Sicca Syndrom - Das trockene Auge: Symptome, Ursprung und Diagnose

Dry eye, also known medically as sicca syndrome or keratoconjunctivitis sicca, is one of the most common eye diseases. Around 20 percent of the population, or one in five people in Germany, suffers from the consequences of impaired eye lubrication. This disorder occurs when the amount of tears is too low or the evaporation of the tear film is too high. For this reason, ophthalmologists distinguish between the hypovolemic form (insufficient tear production) and the hyperevaporative form, which is characterized by increased evaporation of the tear film. Often, an altered composition of the tear fluid is also mentioned, which is usually pathologically caused. We take it for granted that our eyes are supplied by the tear film. Only when problems arise in this supply system do our nerve endings signal that a disturbance has occurred. The eyes feel tight or even give a foreign body sensation, without there actually being a foreign body in the eye. ... Other symptoms of dry eye include: Burning or itching (often described as burning or rapid fatigue) Redness of the conjunctiva (The conjunctiva is more susceptible to environmental factors) Pain (Caused by dryness of the cornea) Sensitivity to glare (Lack of moisture irritates the cornea) Pressure (An unpleasant feeling of pressure leads to frequent rubbing of the eye) Tearing (The tear film can no longer adhere, leading to constant tearing) CAUSES The lubrication of the eyes depends on numerous factors such as gender, age, diet, and also the time of day. Hormonal fluctuations in women during menopause cause a significant reduction in tear production. Contact lens wearers and people who have had cataract surgery or laser vision correction (LASIK) also frequently complain of dry eyes. Furthermore, everyday conditions such as air pollution or dry indoor air from heating and air conditioning put a strain on our eyes. Reading, watching television, or working at a computer screen can reduce our blink rate and can be just as much a cause as accompanying symptoms of illnesses (diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorders, skin or vascular diseases, etc.) or medication side effects (e.g., from psychotropic drugs, sleeping pills, beta-blockers, hormones, or antihistamines). Further information on eye diseases can be found on our information portal www.augenerkrankungen.info or here on our YouTube channel at the Dardenne Eye Clinic.