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What is dry eye?

Dry eye is a condition where the tear film is disrupted, leading to inadequate lubrication and moisture on the eye surface. This can occur due to either insufficient tear production or excessive tear evaporation.

What is dry eye
How to recognise it

How to recognise it

One of the first signs of dry eye is excessive tearing, by which the eye wants to protect dry spots on the surface caused by an unstable tear film. Other symptoms include the feeling of burning, grittiness, stinging, scratching, a foreign body or other symptoms that are uncomfortable to the eye.

Excessive looking at screens at work or at home, dry air, sun, wind, the use of contact lenses or medications, are just some of the factors that can cause dry eyes.

If you pay attention to the symptoms and start dealing with them on time, the progression of this disease can be prevented, but most people are not aware of their symptoms or give them the necessary attention. Thus, the disease progresses, and as with most diseases - prevention is the best choice.

What are the possible causes?

Tears are a complex mixture of water, lipids, proteins, electrolytes, protective substances against microbes and growth factors. Tears create a tear film on the ocular surface, which consists of three layers: fat, water and mucous (mucin) layer.

Changes in any of these three layers can be the cause of dry eye, as well as problems with the eyelids, taking certain medications or external factors, such as sun and wind. Due to changes in composition, the tear film breaks down too quickly, leaving the eye’s surface unprotected. There are many reasons for the insufficient secretion of tears and their irregular composition.

  • Dry and hot air
  • Sun
  • Wind
  • Smoke and dust
  • Prolonged use of digital devices
  • Contact lenses
  • Reduced production of tear components: water, mucin and lipid layer
  • Hormonal changes: menstruation, pregnancy, menopause
  • Ageing
  • Allergies
  • Diabetes
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Thyroid diseases
  • Sjögren’s syndrome
  • Lupus erythematosus
  • Rosacea
  • Stevens-Johnson syndrome
  • Diuretics and antihypertensives
  • Antihistamines
  • Oral contraceptives
  • Antidepressants
  • Non-steroidal anti-rheumatic drugs
  • Immunosuppressants
Eye drop therapy for dry eye

Eye drop therapy for dry eye

Drops for dry eye, also known as artificial tears, are not a cure but rather a therapy for replenishing and balancing the tear film. They are used for protecting, moisturising and lubricating the eye. Artificial tears create a protective layer on the ocular surface that evaporates more slowly than natural tears and reduces friction of the eyelids during blinking. They also help in the healing of minor cell damage to the eye’s surface. They remain on the surface of the eye for about 20 minutes, alleviating the subjective dry eye discomfort and protecting the eye.

There are many types of artificial tears, which differ in their composition, density, and by whether they contain preservatives. Preservatives are not desirable in large quantities because they can cause irritation and damage to the cells of the ocular surface. Patients who frequently apply artificial tears are especially exposed to this risk. It is, therefore, preferable that artificial tears do not contain preservatives.

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Our Recommendation

Vizol S drops for dry eye in sodium hyaluronate concentrations of 0.21% and 0.4% serve as a substitute for natural tears. They are used for protecting, moisturising and lubricating the eye.

The use of drops provides quick relief of discomfort.

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