Dry Eye in Children

What is Dry Eye Syndrome and Why Do Doctors Sometimes Misdiagnose Children?

Dry eye syndrome occurs when eyes are unable to maintain healthy layers of tears. While dry eye syndrome is most commonly seen among the adult population, younger demographics are susceptible as well and symptoms can be just as severe in children as in adults. Because the condition is rare in children, doctors often rule out dry eye syndrome soon and patients are misdiagnosed. If your child is complaining about his or her eyes, pay attention. Be attuned to which complaints may indicate that your child needs treatment for dry eye syndrome.

What Can Cause Dry Eye in Children?There are a multitude of causes of dry eye in children. Dry eye can result from mucin deficiency, causing the eyes to dry out. Mucin deficiency often results from vitamin A deficiency so a balanced diet can help to prevent this. Lipid deficiencies can also be a factor. Excessive eye straining activities such as television watching, using a computer, and reading can also lead to dry eye symptoms. Finally, dry air conditions, contact lens use, and certain medications can contribute.

Symptoms:           

Parents might be tempted to rule out dry eye syndrome when a child does not specifically complain of dryness in or around the eye. Interestingly, however, many children suffering to dry eye syndrome do not explain their symptoms in terms of dryness. Rather, children are likely to complain that their eyes are “burning”, “scratching”, “itching”, or just plain irritated. If your child is complaining of such symptoms, dry eye syndrome is certainly a possible culprit. If your child’s symptoms tend to vary along with environmental changes, dry eye syndrome is even more likely. Dry eye patients will often experience exacerbated symptoms in dry or windy locations, and on airplanes where air humidity levels are significantly lower.

What to expect at the doctor’s office:

Expect to answer a series of questions with your child about your child’s symptoms. In addition, your doctor should ask you if your child ever sleeps with his or her eyes open, if your child suffers from any other conditions and if your child is taking any medications (which may contribute to dry eye symptoms). Finally, your doctor can order a Schrimer test to determine whether the eye is producing enough tears to stay moist. Generally, the test begins with the child’s doctor placing a testing strip inside the lower eyelid of each eye and having the child sit with both eyes closed for five minutes. The strips are then removed and the doctor measures how moist the strips are.

Treatment:
Treatment will vary depending on the specific cause of your child’s dry eye syndromes. Your child may be advised to change contact lenses, switch medications, cut back on eye straining activities, or improve his or her diet to include more vitamin A specifically. Antibiotics may be applied directly to the lid margin in small amounts. Finally, it is always important for dry eye patients to adhere to proper eyelid hygiene. Lid scrubs help keep lid margins clean and free from debris. OCuSOFT offers a great line of eyelid cleansers and scrubs for dry eye patient use.

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Is it Allergies or Dry Eye Syndrome? How to Tell and How to Treat

This time of year it can be hard to tell whether eye irritation and dryness is a result of fall ocular allergies or actual dry eye syndrome. While allergy symptoms can be relieved through many dry eye relief methods, treating the core issue is necessary for lasting relief so it is important to determine the root of your symptoms.

So how can you figure out which condition you’re suffering from in order to best approach treatment? Here are a few rules of thumb:

1. Perhaps the easiest way to determine the root of your symptoms is to consider when they occur. If your symptoms are seasonal, you can probably assume that allergies are to blame. If your symptoms are consistent or seem to fluctuate independently of weather patterns, however, you are likely confronting dry eye syndrome.

2. Look to your lids. If your lids are swollen and your symptoms occur in conjunction with nasal congestion, you are most likely suffering from allergies. Dry eye syndrome rarely manifests this way.

3. Is your vision blurry? If you are experiencing blurred vision, dry eye syndrome is very likely your culprit.

4. Do you eyes burn or itch? While allergies can cause a burning sensation in the eyes, burning is more common in patients with dry eye syndrome. Similarly, itching can occur whether you have allergies or dry eye syndrome, but is more common in allergy cases.

5. Still unsure? With dry eye syndrome, tear breakup time seems to be short, and you may experience bloodshot eyes. In addition, dry eye patients experience tear hyperosmolarity. Have your eye doctor check to see whether or not your osmolarity is normal to develop a clearer indication of what is causing your irritation.

Now what?
If it appears that allergies are your issue, talk to your doctor to consider medication options. If instead you are suffering from dry eye syndrome, realize there are many causes of dry eye syndrome. Blepharitis and MGD are key triggers. If this is your issue, consider an eyelid scrub to prevent clogging of the Meibomian glands along your eyelid. In addition, you may want to consider a lipsome spray. Ocusoft offers both eyelid cleansers, lidscrubs, and liposome sprays to promote proper eyelid hygiene.

Further, there are ways you can combat symptoms whether allergies or Blepharitis are at hand. Changes to your diet can be key as Omega-3 Fatty Acids can help stimulate tear production. MedOp’s Maxi Tears Dry Eye Formula works to relieve dry eyes with a blend of Omegas and vitamins. Tranquileyes goggles are an option as well. This product provides eye hydrating therapy to soothe and restore dry, tired eyes by creating a humid, warm environment which stimulates tear production and slow the evaporation of tears.

Getting in tune with the cause of your symptoms will help you gain control over them. For more dry eye treatments and general optical information, check us out on Facebook and Twitter, and see our Directory for product suggestions.

Causes of Dry Eye

Dry eye can manifest itself with a number of symptoms from pain and redness to heavy eyelids to an inability to cry. Blurred vision is a particularly concerning symptom of dry eye because while it is often a result of tear film dehydration, blurred vision can also be a symptom of other, more serious, medical conditions. Blurred vision is not a medical condition but is instead a symptom of underlying problems. It is associated with glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration, all of which must be seriously controlled. While it is very possible that your blurred vision is simply due to dry eye, checking with your doctor to make sure is always a wise idea, especially if the blurred vision continues as you properly treat your dry eye.

When is Dry Eye the Likely Culprit?

Before you visit your doctor, it is a good idea to think critically about your symptoms. Does your blurred vision worsen at the end of the day? Does it come and go? It is exacerbated after long periods in front of the computer of concentrating on a book? Does it improve when you blink liberally? Affirmative answers to these questions generally indicate that your dry eye syndrome might be to blame.

Why Does Dry Eye Cause Blurred Vision?

The tear film is important to protecting and lubricating the cornea, which transmits light. Dry eye sufferers have poor tear film quality and this can affect the transmission of light to the retina. When dry eye leads to dry spots on the cornea, blurred vision is a common result. Poor tear film moisture can also increase chances of bacteria growth and allergies, which can result in itchy and watery eyes and subsequent blurred vision.

What Else Could It Be?

If you don’t think dry eye is to blame, and you aren’t experiencing symptoms of glaucoma, cataracts or macular degeneration, here are some other potential explanations for your blurred vision. Migraine sufferers often report experiencing blurred vision just before experiencing a headache. Also, studies have shown that certain drugs, including heart medications, blood pressure medicine, and oral contraceptives can cause blurred vision. Ask your doctor if blurred vision is a side effect of any medication you might be taking. Very often, blurred vision is simply an indicator that you might need corrective lenses, or a new prescription if you are also wearing glasses or contacts. In any case, conversation with your doctor needs to occur if bothersome blurriness is impacting your life. Dry eye might be a factor, but it’s important to consider all options in order to maximize your chances of successful treatment.

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Solutions for Make-up Wearers with Dry Eye

Many wearers of cosmetic make-up report experiencing discomfort or irritation in their eyes. This discomfort can at times be exacerbated by sleep-deprivation, long computer usage, drinking, and smoking, and also by the increased allergens in the springtime.

Solution #1: Formulated Eye Drops
There are many solutions to this problem. The first solution is to apply eye drops formulated for treating dry eyes. According to dry eye experts, the best technique is to apply these drops when not wearing make-up. If there is make-up on the eyelid when drops are applied, this may cause additional irritation as the make-up and eye drops are mixed together and flow back into the eyes.

Solution #2: Eyelid Cleansing Wipes
Even after you clean the make-up off of your eyelids there may still be remaining make-up residue. For example, try the lid scrubs produced by OCuSOFT, the #1 doctor recommended brand.

Solution #3: Healthy Make-up Habits
These make-up strategies come from dry eye experts and are applicable to all make-up wearers, even those without dry eye:

• don't share make up
• throw make-up out after 3 months
• clean face before applying make-up
• remove make-up before going to sleep
• avoid glitter or powder (they worsen irritation to the eyes)

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