Anatom3D
ENCZDE
Download

Dry eye disease

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca · Syndrom suchého oka

What it is

Tears evaporate too fast or aren't made in enough quantity.

Symptoms & signs

  • Gritty burning eyes
  • watering paradoxically
  • blurred vision that clears on blinking
  • light sensitivity
  • screen-related worsening

🚩 Get help if…

  • see a doctor soon Painful red eye with light sensitivity
  • see a doctor soon Blurred vision that doesn't clear with blinking
  • see a doctor soon Dry mouth and joint pain too (Sjögren's)
  • see a doctor soon Eyelids that don't close fully

Where it strikes

Medical treatment

  • Preservative-free artificial tears
  • lipid-based drops
  • ciclosporin or lifitegrast
  • punctal plugs
  • treat blepharitis
  • varenicline nasal spray (Tyrvaya) — FDA-approved 2021
  • perfluorohexyloctane drops (Miebo) — FDA-approved 2023; sold as a medical device in the EU

Natural & lifestyle

  • 20-20-20 screen rule
  • warm compresses and lid hygiene
  • omega-3 — no benefit in the large DREAM trial not confirmed in trials
  • humidifier
  • reduce fan and air-con exposure
  • hydration

Emerging & experimental

  • Intense pulsed light for meibomian glands

Alternative, off-label & anecdotal

Approaches used outside the guidelines, with what their supporters report and what testing has found so far.

  • Omega-3 — the large DREAM trial found no benefit not confirmed in trials
  • Manuka honey eye drops — small trials early / small studies
  • Sea-buckthorn oil capsules — a trial reduced symptoms early / small studies

ICD codes