Have you been longing for tears?

BODY BASICS/ HEALTH

Have you been feeling an irritating, burning sensation in the eyes lately? Or do they keep filling up with strings of mucus? Don't dismiss these symptoms "" you could be suffering from the dry-eye syndrome.

"Earlier, it was generally women in the post menopausal stage, or those with connective tissue disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, vitamin A deficiency, or patients of Steven Johnson's disease (an allergic reaction to some drugs) who had this problem," says Dr Mahipal Sachdeva, chairman and MD of Centre for Sight in Delhi.

"But with increasing pollution and long hours spent working on the computer, the incidence of this chronic condition has gone up by leaps and bounds in the last few years." Allergic conjunctivitis can also lead to dry eyes, as can long ingestion of tranquilisers, or beta blockers. In rare cases, if left untreated, it can lead to infections and ulceration even.

What is the dry-eye syndrome? Simply put, it is the chronic insufficiency of tears. Tears are a complex mixture of water, fatty oils, proteins, electrolytes and bacteria-fighting substances which help to keep the surface of your eyes smooth and clear.

Does it have a cure? Yes and no. Commonly available over the counter tear substitutes offer palliative symptomatic relief in most cases. Cyclosporin eye drops, which work at the immune system, is another line of treatment to which 40-50 per cent patients respond, says Sachdeva.

The other curative surgical procedure is to use a punctal plug made of soft silicon to temporarily seal the tear duct. This completely closes the tear ducts, which normally serve to drain tears away down the nose. It's slightly expensive, costing around Rs 2,500, and remains for a few months.

But a visit to the ophthalmologist to determine the exact cause is very necessary and Sachdeva also recommends that a Schirmer test be done to measure the tears.

But here are a few do-it-yourself precautionary measures that can help. Avoid exposure to direct air currents like hair dryers, car heaters, air-conditioners or fans; wear protective glasses out in the sun; use humidifiers or a cold compress. But most importantly, remember to blink and avoid rubbing your eyes.