courtesy B.C. Association of Optometrists

Vancouver, BC (June 29, 2005) -- If you find yourself tearing up during a dry summer hot spell, ironically, you may be suffering from a condition known as dry eye says the B.C. Association of Optometrists.

"People with dry eyes often find their condition is exacerbated by dry weather, air conditioning and fans that increase the amount of dust in the air," says Dr. Giovanni Cinel, a Kamloops optometrist. "One of our patients was tearing up so much her eyes were squirting tears onto her glasses."

One of four people will experience dry eyes in their lifetime -- women, contact lens wearers, seniors and allergy sufferers are most susceptible to the condition. Mild dry eye may cause a burning, sandy or scratching sensation, while those with more a more severe condition may experience blurred vision, light sensitivity and periods of excess tearing.

Dry eye occurs when a person's eyes are unable to lubricate themselves in a natural way. During a comprehensive eye exam, an optometrist can determine the level of lubricant in your tear layer and offer treatments to soothe dry eye.

There are a number of therapies an optometrist can recommend to alleviate dry eye symptoms, says Dr. Cinel. "Although there is no cure for the condition, it can almost always be managed successfully. In the case of Ms. Black -- the patient with severe tearing -- specialized eye drops that are normally used by contact lens wearers give her six to 12 hours of relief because they encourage cells in the eye to soak up more water."

Once dry eye is diagnosed, an optometrist will take a stepped treatment approach depending on the severity of the patient's symptoms and clinical findings. Initial therapy will involve topical lubricants to specifically target symptoms. However, if symptoms persist, the insertion of punctal plugs, which slow down tear drainage, can help to improve the patient's comfort dramatically.

Some simple things dry eye suffers can do are: