Treatment for Dry Eyes

Replacing the Tears:

Replacing natural tears with artificial tears is the basis of treatment for dry eyes. Artificial tears are available without a prescription and are used as eye drops to lubricate the eyes and compensate for the missing moisture. There are many brands of artificial tears in the market, and many people try several different brands to find one which suits them best. The artificial tears may be used only once or twice a day, or as often as several times an hour. Solid inserts that gradually release lubricants during the day are also beneficial to some people.

Conserving the Tears

Conserving the naturally produced tears is another way of keeping the eyes moist. After bathing the eye’s surface, the tears enter a small opening in each lid, the pomatum, and drain through a small canal, the canaliculus, into the lachrymal sac and down the nasolachrymal duct into the nose. These channels may be closed, temporarily or permanently, by the ophthalmologist. The closure creates a reservoir of tears which allows the eyes to stay moist for longer periods of time.