Cigarette smoke, fumes, dust and airborne particles are common irritants. In most patients, this condition is NOT associated with systemic disease. Symptoms include burning, stinging or a gritty sensation which may come and go depending on many factors. Itching, tearing and light sensitivity may bother other patients. Occasionally long strings of mucus can be stretched from a dry eye.
Treatment helps in most patients.
We cannot cure this condition, so treatment must be an ongoing project. The problem is that they only work for an hour or two, at best, and must be repeated at frequent intervals. Ointments last longer, but they blur vision and are most effective at night. Newer methods of treatment for seriously dry eyes are soft contact lenses in combinations with artificial tears. Sometimes a slow-release medicine under the lower lid is helpful as well.