety medicines, beta-blockers, sleeping pills, or other medicines
• Prolonged use of contact lenses
• Eye infections
• Lupus or other diseases of the immune system

Symptoms of dry eye syndrome

There are a number of symptoms of dry eye syndrome. They are mentioned below:

• A burning sensation in the eyes
• Pain in the eyes
• Redness in the eyes
• Blurry vision
• Itching in the eyes
• Difficulty reading or looking at screens
• Dryness in the eyes
• Heavy eyes
• Sore eyes

The best eye drops for dry eyes
Dry eyes are quite a common problem. The best way to treat them is by using eye drops. These are some of the most effective eye drops for dry eyes:

Cyclosporine: Cyclosporine is one of the most effective prescription eye drops for dry eyes. It can treat many inflammations and infections responsible for dry eyes, and dry eye syndrome. Cyclosporine helps the eyes produce more tears. Consult a doctor, and get a prescription. The doctor is likely to recommend you use it twice a day, to see the best results.
It is prescribed for long-term use and is only available on prescription. Take the necessary precautions while using cyclosporine eye drops as they come with a number of potential side-effects. Consult your doctor to know the correct dosage for you, and also, whether you are allergic to cyclosporine.

Artificial tears: Artificial tears are the most common eye drops for dry eyes and are easily available at medical stores. They are useful for lubricating your eyes and maintaining adequate moisture levels on the outer surface of your eyes. Artificial eye drops are very effective at reducing redness of the eyes, as well as treating eye irritation arising from dry eyes.

Artificial tears are primarily of two types:

Drops with preservatives: These eye drops come with other preservatives in them that reduce the growth of bacteria in the eyes. In some instances, these eye drops can irritate the eyes after being applied and are not usually prescribed for patients with acute eye dryness.

Drops without preservatives: Eye drops without preservatives are prescribed for people with moderate to severe eye dryness. Preservative-free eye drops usually come in single-use containers, and are advised to be used up to four times a day. Once again, ensure you consult a physician or an ophthalmologist before you take these drops.

Autologous blood serum eye drops: These eye drops for dry eyes are made with the patient’s blood. This is typically done by taking the patient’s blood sample, separating the red blood cells and other blood components from it, and diluting it with the help of a sterile solution.
Autologous blood serum eye drops are prescribed in severe cases when the dry eye syndrome has stopped responding to any other medication or treatment. It is an effective way to cure eye infection and treat dry eyes.

Lifitegrast: Lifitegrast is a lymphocyte-function related treatment solution that helps reduce eye inflammation and dry eye syndrome. Lifitegrast can only be availed through a doctor’s prescription as it has a number of potential side-effects.

Eye drops containing oil: Sometimes, dry eye syndrome may be caused because of a lack of oil layers in your eye. This depleted or diminished oil layer can be treated with an eye drop that contains oil in it. These eye drops for dry eyes are applied under the eyelids to increase the oil supply available for lubricating your eyes.

Possible side-effects

Some of the possible side-effects of using eye drops are as follows:

• Eyelid swelling
• Occasional redness in the eye
• Stickiness in the lashes
• Discomfort in the eye
• Increased sensitivity to light

Chronic or prolonged eye dryness can be extremely painful. Don’t ignore the symptoms. Consult a doctor, and take the right eye drops for dry eyes, and you’ll be seeing clearer before you know it!