"Sand in the eyes": what does it mean, reasons, treatment

The feeling of "sand in the eyes" is one of the main complaints of patients with an ophthalmologist. Often people first try to cope with this problem themselves( use different drops, wash their eyes with infusions of herbs).But after unsuccessful attempts all the same address to the doctor.

Despite the fact that the medicine is constantly developing, various modern methods of treatment and prevention of eye diseases are being developed, an increasing number of people come to the oculist with the question: "In the eyes, as if sand: what to do?".This feeling brings huge inconvenience to people. In addition to discomfort, redness of the eyeball, and even unbearable pain can be observed. In the article we will consider in more detail such a symptom as sand in the eyes: what does it mean, the causes of the appearance and the methods of treatment.

Dry eye syndrome

The feeling of sand in the eyes in medicine is called the dry eye syndrome. This is a condition where the cornea is not sufficiently moistened due to the fact that quality and amount of tear fluid are impaired. Burning sensations, cuts, a feeling of sand in the eyes, increased teardrop - these are the manifestations of the dry eye syndrome. To diagnose this disease, many tests are used: biomicroscopy, crystallography of tear fluid, tests of Schirmer and Norn. These and other diagnostic methods, as well as methods of treatment, are discussed below.

More on Dry Eye Syndrome

To fully answer the question: "Sand in the eyes: what does this mean?", It is important to know the following information.

This disease is a very common condition for many patients who come for help to an ophthalmologist. A characteristic feature of this syndrome is the lack of moisture in the cornea of ​​the eye. This disease affects approximately 13-18% of the population. Of these, almost 70% are representatives of the fair sex. With age, the likelihood of the appearance of dry eye syndrome increases. People under the age of 50 experience a feeling of sand in the eyes in 12% of cases of contacting the doctor, and after 50 years this percentage increases to 67%.

In a normal healthy state, a continuous, thin tear film is located on the anterior surface of the eyeball. There are three layers in its structure. Due to the upper layer, the upper eyelid can freely slide over the surface of the eyeball. The second layer contains dissolved electrolytes and organic compounds that remove various foreign bodies from the eye. In addition, thanks to this layer, the immune defense of the cornea is formed. The third( mucinous) layer is in direct contact with the cornea, due to which it has a smooth and smooth surface, binds to the tear film and ensures a high quality of the human vision.

Tear film is broken every 10 seconds. Therefore, the eyelid glides over the eyeball, renews the tear fluid and restores its integrity. When the tear film is ruptured too often, the surface of the cornea experiences dryness, a feeling of sand in the eyes and a dry eye syndrome develops.

Sand in the eyes: causes of

Any disease has its causes of appearance. Dry eye syndrome develops because of the small amount of tear fluid that must treat the cornea and maintain its integrity. Therefore, when the patient runs to the doctor with the question: "In the eyes as if sand: what to do?", First of all it is necessary to determine the cause of this symptom in the client.

The main causes of the appearance of sand in the eyes include:

1. Autoimmune diseases( Sjögren's syndrome).Endocrine dysfunction( menopause).
2. Various renal pathologies.
3. Skin diseases.
4. Infectious diseases.
5. Exhaustion of the body.
6. Pregnancy.

In addition to the above reasons, dry eyes, which are so worried by a huge number of patients, can be caused by eye diseases or surgery, which has interfered with the activity of tear film.

In addition to various diseases, against which there is a sensation of sand in the eyes, dry eye syndrome may appear under the influence of external factors that disrupt the stability of the tear film. To such factors carry:

1. The effect of dry air from fans and air conditioners.
2. Long work at the computer.
3. Uninterrupted TV viewing.
4. Incorrect selection or use of contact lenses.
5. Environmental problems.

Sand in the eyes, the treatment of which we will consider below, can also occur against the use of certain medications and the use of eye drops that dry the cornea.

Syndrome of dry eyes can develop due to rare blinking movements, genetic predisposition, age over 40 years and belonging to the beautiful sex. All these risk factors must be considered when determining the true cause of the syndrome in each patient individually.

Classification of dry eye syndrome

Dry eye syndrome is classified according to three characteristics. Let us consider each of them in detail.

The pathogenesis of dry eye syndrome occurs:

1. Due to a decrease in the volume of tear fluid.
2. Due to the rapid process of evaporation of the tear film.
3. Combined effect of the above two factors.

According to the etiology of the doctor, the syndrome is distinguished:

1. Symptomatic.
2. Syndrome.
3. Artificial.

The severity of the disease:

1. Light form.
2. Average severity.
3. Heavy form.
4. Extremely heavy.

So, we briefly considered such a thing as sand in the eyes: what does this mean, the causes of the occurrence and the classification. Next, we will dwell in detail on the symptoms and treatment of the dry eye syndrome.

Symptoms of the disease

Dry eye syndrome has many different symptoms. All of them, as a rule, depend on the severity of the disease and each patient manifests itself in different ways. The main symptom is the feeling that something has got into the eye( dust, sand).Then there is redness of the eye, rubbing and burning, increased lacrimation, sensitivity to bright light, eye fatigue. Vision becomes vague, and during the use of eye drops, the patient experiences severe sharp pain.

All symptoms are more noticeable later in the evening. A dry, dirty room, cold, wind and long work at the computer or with small details can trigger the symptoms of dry eye syndrome.

If this disease does not begin to be treated on time, it can lead to irreversible consequences and even to the need for surgical intervention.

Diagnosis of the disease

To begin with, in order to correctly diagnose dry eye syndrome, the ophthalmologist should interview the patient, collect complaints, evaluate all the symptoms. These data may be grounds for establishing a preliminary diagnosis. Then the doctor should conduct an examination of the patient, assess the condition in which the skin of the eyelids is located, whether they close enough, how often the patient blinks. After a thorough examination, it is necessary to conduct a biomicroscopy of the eye, which will help determine the state of the eyeball, cornea and tear film that covers it.

Next, a number of laboratory tests should be performed:

1. Fluorescein instillation test - a special coloring solution is used that allows you to see the places of rupture of tear film and open corneal areas.
2. The Schirmer test - allows you to determine how quickly a lacrimal fluid develops.
3. The Norn test - shows how good a tear film is and how quickly it evaporates.

After a complete ophthalmologic examination, the doctor diagnoses and prescribes treatment.

Treatment of the disease

So, we considered such a disease as the dry eye syndrome, its main symptom is the sand in the eyes, what this means, the reasons for the appearance, the methods of diagnosis. Further details will focus on the treatment of the disease.

The course of treatment for dry eye syndrome is aimed at eliminating the factors that led to the disease, ensuring the quality and timely moistening of the cornea, maintaining the integrity of the tear film and preventing the development of other, more complex eye diseases.

Most often, with dry eye syndrome and the sensation of sand in the eyes, doctors advise the instillation of eye drops. They help restore the surface of the eyeball, improve its condition and create a strong tear film.

If the patient has a mild form of the disease, then as a rule, drops with low viscosity are prescribed. With medium and severe form of the syndrome, drugs with medium and high viscosity( gel) are recommended.

Also, ophthalmologists recommend the drip of anti-inflammatory drugs in the treatment of dry eye syndrome. Sometimes additionally prescribed the use of antihistamines.

Surgical intervention in treatment is necessary when it is necessary to increase the inflow of tear fluid.

There are also innovative methods for treating dry eye syndrome. Such methods include, for example, the transplantation of the salivary glands from the oral cavity into the cavity of the eye.

Prevention and prognosis of the disease

Even with a mild form of dry eye syndrome, quality and timely treatment is necessary. Constant ignoring of symptoms and refusal to visit a doctor can lead to complications, in particular, to partial or complete loss of vision.

To prevent the appearance of the syndrome, you need to regularly check with the doctor, take the necessary amount of liquid per day, eat right, and with constant eye strain do preventive gymnastics of the eyes.

Drops to eliminate the sensation of sand in the eyes

Sand in the eyes is one of the main and most unpleasant symptoms of the dry eye syndrome. Consider several types of eye drops that will help get rid of this symptom:

1. Moisturizing - will help moisturize the eyes and get rid of the sensation of sand in the eyes. To such drops carry "Sante", "Artificial tear" and others.
2. Antibacterial - will help to eliminate irritation of the eyeball. This, for example, "Albucid", "Levomycetin."
3. Keratoprotectors - should be used in the presence of corneal injuries due to a foreign body in the eye or contact lenses.

When wearing contact lenses the cornea experiences stress daily, microtraumas appear on its surface, accompanied by painful symptoms, sensation of a foreign body in the eye, lacrimation and reddening of the conjunctiva. To restore the tissues of the ocular surface, after trauma, as an auxiliary therapy, agents with dexpanthenol, a substance with a regenerating effect on tissues, in particular, Korneregel eye gel, can be used. It has a healing effect due to a maximum concentration of 5% * dexpantenol, and the carbomer it contains prolongs the contact of dexpanthenol with the ocular surface due to the viscous texture. Correleregel persists on the eye for a long time due to gel form, it is convenient in application, it penetrates into the deep layers of the cornea and stimulates the process of regeneration of the epithelium of the superficial tissues of the eye, promotes the healing of microtraumas and the elimination of the sensation of pain. The drug is applied in the evening, when the lenses have already been removed.

Price of eye drops to eliminate the feeling of sand in the eyes

We examined several types of eye drops that are most often prescribed for dry eye syndrome. But many patients are concerned about the cost of these drugs.

So, the most famous and often prescribed drops are "Albucid".Their price is low enough. In pharmacies in Russia it is about 60-80 rubles. In addition to these drops, Artificial Tears are often used. Their price is slightly higher than the previous ones. In Russian pharmacies, this drug can be found at a cost of 100 rubles. As you can see, all the drops are quite inexpensive, and almost everyone can afford them. And "Albucid", and "Artificial Tear", the price of which is very low, very high-quality drugs and will provide a worthy aid to your eyes.

Conclusion

So, in the article we considered such a disease as dry eye syndrome, its main symptoms, causes of appearance, ways of diagnosis and treatment. To avoid complications, it is very important not to delay the approach to the doctor, but immediately turn to him for help.

* 5% -maximum concentration of dexpanthenol among ophthalmic forms in the Russian Federation. According to the State Register of Medicines, State medical products and organizations( individual entrepreneurs), manufacturing and manufacturing of medical products, as well as data from open source producers( official sites, publications), April 2017 There are contraindications. It is necessary to read the instructions or consult an expert.