Three common misunderstandings about dry eyes, avoid them now!

Dry eye syndrome is a “little transparent” disease in everyone’s eyes. Mixed in the huge team of various complex eye diseases, it often has no sense of existence. In fact, there are many misunderstandings about it. These small misunderstandings may not sound like much, but they are enough to affect the treatment of dry eye syndrome and your quality of life. You must avoid these risks...

× “Dry eyes are caused by less tears, and eye drops can help.”

Those who think this way usually confuse "dry eyes" with ordinary "dry eyes" and do not correctly understand our tears, that is, the nature of tears - normal people's healthy tears not only have an aqueous layer ("water"), but also a lipid layer ("oil") and a mucin layer. Abnormalities in these components, or mixed disorders of more factors, may cause dry eyes.

Chen Xiangxi, PhD, associate chief physician, secretary of the Cornea and Ocular Surface Group of Aier Eye Hospital Group, and deputy director of the Ocular Surface and Corneal Disease Department of Aier Eye Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University (Aier Eye Hospital Group Hubei General Hospital), introduced: Many people think that dry eyes are caused by lack of "water". In fact, most clinical dry eyes are mainly caused by lack of oil. The "oil" secreted by the meibomian glands is distributed on the surface of the water layer, which effectively reduces the evaporation of water. When the meibomian glands are blocked and the function of secreting oil is impaired, it will cause excessive tear evaporation. At this time, the meibomian glands should be treated. Simply applying eye drops and feeling moist at the moment is only a temporary solution, and long-term use of inappropriate eye drops may further damage the tear film, corneal and conjunctival cells, etc., thereby aggravating the condition.

× “Dry eyes are a common problem and you don’t have to see a doctor”

First of all, dry eyes are indeed common, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a big problem!

The dry eyes, itchy eyes, dry eyes, eye fatigue, etc. that are felt in the early stage of dry eye syndrome are also common eye discomforts in life. However, for dry eye syndrome, when these discomforts are felt, although normal life has not been greatly affected, the eyes are likely to have meibomian gland dysfunction or even corneal conjunctivitis and other damages. At this time, if it is allowed to develop or drugs are abused at will, the condition will not only fail to improve, but may worsen.

If dry eye patients also have systemic diseases such as hyperthyroidism, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, etc., they are often prone to develop moderate to severe dry eyes, and some may even cause keratitis, corneal ulcers, corneal perforation, resulting in serious vision damage.

Although dry eyes are common, they should not be ignored and you should seek medical help promptly to diagnose and treat the condition.

× “Dry eyes are not a big problem and can be cured quickly”

After being diagnosed with dry eye syndrome, many patients receive treatment, but they still have an inappropriate "disdainful" attitude towards the disease - shouldn't this minor problem be cured quickly?

Director Chen Xiangxi said: This requires the joint efforts of doctors and patients to correct habits, treat the cause, enter the treatment stage as soon as possible, and follow the doctor's advice to alleviate the condition. At the same time, patients must have a clear and rational understanding of dry eye syndrome and be mentally prepared for a "long-term struggle", because even if dry eye syndrome is not an incurable disease, it is not a disease that can be cured immediately. Therefore, during the treatment process, the patient's persistence and cooperation are of great significance.