Dry eye

Dry Eye or Dry Eye Disease is the most common eye disease and affects 15-50% of the population. Dry Eye Syndrome itself is considered Inflammation.

In recent years, due to the lifestyle with the increased exposure of our eyes to screens, computers, tablets and mobiles, but also to climate change with high temperatures and the use of air-condition, Dry Eye Disease affects an increasing percentage of the population.

It is important that Dr. Nikolaos Trakos examine you, who with his experience and expertise, but also as President of the International Society of Dacryology & Dry Eye, will stage the disease and give you the appropriate treatment.

What is Dry Eye?

Dry eye is a multifactorial disease, due to either the low tear production by the lacrimal glands, or excessive tear evaporation, or both, resulting in lacrimal layer disorder and inflammation.

What are the symptoms of dry eye disease?

It manifests itself with fatigue in the eyes, foreign body sensation, blurred vision, itching, burning sensation, tingling and, paradoxically, sometimes with tearing. Also, patients are bothered by bright lights. If you neglect it can lead to keratitis, an inflammation of the cornea and turn into a chronic problem or fall into a more severe stage. That’s why it’s important to treat it the right way, and not just take any drops from the pharmacy and say “ok, let it go”

An essential element of any surgical procedure, especially cosmetic surgery, is providing the patient with sufficient time for information.

What are the causes of dry eye disease?

Taking medication: Antihistamines for allergies, antidepressants, certain antihypertensives, antiparkinsonics, antiglaucoma eyedrops, isotretinoin for the treatment of severe acne can cause dry eye. Two other possible “culprits” are contraceptives and hormonal therapy.
PC and TV use: When we work in front of the computer or watch TV, the frequency with which we blink is reduced, resulting in increased tear evaporation and consequently dry eyes.

Diseases: in autoimmune diseases the body’s antibodies infect the lacrimal gland, resulting in reduced tear production.
Examples of autoimmune diseases include Sjogren syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis. Other causes are burns of the cornea and eyelids from chemicals In cases of blepharitis, tears also evaporate more easily.
It is also common in:
– Contact lens users.
– People with rheumatologic diseases.
– Postmenopausal women.
– Elderly people.

Why choose Dr. Trakos?

Dr. Trakos’ contribution to the field of anterior segment and cataract surgery, as well as to the treatment of vision problems, has changed the lives of many people by improving their sight and quality of life.

How is it treated?

If you are taking any of the above mentioned medicines, ask us if you have symptoms of dry eye caused by them.
While working on the computer, try to keep your eyes higher than the screen position: When looking with a slight inclination down, the opening of the eyelids and the surface of the tears evaporation are slightly smaller.
In mild situations, drops of artificial tears may help.
However, not all the drops are the same and each patient may need different drops depending on the stage of inflammation called dry eye, from another patient who also has dry eye.
The use of anti-inflammatory drops, such as topical cortisone drops without side effects or ciclosporin, may supplement the treatment.
Finally, omega-3 fatty acids due to their anti-inflammatory action help.

Invasive solutions.

For severe dry eye, placement of microscopic occlusion implants in the lacrimal sites (plugs) can help. So the few tears are not lost through the lacrimal duct, but are held on the surface of the eye to help moisturize it. The operation is performed in the clinic, lasts a few seconds and is painless.

That is why it is important that Dr. Nikolaos Trakos examines you as President of the International Society of Dacryology & Dry Eye will stage the disease and give you the appropriate treatment.