Pittwater Life September 2018 Issue

Health & Wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing
Winds of change usher
in ‘dry eye’ discomfort
August-September is westerly
wind season and with the
winds come many more patients
with irritated eyes.
People with dry eye may
not present with “dry” eyes.
Symptoms include burning and
foreign-body sensations, irritation,
and excess tearing. These
symptoms are often exacerbated
by heating, wind, low
humidity, or prolonged periods
of reading. The symptoms usually
occur because there is an
imbalance in the tear film.
The tear film is made up
of three layers: a mucus layer
that forms the base of the tear
film and binds the tears to the
surface of the eye; the middle
layer is watery and forms the
bulk of the thickness of the tear
film; and the top layer is an oily
film that coats the surface and
prevents evaporation.
Diagnosing the area of the
tear film that is affected is
crucial for prescribing the right
treatment. This may be in the
form of drops that support a
particular layer of the tear film,
nutritional supplements and
environmental modifications,
tear duct treatment and possibly
even referral for lid surgery.
Isolating if the irritation is based
on allergy or infection is also important
in solving the problem.
Tear supplements or dry eye
drops are many and varied and
the most common work only
the watery part of the tear film.
While this may temporarily
soothe, diagnosing the cause is
crucial for a long-term solution.
Dry eyes can also result from
other health concerns and
some medications prescribed
for unrelated issues. Common
conditions linked to dry eye
include rheumatoid and arthritic
with Rowena Beckenham
conditions, autoimmune conditions,
chronic inflammatory gut
concerns and thyroid issues.
Medications that impact tear
function include some antidepressants
and acne medications.
Your optometrist can
diagnose the cause of dry eye
with the aid of a slit lamp biomicroscope,
temporary tear film
dyes and modern photographic
techniques to analyse the tear
film.
Comment supplied by Rowena Beckenham, of
Beckenham Optometrist in Avalon (9918 0616). Rowena
has been involved in all facets of independent private
practice optometry in Avalon for 16 years, in addition
to working as a consultant to the optometric and
pharmaceutical industry, and regularly volunteering in
Aboriginal eyecare programs in regional NSW.
46 SEPTEMBER 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991