We all know that our whole body works on energy, and this energy is circulated in the body by electrical

and magnetic
waves. For our sense organs to function,this energy is continuously used up, more so with the eyes. As soon as we wake
up, we use our eyes before we use any other sense organs. Even during sleep our eyes are continuously moving, so much
so that by the end of the day what we get is tired eyes.
Because the uses over 80% of our total energy out put,and if there is some deficiency in them the energy used is more
leading to to the tiredness of eyes. Eyes get nourishment the tears, in fact,70% of the nutrition to the eyes is through the
tears. Hence it is necessary for the eyes to have enough water or lubrication for proper nutrition, thereby preventing
tiredness of the eyes, and if you are wondering how this is related to dry eyes and how can we cure it this article may come
in handy.

1.

Learn about the causes of dry eye.

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Tears form on top of the cornea and conjunctiva of the eye.

Tears form on top of the cornea and conjunctiva of the eye. Integrity of the tear film is important and is maintained because
of the composition of the tear film itself. Essentially, it consists of three layers-lipid, watery and mucus layers. The muscular
layer lies adjacent to the microvilli of the epithelial cell of the cornea. As this cell is hydrophobic and cannot absorb water by
itself, the mucus layer swells with water and transfers the water molecules through the cell membrane of the microvilli. Thus
deficiency of the tear film leads to the dries of the cornea cells and eyes.

2.

Search for the proper treatment.

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Effective treatment of dry eyes requires a careful examination to determine which factor is causing the
symptoms. The main aim of the treatment is to keep the eyes moist. The initial treatment is usually the use demulcent eye
drops viz, artificial tears. These lubricate the eyes, and relieve the symptoms.
Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is the most commonly used medication followed by Carboxy
Methycellulose. Those with severe dry eyes require more aggressive therapy with lachrymal punctual occlusion plugs.

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Dry eyes due to diseases of the meibomian glands and blepharitis generally respond well to treatment
with an antibiotic eye ointment like tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, chloamphenicol.
Dry eyes can also be the result of inflammation in the lachrymal glands.A vicious cycle follows in that the
eye irritated by dry eyes, can over stimulate the nerve fibers of the lachrymal glands which causes further lachrymal gland
inflammation due to its over stimulation and thus reducing the tear formation.

3.

Search for alternate treatments.

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Addition of the tears. Frequent use of preservative-free artificial tears proactively, before beginning an
activity that tends to aggravate dry eye symptoms.
Conservation of tears. This can be done by either partially or completely blocking the tear ducts, which
normally drain the tears. This closure not only conserves or own tears but also the artificial tears. A more drastic and
permanent treatment treatment is the cauterization of the lacrimal punctum.

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Use artificial eye drops

Use of artificial tear drops. Artificial tear drops are available over the counter and there are a wide range of them available..It
may be necessary that each patient try the many different formulations in order to find the one that gives the greatest relief.A
combination of artificial tears may some time ave to be used.In case of chronic dry eyes, artificial tears have to be used even
if the eyes are symptom free.
Artificial tears are only supplements and not a substitute for natural tears. Eye ointments give comfort
due to their lubricating effect and are particularly useful during extended periods when artificial tears cannot be applied.

4.

Try some home remedies.

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Caring your eyes is your responsibility. Take good care of it.

Dry eyes cannot be completely cured, however there are some methods that can be used to treat them. Akin to any liquid,
tears also evaporate when exposed to air. There are a few simple home remedies that may be followed to retard
evaporation.
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Avoid exposing the eyes to air directly, e.g. a car heater, hair driers, and air conditioners.
Wear glasses while going out in the sun or while riding and goggles during swimming.

Keep the home environs humid, between 30 and 50 percent. During winter a humidifier may be used to
add moisture to dry indoor air. Additional humidity can be created by wearing special glasses that form a moisture chamber
around the eye.
Try to blink frequently which will help spread the tears more frequently.
Try avoiding rubbing the eyes.
Prophylactic use of eye drops before rather than after,when performing activities which are visually
demanding
Use artificial tears as eye drops or ointments. Though ointments last longer, they can become messy
because of their viscous nature leading to blurred vision.
Avoid smoking.

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Unverified Remedies
1.

Reduce salt in your diet. Dry eyes can come from too much salt in the diet. You can test this for yourself, especially when
getting up at night to use the bathroom. If your eyes are now dry, drink a few ounces of water (small coffee size) and see if
your eyes don't get nearly immediate relief. If they do, then reduce the salt in your diet and stay hydrated.

Dry Eye Remedies

Dry eye syndrome, also known as ocular surface disease or keratoconjunctivitis sicca, is a common problem affecting
people today. An estimated 25 to 30 million people are affected by dry eyes in the United States alone. When the eyes are
not lubricated sufficiently, it causes dry eyes, red dry eye, or eye dryness. The causes could be many, and may cause blurry
vision in some cases. At times, the surface of the eye may become inflamed due to eye dryness. If ignored, the condition
can lead to scars on the cornea, pain, ulcers, or in rare cases, loss of vision.

Causes
Causes of dry eyes include:

Aging

Allergies

Chronic inflammation of the conjunctiva

Constant contact lens usage that leads to loss of sensation in the cornea

Dry workplace or environment

Eyelid gland diseases

Eye injuries like bulging eyes or drooping eyelids

Extreme and inadequate vitamin dosage

Infrequent blinking while working at the computer or watching TV

LASIK surgery

Reaction to medications including antihistamines, anti-depressants, birth control pills, certain blood pressure
medication, nasal decongestants

Skin disease surrounding or on the eyelid

Smoking

Symptoms
Dry eye symptoms could be any of the following:

Burning or stinging of the eye

Contact lenses that are uncomfortable

Decreased ability to read

Eye fatigue

Excess tears suddenly occurring after a dry eye

Heavy eyelids

Incapacity to cry when emotionally stressed

Pain and redness of eyes

Recurring episodes of blurred vision

Sandy or gritty sensation in your eye

Stringy discharge from the eye.

Treatment
Here are a few home remedies that you can try at home if you are suffering from dry eyes. Warm towel compress: Moisture
therapy requires you to apply a warm towel compress on your eyes to help open up oil glands that are clogged in the
eyelids. The heat warms the oil present in the oil glands and helps it flow easily. All you have to do is lie down, place the
compress on your eyes, and wait for around 10 minutes. Repeating this exercise many times a day will help lubricate your
eyes. Make sure that it is not too hot though as it could injure your eye permanently.
Humidify the Air: Using a humidifier makes sure that there is more moisture in the air that in turn will not lead to your tears
evaporating quickly. Air conditioning and furnaces reduce humidity in the air. It is also advisable to use a humidifier at night
as the eyes tend to dry out more when your eyelids are closed. Excessive air movements like a fan at maximum speed
could also make dry eye worse as dust particles could enter your eye and tend to irritate them. In such cases, using an air
filter should help reduce irritants in the air.
Make an effort to blink: Eyes tend to get dry when they are staring either at a television, book or computer for long periods of
time without a break. Make sure that you take constant breaks to rest your eyes as well as give them a chance to regain
some moisture in them. Open and close your eyes for 10 seconds or so every 5 to 10 minutes. The more you blink, the more
moisture is produced by your eyes.
Wash your Eyelid: Gently scrubbing your eyelids once or twice a day should help lubricate them and keep them moist. Use a
shampoo or soap that will be gentle on your eyes like baby shampoo. Add a small drop on to a wet wash cloth and then
gently wash your eyelids with it.
Wear Sunglasses when Going Out: Sunglasses help protect your eyes from becoming dry as the harsh light of the sun
makes your eyes extra sensitive along with other natural elements like low humidity and harsh winds that cause them to dry
out quickly. Try to wear warp-around sunglasses or goggles as they protect your eyes fully.

Lubricating Eye Drops, Gels and Ointments: Eye drops and gels that help lubricate your eyes are available at all pharmacies
and supply more moisture on the surface of the eye. Follow the instructions given on the label for best results. Drops and
gels are usually used four times a day while certain drops could have an effect for a longer period of time compared to
others. Lubricating ointments are also available, and their effects last longer than drops and gels, though they could tend to
blur your vision due to their thickness. So it is preferable to use an ointment in the night before you go to sleep.
Herbal Remedies: Taking a fish oil supplement or a supplement that contains omega 3 oil will help ease dry eye symptoms.
Evening primrose oil or flax seed oil is also known to reduce dry eye as they tend to keep the eyes moist.

References:
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www.nei.nih.gov/health/dryeye/dryeye.asp
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001462/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2699789/