Dry eyes... another common condition among the elderly

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Dry eyes... another common condition among the elderly
Dry eye condition… to make it easier to understand, imagine that “the eye is like an engine; if the engine has no oil to lubricate it, the engine cannot function”. This dry eye condition is common not only among working-age people who use their eyes intensively but also among the elderly. Why is that…
Because dry eye occurs when the tear glands do not produce enough tears to lubricate the eyes, causing irritation. Common symptoms include burning eyes, gritty sensation, eye irritation, tearing, and feeling like there is a foreign object in the eye.

Why do dry eyes still have tearing?

Many people may wonder why dry eyes still produce tears. When our eyes are dry, the body signals to produce tears to reduce irritation, causing more tears than usual. However, the eyes still do not receive the moisture they need.

 

Does age and hormones affect it?

Dry eye can be caused by many factors. Increasing age causes blockage of oil glands, whether due to hormonal changes in the elderly, underlying diseases such as thyroid disease, arthritis, certain medications like antihistamines, diuretics for blood pressure, and degeneration of the meibomian glands, which produce tears to lubricate the eyes.

 

Prolonged dry eyes may cause corneal ulcers

If left untreated for a long time, the eyelids may pull the eyelashes down to poke the eyes, causing eyelid inflammation and corneal ulcers. It is best to see a doctor immediately if early symptoms are noticed, as it may affect daily life.

 

2 Techniques to increase moisture for the eyes in the elderly

Blink frequently but slowly and rest your eyes by changing posture for about 2-3 minutes or apply a cold compress to the eyes for 20 minutes to help increase moisture in the eyes.

Eat eye-nourishing foods such as bananas, which are high in potassium and sodium, helping to maintain the body’s water balance and keep the eyes moist. Legumes, especially walnuts, eat a handful daily, or tuna and salmon, which are rich in essential fatty acids and high in omega-3, an important component of tears.
Phyathai Hospital
Call center 1772

 

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