Q: Dear Karen, I saw your picture today on the forum...you are so beautiful...but I already knew this from your letters.
Again thanks for the information...now I have another question. I met a young woman from Sri Lanka who came here with her father to get medical help. Back in her country they gave her the wrong medication and she was left with a condition called "Dry Eye Syndrome"....she was in England but her father was not happy with the treatment an brought her here.
Any light you can shed on this would be greatly appreciated...they are staying with friends of mine in Beacon.
Thank you from my heart
A: Thank you so much for the compliment. It seems you really enjoy caring about people. Perhaps you want to learn more to better be able to help your friends. Of course you are always welcome to write and ask, but if you ever want resources to help you learn more, I would be happy to help with that. We offer a lot of free information on our websites, including an
online course by Susun and our
forum where I learn so much daily! And of course there are
books and
correspondence courses.... I just hear, in all your emails to me, your enthusiasm and desire to help so many you care about...
I have never heard of dry eye syndrome, except what I find online. It seems it is quite common. Do you know what medication she took and how this caused the dry eye syndrome?
"Tears are comprised of three layers. The mucus layer coats the cornea, the eye's clear outer window, forming a foundation so the tear film can adhere to the eye. The middle aqueous layer provides moisture and supplies oxygen and other important nutrients to the cornea. This layer is made of 98 percent water along with small amounts of salt, proteins and other compounds. The outer lipid layer is an oily film that seals the tear film on the eye and helps to prevent evaporation."
"Dry eye syndrome has several causes. It occurs as a part of the natural aging process, especially during menopause; as a side effect of many medications, such as antihistamines, antidepressants, certain blood pressure medicines, Parkinson's medications, and birth control pills; or because you live in a dry, dusty or windy climate. If your home or office has air conditioning or a dry heating system, that too can dry out your eyes. Another cause is insufficient blinking, such as when you're staring at a computer screen all day.
"Dry eyes are also a symptom of systemic diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, rosacea or Sjogren's syndrome (a triad of dry eyes, dry mouth, and rheumatoid arthritis or lupus).
"Long-term contact lens wear is another cause; in fact, dry eyes are the most common complaint among contact lens wearers. Recent research indicates that contact lens wear and dry eyes can be a vicious cycle. Dry eye syndrome makes contact lenses feel uncomfortable, and the rubbing of the lenses against the conjunctiva seems to be a cause of dry eyes.
"Incomplete closure of the eyelids, eyelid disease and a deficiency of the tear-producing glands are other causes. Tears are composed of three layers: the outer, oily, lipid layer; the middle, watery, lacrimal layer; and the inner, mucous or mucin layer. Each layer is produced by a different part of the eye (the lacrimal gland produces the lacrimal layer, for example), so a problem with any of those sources can result in dry eyes.
"Dry eye syndrome is more common in women, possibly due to hormone fluctuations. Recent research suggests that smoking, too, can increase your risk of dry eye syndrome."
There are various suggestions for solutions, including drops of artificial tears and plugs to block the duct that allows the tears to flow out. It is mentioned that if medication is the cause it will usually resolve itself once off the medication. If there is not serious concern I would look simply first at the frequency of blinking, being well hydrated and having a strong supply of good oils in one's body. Reading the above description of tears makes me think the latter is definitely not to be overlooked.
This is a great descriptive site too:
http://www.theschepens.org/dry_eye_fact_sheet.htm. Please note some of these mention a few more serious concerns that could be the real cause, though also mention dry eyes is very common and most often resolved with a simple solution.
I wouldn't even consider surgery or blocking ducts until all other options are explored well. Are you familiar with
Susun's 6 steps of healing, also called Seven Medicines? It is a great way to sort out all the options and work with the more gentle approaches first, then even if taking more aggressive routes, work one's way back to the simple nourishing ones. Please let me know if I can help you sort and your friend sort through these webpages of information. Again I would start simple - see if it resolves off the medication, increase fluid and lipid intake, and be sure to blink more often than one does staring at a computer screen.
lots of love to you and happy new year!
Karen Joy
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