There is NO treatment for dry eye per se. There are various management strategies that can be used by the sufferer in conjunction with the advice of their eye care practitioner to reduce or eliminate the symptoms and signs of dry eye.

The goal of dry eye treatments is to rehydrate the surface of the eye, and hence relieve the troublesome symptoms. Clearly, if the cause of dry eye is an underlying disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, then the treatment of the latter may aid in the relief of ocular symptoms. In cases where symptoms are present as a result of hormone or vitamin deficiency, then replacement of the deficient component provides relief from ocular dehydration. However, treating the causative condition may not necessarily eliminate the dry eye problems and tear substitutes such as ROHTO® DRY EYE RELIEF are often required.

Dry eye problems caused as a result of medication can be reduced by the discontinuation of the causative medication, but this is not always possible, and the benefits and risks of discontinuation of the therapy need to be assessed. If drug therapy withdrawal is not possible, then the use of artificial tear solutions, such as ROHTO® DRY EYE RELIEF can prove useful.

There are three ways of helping with dry eye:

1. Preserving the existing tear flow and this can be helped by:

  Lowering the temperature in rooms to avoid tears evaporating more quickly or use an air humidifier to moisten the air.

  Avoid sitting directly in front of a heating source.

  Controlling your central heating as it can make the air quite dry.

  Blinking more often during tasks such as reading or computer work.

2. Using artificial tears:

  To help lubricate the eye so it becomes more comfortable.

  Eye drops are the most recommended treatment for people with dry eye.

  They also stop any damage to the front of the eye from prolonged dryness.

If you experience dry eye symptoms, ask your eye care practitioner or pharmacist about artificial tear drops such as ROHTO® DRY EYE RELIEF for use during the day.

By the way, don't confuse lubricating drops with the drops that only "get the red out". The latter can indeed make your eyes look better because they contain ingredients that reduce the size of the blood vessels on the surface of your eyes to "whiten" them. However they are not necessarily formulated to reduce dryness and irritation.

3. Preventing tears from draining away:

  Punctal occlusion (medical term for closing up) where blocking up the two drainage holes (punctata) in the lower eyelids stops the draining away of the tears. This is achieved by using temporary or permanent measures such as punctal plugs.

Other ways to help dry eye conditions

One way to avoid mild and occasional symptoms is to blink or close the eyes regularly, and to reduce the amount of time the eyes are looking at the same thing without a break (eye straining activity). In many cases, such as when being at work, simple avoidance techniques are not always possible. In this situation, the application of eye drop solutions such as ROHTO® DRY EYE RELIEF, can provide rapid and long-term relief from symptoms.

Try these exercises:

 Every 20 minutes, blink 10 times by slowly and firmly closing your eyes as if falling asleep (don’t screw your eyes up).

 Also try moving the eyes side to side and up and down a few times.

Both these techniques will help to naturally rewet your eyes.

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