The answer is no, yes, or maybe so.\u00a0 I\u2019m not trying to be obtuse, but the answer is different for different people.<\/p>\n
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Let\u2019s start with the dry eye syndrome.\u00a0 It is very common and affects millions of Americans.\u00a0 Also, it can vary in severity from a mild nuisance to a vision altering severe condition.\u00a0 The common denominator for all people with dry eye syndrome, is compromised ocular lubrication.\u00a0 But, the condition has many causes which can overlap and interact.<\/p>\n
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Our tears are made by two different tear glands:\u00a0 the lacrimal glands which make the salt water component and the meibomian glands which make the oil component.\u00a0 Dry eye syndrome can be due to inadequate oil production.\u00a0 This imbalance can actually be worsened when the lacrimal glands over-produce the salt water which ends up diluting the oil further.\u00a0 And paradoxically someone with dry eyes might be \u201ctearful\u201d.<\/p>\n
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Dry eye syndrome can also be due to inadequate lacrimal output.\u00a0 The most common cause for this is certain rheumatologic syndromes especially Sjogren\u2019s Syndrome.\u00a0 But lacrimal deficiency can also occur due to aging, contact lenses, and the drying effect of certain medications such as antihistamines.<\/p>\n
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Allergic individuals may not have ocular allergy until they develop dry eye syndrome, which leads to a paucity of tears and therefore impedes the natural removal process of allergens from the eye.\u00a0 Then if they take antihistamines to help their allergies they can worsen the drying of the eyes.\u00a0 Other medicines that can contribute to dry eyes include: diuretics, beta \u2013 blockers, some antidepressants, birth control pills and some herbal supplements, especially echinacea.<\/p>\n
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Finally, people who have a reduced blink rate (most commonly seen in Parkinson\u2019s disease) don\u2019t renew the protective tear film on the eyes and experience dry eye issues.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The answer is no, yes, or maybe so.\u00a0 I\u2019m not trying to be obtuse, but the answer is different for different people. Let\u2019s start with the dry eye syndrome.\u00a0 It is very common and affects millions of Americans.\u00a0 Also, it can vary in severity from a mild nuisance to a vision altering severe condition.\u00a0 The common denominator for all people with dry eye syndrome, is compromised ocular lubrication.\u00a0 But, the condition has many causes which can overlap and interact….<\/p>\n