Dry Eyes

Question 1

What auto-immune disease can cause dry eye’s?

Answer 1

Sjogren’s

Question 2

What component of eye drops can cause irritation and dryness to the eyes?

Answer 2

Preservatives- advice changing to different drops with different preservative

Advise single dose units which are not used repeatedly and so don’t contain preservatives

Question 3

What is the main treatment for dry eyes?

Answer 3

Ocular lubricants
Artificial tears
Dry eye drops

Question 4

Why are more viscous drops better than watery ones?

Answer 4

They spend a longer time on the eye surface

But more viscous solutions may blur vision

Question 5

What is punctal occlusion?

Answer 5

For very severe dry eyes- the punctum is obstructed and blocks off tear drainage

Question 6

What are autologous serum eye drops?

Answer 6

Eye drops made from the patients own serum- this is centrifuged. Only one bottle is used per day and they are kept frozen

Question 7

If drops aren’t working what should you consider checking?

Answer 7

The preservative as this can irritate and dry the eye.