Dry Eye Syndrome (DES) is a complex condition and multifactorial. In a large proportion of cases, the condition has got a primary cause and treating or managing the primary cause can alleviate and sometimes can get rid of the problem. DES is now thought to have a strong inflammatory cause and at Edgbaston Eye Clinic, we would routinely send patients for blood test with instruction for specific tests. We are in a lucky position that we can get the result on the same day or the next day.
The symptoms can vary from watery eye to more severe eye pain and hazy vision. A successful dry eye management doesn’t always involve ‘bombarding’ patients with artificial tears and sometimes excessive use of these artificial tears and gel can worsen the condition. Scrubbing the eye lid may also not be the answer if the cause of the dry eye syndrome is not blepharitis for example.
Some medications such as antidepressant can cause dry eye syndrome or make it worse and various systemic conditions such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune conditions can also lead to dry eye syndrome.
Dry eye specialist in Birmingham