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The autonomic nervous system stimulates the lacrimal gland and other smaller glands at the edge of the eyelid to continuously produce lacrimal fluid. This constant tear film protects our eyes.
Sicca syndrome (dry eyes) is a syndrome that causes the eyes to dry out and is one of the most common diseases of the eyes. The syndrome is better known simply under the name “dry eyes”, which already describes the symptoms to the greatest extent. A kind of dehydration in the eye. The syndrome often leads to the discomfort of dry eyes or to dryness of the cornea and conjunctiva in the eye or the absence of lacrimal fluid.
Every second to fifth patient who visits an ophthalmologist complains of a dry eye or dry cornea. Often associated with the absence of tear fluid. It is striking that more women than men suffer from Sicca syndrome (dry eyes). It is suspected that the syndrome of dry eyes and the cornea occur during menopause due to the hormonal change.
Sicca syndrome or dry eyes is sometimes referred to as Sjögren’s syndrome, but this description of the disease of the eye is not entirely correct.
Sicca syndrome and dry eyes are often referred to as Sjögren’s syndrome, but this is not entirely true.
Sjögren’s syndrome is actually an autoimmune disease. This syndrome causes damage to the tear and salivary glands and is the cause of dry eyes. In addition, Sjögren’s syndrome is classified in the rheumatoid disease family.
In short, even if Sicca syndrome is often referred to as Sjögren’s syndrome, this is not correct, even if Sjögren’s syndrome can cause dry eyes.
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There are two main causes of dry eye or cornea:
Although there are many other causes of dry eye, these two are the most common and most likely complaints and reasons due to the tear film why dry eye syndrome can occur.
Other possible explanations for how this syndrome occurs in patients would be an incorrect composition of the tear fluid (tear film) – this can be caused, for example, by a dysfunction of the so-called meibomian glands and chronic inflammation of the eyelids. But blinking too rarely can also be the cause – because every blink distributes the tear film over the entire eye again and again. Thus, long screen work favours, for example, dry eyes, since reduced blinking frequency leads to a disturbance of the tear film structure. This is called office eye syndrome.
The tear film should remain on the eye for 10 seconds after each blink. The ophthalmologist can examine whether it ruptures too early with a slit lamp.
In some cases, dry eyes and dry corneas are caused by external influences such as wearing contact lenses. Air conditioning, the blower in the car or dry heating air also promote irritation and drying of the eyes. Smoke and any kind of draught can also interfere with the wetting of the eye.
Especially in old age, tear production also decreases. In addition, women are affected more often than men – as the female sex hormone estrogen can interfere with tear production.
However, these complaints are rather minor, so a distinction is made in the proper sense only between the two causes of the syndrome listed above. The insufficient production of the tear film (tear fluid), or the evaporation of the tear film. This quickly leads to a dry eye.
A commonality of all causes and complaints in the development of Sicca syndrome is damage to the tear film or tear fluid. As a result of this damage, the eye is exposed to the environment and inflammation and dehydration of the eyes are more common. The syndrome develops. Read more about the subject of the eye!
Symptoms of dry eye can vary from patient to patient. Not every person who suffers from dry eyes must also have the same symptoms of the syndrome.
The most common symptoms of dry eyes are usually:
Sicca syndrome can be attributed to various diagnostic methods in different stages and forms.
Characteristic of the mild sicca syndrome (dry eyes) is that the discomfort and symptoms such as dry cornea can improve after a rest period. The eyes can thus partially recover.
The slightly pronounced Sicca syndrome develops when working for a long time in front of the PC. After long hours on the screen, there is a feeling of dryness and a foreign body sensation in the eye. These may be the first signs of sicca syndrome.
Severe sicca syndrome occurs as a result of other diseases (rheumatic diseases) or as a side effect of taking certain medications.
Symptoms of the syndrome include pain in the eye, deterioration of vision, feeling of pressure, stuck eyes, strong foreign body sensation, impairment of performance and dry eyes. In addition, there is the absence of the tear film or tear fluid.
Dry eyes can also develop as a result of a disease of the eyes or the entire body. The most common pre-existing conditions of a patient that can subsequently lead to wetting disorders of the eye are:
During the slit lamp examination, the doctor obtains an overview of the condition of the external eye and the eye surface of the patient. He pays attention to whether there are signs of mucus threads, redness or a frothy secretion. These are usually the first symptoms of sicca syndrome.
In this test, the doctor attaches a thin strip of paper to the patient’s eye surface. The strip absorbs the tear fluid (tear film) of the eye surface and shows the doctor how much fluid the eye produces.
This test makes it possible to assess the stability of the tear fluid. For this purpose, a luminous liquid is introduced into the patient’s eye. As soon as the patient blinks, you can tell if there are gaps in the tear fluid or not.
Sicca syndrome is curable. There are several ways to treat dry eyes. In any case, the causes of dry eyes should be determined first. This makes it easier to treat the respective form of Sicca syndrome. An examination of the surface of the eye should be performed.
Anyone who complains of irritated and dry eyes or the absence of lacrimal fluid should first and foremost avoid dry room air and smoky rooms. Fresh air is extremely good for the eye and can already help against dry eyes, which already suffer from Sicca syndrome.
The most common treatment method for the discomfort of dry eyes is the treatment with tear replacements. As the name suggests, artificial tears are created here, which are intended to moisturize and keep the eye moisturized in a natural way.
An own serum can be produced for people with dry eyes, who hardly tolerate various preparations or do not tolerate them at all. This serum is obtained from one’s own blood and is an alternative to the tear substitute.
Cyclosporin-A is one of the agents used in dry eyes due to its anti-inflammatory effect.
There is also the possibility of antioxidant therapy for dry eye syndrome. This procedure involves applying a special liquid to the surface of the eye that protects the eye from exhaust fumes, UV light, etc.
For a longer-term, lasting solution to the problem of dry eyes, the E-EYE treatment is suitable. This will protect your eyes from being dry for a longer period of time. Sicca syndrome can thus be treated well. The surface of the eye remains moistened for longer.
Dry eyes can occur not only due to Sicca syndrome, but also due to laser treatment.
If you do not want to use eye drops every day to treat dry eyes, the E-EYE treatment can provide a remedy for the syndrome.
Here, the eye is specially treated with a special gel. As a result, the eye is moistened again and other forms of treatment can be completely dispensed with.
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Laser Eye Surgery, Diagnostics & Consultations on Ophthalmology at the Bányai Laser Eye Center – Dr. Liliana Bányai
In order to treat Sicca syndrome, the patient should first resort to eye drops. Many doctors rely on hyaluronic acid eye drops for the eye surface. These drops help the patient’s eye produce tear fluid and keep the eye moist.
However, the patient should refrain from self-medicating the syndrome. It is always advisable to first consult a doctor as a patient and have the eyes examined carefully.
Sicca syndrome is not curable. However, it is very treatable.
Sjögren’s syndrome is only dangerous in rare cases, when it attacks and damages the patient’s lungs, kidneys, blood vessels and nervous system. The patient should consult not only the ophthalmologist, but also an internist in rheumatology, should the patient suffer from Sjörgen syndrome.
To determine whether a patient suffers from Sjörgn syndrome, the patient must go to the doctor. This examines the blood. A tissue sample from the patient can also clarify the question of whether the patient suffers from Sjörgen syndrome.
If a patient experiences the following symptoms, he is likely to suffer from dry eyes:
If a patient suffers from dry eyes, it is also possible that this patient will suffer from a visual impairment. Nevertheless, in most cases, dry eyes are harmless to the patient.
