What is dry eye? Op. Dr. Tolga Uçar

Today, I’d like to share some information with you about dry eye.

What is dry eye?
Dry eye is a condition that occurs when the tear film—which keeps the surface of our eyes lubricated—is either insufficient in quantity or poor in quality. What are the symptoms of dry eye?
Patients often describe their symptoms with phrases like: “My eyes burn and sting,” “It feels like there’s sand in my eyes,” or “It’s a sharp, stabbing pain, like a knife.” Many also say they get sleepy very quickly, or that they have trouble opening their eyes comfortably in the morning—like their eyelids are sticking. These are some of the most common ways dry eye presents itself. Who is most likely to experience dry eye?
Nearly half of the patients who visit our clinic report complaints related to dry eye. While it can affect anyone, certain groups of people are more prone to developing the condition. For example, we see dry eye more frequently in women after menopause. While it occurs in both men and women, it tends to be more common in women. It’s also seen more often in individuals with certain medical conditions—especially connective tissue diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or Sjögren’s syndrome. Dry eye is also more common in people who use computers for extended periods or work in professions that require keeping the eyes open for long stretches—such as drivers. Normally, we blink at least 12 times per minute. However, in professions like software developers, accountants, or bankers—where individuals focus intensely on screens—this blink rate can drop to just 2 or 3 times per minute. As a result, dry eye is significantly more common in these occupational groups. So how is it diagnosed? The diagnosis is actually quite simple, but what matters most to us is the patient’s symptoms. There are a couple of tests we use to detect dry eye, and with these, we can confirm the diagnosis and then proceed with treatment. In treatment, artificial tears are commonly used; however, sometimes they are not sufficient. In such cases, we prescribe supportive medications known as immunomodulators, such as cyclosporine-based drugs. And if those are still not enough, we may turn to a method called autologous serum therapy, which involves preparing eye drops from the patient’s own blood. There are patients with a condition known as severe blepharitis, which affects the base of the eyelashes. For these individuals, we strongly recommend eyelid hygiene and cleaning the lids with special shampoos. However, the most important point is that dry eye is typically a lifelong condition, and managing it can be quite challenging. Patients often go from doctor to doctor carrying bags full of medications in search of relief, and in many cases, they need to use artificial tear drops for the rest of their lives.

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