Dry Eye (Sicca Syndrome) – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options

July 18, 2024

Dry eye, also known as Sicca syndrome, is a common eye disease characterized by insufficient lubrication of the ocular surface. This lubrication disorder can be caused by a reduction in tear production or increased evaporation of the tear film. Both factors lead to a specific inflammatory reaction of the ocular surface, which can significantly impair well-being and the quality of vision.

Typical symptoms of dry eye

Dry eye can manifest itself through a variety of symptoms, including:

redness of the eyes
foreign body sensation
scratching and burning
mucus secretion
sensitivity to light
Tired eyes
Swollen eyelids
intolerance to contact lenses
problems with screen work
intolerance to cosmetics
Pain in drafts, on airplanes or in smoky air

Another paradoxical symptom is watery eyes, which can also be caused by impaired lubrication of the surface of the eye.

Causes of Dry Eye

Tear production is a complex process, and the causes of dry eyes are correspondingly diverse:

Underlying diseases: diabetes, thyroid diseases, chronic rheumatism or inflammatory vascular diseases.
Immunological diseases: Since the conjunctiva is part of the immune system, immunological diseases can affect tear production.
Taking medication: Long-term treatment with psychotropic drugs, sleeping pills, beta-blockers, hormones or anti-allergy drugs can lead to dry eyes.
Skin diseases and eye injuries: Injuries to the eyelids, eye surgery or skin diseases can also affect tear production.
Age: Especially in women, tear production decreases with age.
Environmental pollution: Ozone, fine dust, heated air, tobacco smoke and drafts can dry out the eyes.
Screen work: Working at a screen for long periods of time can lead to a reduced blinking frequency and thus to dry eyes.
Children: In children, dry eyes usually occur in connection with immunological diseases, diabetes, allergic conjunctival diseases or neurodermatitis.

Pathological changes in the tear film

Recent research has shown that changes in the tear film are often associated with inflammation of the ocular surface, which reduces the sensitivity of the ocular surface to touch. This decrease in sensitivity leads to reduced tear production and thus further damage to the ocular surface. A vicious cycle is created in which inflammation is both the cause and the consequence of dry eye.

Diagnosis of dry eye

Dry eye is diagnosed through various examinations:

Inspection of the facial and eyelid skin: The condition of the skin around the eyes and the eyelid margins is examined closely.
Observation of blink frequency and eyelid closure: The frequency of blinking and the completeness of eyelid closure are checked.
Schirmer test: The amount and composition of the tear film is measured using a filter paper strip that is hung in the conjunctival sac.
Slit lamp examination: This examination measures the stability and quality of the tear film by observing the time between blinking and the tear film breaking up.
Interferometry: The oil content of the tear film is assessed more precisely to determine the evaporation rate of the tear fluid.

treatment options

The treatment of dry eye depends on the severity and cause of the disease:

Artificial tears: Artificial tears are the most common treatment method. They moisten the surface of the eye and improve the quality of the tear film.
Special preparations: In more severe cases, special preparations or anti-inflammatory eye drops, such as cortisone or cyclosporine, can be used.
Increasing the amount of tears: In some cases, the amount of tears available can be increased by closing the tear drainage ducts.

Prevention and Lifestyle

The following measures can be helpful to prevent and alleviate symptoms:

Regular breaks: When working at a screen for long periods of time, take regular breaks and consciously blink.
Increase humidity: Use humidifiers to increase indoor humidity.
Eye care products: Avoid irritating cosmetics and switch to compatible products.
Healthy diet: A balanced diet can support eye health.

Support through dietary supplements

Our dietary supplement NOMORHE® Sicca offers a complementary option to support the treatment of dry eyes.

A recent scientific study at the University of Texas found that the symptoms of Sicca patients improved by 70% after just 90 days with a high intake of essential fatty acids. Essential fatty acids are omega-3 fatty acids that the body cannot produce itself. They are mainly found in cold-water fish such as salmon, herring and mackerel.

omega-3 fatty acids, as contained in NOMORHE® Sicca , improve the quality and quantity of tear fluid in dry eyes. The tears dry less quickly and remain on the eyes longer instead of evaporating.