HealthMatters 2010
st. Mary’s and in private practice at Drs.
fabric, shafrin & bloom. “Most are post-
menopausal or perimenopausal women.
because of hormonal changes, the tear
glands around the eye don’t produce as
much tears.”
Evil Eye
Treatment and Prevention
a number of remedies are available over
the counter. use an eye drop with the
word “lubricant” on the label, ireland rec-
ommends. bloom suggests avoiding drops
Dry eye can be an occasional nuisance or a
with preservatives and recommends re-
fresh PM at bedtime.
more serious condition, but simple treatment
“The biggest problem with eye drops
is that people don’t use them enough,”
options are available. By Scott R. WeinBeRgeR bloom adds. “you should use them every
three to four hours.”
omega-3 fatty acids and a home hu-
midifier may help dry eye as well.
The only prescription medicine for the
condition is restasis eye drops.
“restasis reduces inflammation on the
eye’s surface and allows your eye to pro-
duce better-quality tear film,” ireland says.
bloom cautions that restasis “is not for
symptomatic relief. it often takes weeks or
months before you see the benefit of it. but
you can use it along with artificial tears.”
and if that doesn’t work, tiny plugs can
be inserted into the puncta – or drainage
ducts – in the eyelids. it takes just seconds
in the doctor’s office to insert the tiny plugs.
“We would put a plug in so the tear film
you do make stays around longer,” ireland
says. “but that doesn’t improve the quality
D
ry eye – that burning or scratchy feeling in your of the tear film.” a part of the lid can also
eye, sometimes accompanied by redness, blurred vision or excessive tearing – be surgically closed to decrease the exposed
is no fun. it’s also a sign that something is amiss with the tear film that coats surface of the eye so there is more tear film
the surface of the eye, the cornea. in the worst cases, dry eye leads to corneal for the area that needs it most. ✚
abrasion, ulceration, scarring and infection.
“tear film and the cornea together are responsible for a big part of optical clarity,”
one Patient’S VieW
says Dr. Kim ireland, an ophthalmologist with Milwaukee eye care associates. More
than 50 percent of the refractive power of the eye comes from the cornea and tear film, WHitefisH Bay resident Brenda Hurd
while 40 percent comes from the lens. When the tear film is not healthy, it can affect
was diagnosed with dry eye perhaps 25
the cornea.
years ago.
“Dry eye motivates a lot of people to come into the office, especially when it affects
“I had dry eyes all the time,” says Hurd,
vision, work or quality of life,” ireland says. an eye exam can help determine your blink
whose problem turned out to be caused
by Sjogren’s syndrome. “They weren’t red
rate, the quality of your tear film and the areas of your eye that may lack tear film.
at all, but my vision was very blurry.”
The condition can result from a variety of internal or external problems. it’s been linked
Even after she started using eye
to antihistamines, decongestants, sleeping pills, pain relievers, diuretics, beta blockers, drops 10 or 12 times a day, she got only
oral contraceptives, antidepressants and even long-term use of contact lenses. temporary relief. Then she tried prescription
Disorders such as lupus, Parkinson’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, rosacea and sjogren’s
Restasis, which worked for a few days,
syndrome can cause dry eye. eyelid anatomy and inflammation can also be to blame. re-
but became very uncomfortable. After that
fractive surgery, including lasiK, can cause dry eye that lasts up to 12 months after the
came punctal plugs, two in each eye, but
they caused too much tearing.
procedure. During periods when we blink less, such as while reading, driving or working
Today she benefits from one plug in
on the computer, our eyes get drier, too.
each eye, plus Bausch & Lomb’s dry-eye
Dry eye is more common after age 50, especially for women. “i’ve got lots of patients
drops during the day and a heavier, oilier
with dry eye,” says Dr. Thomas bloom, an ophthalmologist who’s on staff at columbia eye drop, Refresh Celluvisc, at bedtime. ✚
20 › Milwaukee Magazine › HealthMatters 2010 ›
milwaukeemagazine.com
1109_HM_Eyes.indd 20 9/21/09 11:14:17 AM
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