Dry eye is a term used for a variety of tear film disorders that result in the inadequate wetting of the eye.

The characteristic symptom of ‘dry eye’ is scratchy or itchy feeling eyes that look red rimmed. However, some tear film disorders can actually result in watery eyes because the eye tries to compensate for the damage caused to it’s surface layer.

Hormones stimulate the production of tears and so hormonal changes associated with the menopause can be a risk factor for dry eye. As we age, we also produce fewer tears, which may explain why dry-eye is particularly common amongst older women.

Several medicines are associated with dry eye including antihistamines, antidepressants and some drugs used to treat high blood pressure. Using Clinitas eye-drops alongside these treatments can therefore be of great benefit. Other risk factors for dry-eye include recent laser surgery and medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

Some nurses have reported that dry eye is one of the side-effects that patients often find sufficiently distressing to stop taking their medication.  Clinitas is also available on prescription so if you are on medication and experiencing dry eye it would be worth discussing this with your GP.