Eyes are our windows to the world and hence are very precious indeed. We should always take good care of our eyes but many times in spite of taking proper precautions and care, some problems related to eyesight arise. The reason is more often than not old age or too much exertion. Dry eyes also trouble you mostly after you reach a certain age.

Our eyes need constant lubrication and moisture which is provided by tears. This helps to maintain the wetness and comfort of vision. These tears comprise of water –which acts as a moisture, oil- which act as a lubricator, mucus- which evenly spreads the fluid and antibodies –that contain proteins for saving eyes from infection. The special glands which are around the eyes secrete such tears. When there is a change or shortage in the amount of this fluid we feel dryness of eyes. Many times the dry eyes are also due to the overflowing tears which run from eyes.

Some of the symptoms arising due to dry eyes are:

• Gritty sensation
• Redness
• Pain
• Light sensitivity
• Blurring of vision
• A sensation of having sand or foreign body in the eyes 

Apart from the imbalance in the amount of tears, dry eyes are also caused by dry air of air conditioner heat or environmental changes. Some other regular causes which are responsible for creating dryness in eyes include:

• Aging process, especially after menopause in women
• Due to negative effects of medications like birth control pills or antihistamines
• Occurrence of tears reducing diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome

Treatments for dry eyes

Dry eyes do not have any cure but can be treated and the ailment can be covered up to some extent. You should always take any medication on the recommendation of an ophthalmic or an eye expert as eyes are very delicate and important part of our body and can get easily damaged.

The first step is to use an ointment or eye drops which can lubricate your eyes. Although there are so many eye drops and ointments available over the shelf, you should always get one recommended by your eye doctor as every product do not suit every person. If you have chronic problem of drying eyes you should use these ointments or drops when your eyes are feeling normal and pain free. For lubrication to eyes, these drops can be used during the night.

Temporary punctal occlusion is another painless way of treating dry eyes in which a plug is inserted into eyes to stop the draining of tears for some time so that the eyes get the needed lubrication and moisture.   Initially a plug is inserted as a trial to see whether such a procedure can be helpful. If it works permanent plug is inserted to block the drainage of tears. These plugs are made of silicon and this treatment is almost completely painless. This is termed as Permanent punctal occlusion.

Restasis was introduced in 2002 and has been approved by the FDA as the tear drops for dry eyes.