Do I have Dry Eye Syndrome?

Written by Kristin Wheeler, RN • February 10, 2023

Do I have Dry Eye Syndrome?

Do you experience any of the following symptoms in your eyes:

Itching or redness
Have a gritty or sandy feeling
Burning or pain
Swollen or irritated eyelids
The sensation that something is in your eye that should not be there

These can all be signs that you might have dry eye syndrome.

Dry Eye Syndrome is one of the most common reasons people visit the eye doctor. The severity can vary from being a mild annoyance to being quite uncomfortable and affecting your daily activities.

Over 58% of the general population have symptoms of dry eye syndrome. Most people have mild symptoms, but 30% of those affected will have moderate issues, and 12% will suffer from severe symptoms that can affect their quality of life (5).

How Tears Work

Tears are made in glands above your eyes, and blinking washes these tears over your eyes. The tears help clean any bacteria or foreign material and drain out of the tear ducts found in the inner corner of the eyes.

Tears generally keep your eyes moist and healthy; they create a tear film over your eye composed of three different layers (oil, water, and mucous), which all work together to maintain moisture and help you have good vision.

Dry eye can occur if you have any issues with the production of tears or poor quality of the tears; this imbalance can then lead to inflammation and damage to the eye surface. (2,4)

Are you at higher risk for Dry eye?

Dry Eye Syndrome can occur in anyone, but you may be at higher risk if you have any of the following:

Age 50 or more
Female
A diet low in Omega 3 Fatty Acids (found in salmon, walnuts, and chia seeds) or Vitamin A (found in leafy green vegetables, carrots, cantaloupe, and eggs)
Wear contacts
Look at a computer screen for extended periods
Take certain medications like diuretics (“water pills,” usually prescribed for blood pressure), beta-blockers (usually for heart problems or blood pressure), anti-histamines (usually for allergy or cold symptoms), sleeping pills, or anxiety and antidepressant medicine
Have certain diseases like thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or Sjogren’s Syndrome
History of refractory surgery (like LASIK) (1,2)

Diagnosing Dry Eye Syndrome

Your eye doctor can diagnose dry eye syndrome with a complete eye exam.

They will assess your eyelids, cornea, and your blinking under a bright light. They may also put in eyedrops which will dye your tears and then assess your eyes under a blue light which checks the tear film. If the tears break apart quickly, they are unstable, indicating dry eye. This dye can also identify problems on the surface of the eye. (5)

Treatments

The recommended treatment for dry eye syndrome will depend on how severe it is found to be.

Initially, a person may be advised to use over-the-counter artificial tears or rewetting drops; these can be used as often as needed. Other suggestions would be lifestyle changes

avoiding airflow to the face/eyes (fans used at night, heaters blowing in the car, hairdryers)
reducing screen time
using a humidifier when the weather is colder to provide more moisture in the air

Lid hygiene (warm compresses to the eyes and lid scrubs) and getting Omega 3 fatty acids in your diet can also be recommended.

Other treatments that may be recommended for more moderate and severe symptoms are

eye ointments and gels
punctal plugs (temporary or permanent plugs put into the tear ducts to help keep the moisture on the eye)
moisture goggles, pulsed light therapy
prescription eye drops or steroid medications
surgical procedures in some situations (3)

Other Preventative Strategies

Drink plenty of water.
Wear protective / wraparound glasses when out in the sun and wind.
Avoid alcohol and smoking.
Take frequent breaks from screen time – use the 20-20-20 rule (every 20min of screen time, look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds). (5)
Keep the computer screen at or below eye level, so you do not need to open your eyes as wide – this may help the tears remain longer in your eyes. (4)
Eat a healthy diet that includes omega-3 fatty acids.

References

Bio:

Kristin Wheeler, RN has been a nurse for 28 years, most recently working in a Weight and Wellness Center which specializes in bariatrics and obesity treatment. She has over 10 years of experience working in family practice and worked as a care coordinator for patients with chronic and complex health needs. Kristin has worked in acute care settings, homecare, ambulatory care, and specialty areas.

Thank you for reading Patient Education Essentials, the Write Shift RN blog.

Disclaimer: This article was written as a guest post for Write Shift RN LLC's blog. The information in it may not be wholly fact-checked or edited, allowing the reader to see the writer's work and skills firsthand. This information is not intended as medical advice. It is for informational and educational purposes only. Always talk to your doctor or other qualified healthcare providers about any questions or concerns you may have regarding medical conditions.

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Steroid Injections vs. PRP

By Kristina Van Winkle • October 7, 2024

A Comparative Overview for Pain Management Steroid injections and Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections are two commonly used pain management treatments. While both aim to alleviate pain and promote healing, they have different mechanisms of action and long-term effects . What Are Steroid Injections ? Corticosteroids are potent drugs used extensively across various medical fields to manage a broad spectrum of conditions, making them one of the most widely prescribed drug classes in the world. They can be administered via nearly every route, including direct injection into painful or inflamed joints. "Corticosteroids" typically refers to the class of drugs that produce glucocorticoid effects. Glucocorticoids are stress hormones that regulate numerous physiologic processes within the body. They have vasoconstrictive, immunosuppressive, and anti-inflammatory effects and play a role in metabolism. What do steroid injections treat? Corticosteroids function by suppressing the immune system and reducing inflammation within the body. They inhibit the production of the body's pro-inflammatory chemicals, leading to decreased inflammation and, consequently, pain. They are prescribed for hundreds of medical conditions, including: Allergic and autoimmune disorders Adrenocortical secretion disorders Infections and inflammation Pathologic hypoglycemia Organ and graft rejections Neurological disorders Hypercalcemia Blood disorders Skin disorders Shock What are the side effects of steroid injections? Although steroids are known to some as “wonder drugs,” they impact various bodily systems, including metabolism, water and electrolyte balance, the central nervous system, and blood cells. As a result, they are associated with many adverse side effects, especially when administered in large doses or over extended periods. Adverse effects may occur in up to 90% of individuals who take them for longer than sixty days. These side effects may include: Suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis Gastrointestinal disturbances Osteoporosis and fractures Psychiatric disturbances Carpal tunnel syndrome Cardiovascular disease Immunosuppression Cushingoid features Hyperglycemia Skin disorders Glaucoma Myopathy Cataracts Diabetes The risk of adverse side effects is particularly high when taken systemically. However, side effect occurrences vary when administered as local injections for pain management. Data indicates that steroid injections into joints and the spine can produce systemic effects that can last for weeks. When assessing the risk factors associated with steroid injections, healthcare providers must consider all types and doses of steroids the person is taking, including both oral and injectable forms. Additionally, special caution is advised for certain populations, such as those who may undergo surgery soon, postmenopausal women, and individuals with diabetes. What is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) ? Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections use an individual's own blood to promote cellular regeneration. Through the extraction and reinjection of platelets, growth factors, and other bioactive proteins from the person's blood, PRP therapy offers long-lasting improvements, sustained pain relief, and enhanced tissue function. What do PRP injections treat? PRP injections can stimulate healthy cell growth, reduce inflammation, promote tissue repair, form new blood vessels, rejuvenate the skin and hair, and accelerate recovery after a traumatic injury. It can treat a wide range of conditions, including: Pain resulting from traumatic injury or degenerative conditions such as arthritis and chronic back pain Musculoskeletal conditions Tendinopathies and tears Compressive neuropathy Scars and stretch marks Osteochondral lesions Rheumatoid arthritis Erectile dysfunction Muscular injuries Plantar fasciitis Vaginal atrophy Osteoarthritis Epicondylitis Infertility Psoriasis Wounds Bursitis Vitiligo What are the side effects of PRP? Since PRP is derived from the person's own blood, the risk of allergic reactions or rejection is significantly lower compared to other injectables, such as steroids. PRP typically does not cause major side effects, though you may experience some soreness or bruising at the injection site. In rare cases, potential side effects may include: Tissue damage Nerve injuries Bleeding Infection Comparison of Steroid Injections and PRP Injections A study in the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research compared steroid injections with PRP injections in patients with mild to moderate symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA). The findings indicated that both treatments were safe and effective in improving short-term pain and functioning, with no significant differences observed. However, PRP therapy demonstrated superior outcomes in the long term, with benefits extending up to one year. Additionally, a literature review in Cureus Journal of Medical Science analyzed multiple studies comparing steroid injections with PRP in lumbar spondylosis and sacroiliac arthropathy. The review found that PRP was equally as effective, if not superior, to steroid injections in the short term. Neither treatment was associated with major complications, and there were no significant differences in minor complications between the two. The review concluded that both PRP and steroid injections are safe and effective for treating lumbar spondylosis and sacroiliac arthropathy, with some evidence that PRP may offer more benefits in the long term. Research has confirmed that both steroid and PRP therapy are valuable options for pain management and tissue healing. Steroid injections offer potent anti-inflammatory benefits that can provide immediate relief. However, their systemic side effects and limited duration of efficacy should be carefully considered, especially in high-risk populations. While PRP may take longer to show results, its long-term benefits make it an increasingly popular choice for treating various conditions. Ultimately, the choice between these treatments should be based on the specific needs of the individual patient, with careful attention to the patient's medical history. Thank you for reading the Write Shift RN blog. If you need an experienced RN writer for your health or healthcare educational content, contact me !