Ξηροφθαλμία - Dry Eyes and What You Can Do About Them

Η ξηροφθαλμία είναι μια συχνή πάθηση και μπορεί να δώσει μια αίσθηση φαγούρας, καύσου, άμμου, μια διαλείπουσα θόλωση της όρασης ή ακόμη και διπλωπία.

Υπάρχουν μια σειρά από θεραπείες, φάρμακα, και διαδικασίες που μπορούν να βοηθήσουν τα συμπτώματα της ξηροφθαλμίας.

Το δακρυϊκό φιλμ αποτελείται από τρία στρώματα και τα δάκρυα παράγονται κατά κύριο λόγο στο δακρυϊκό αδένα που βρίσκεται κάτω από το οστό κάτω από τα φρύδια μας.Τα βλέφαρα μπορεί να θεωρηθούν ως υαλοκαθαριστήρες που επαλείφουν το δακρυϊκό φιλμ ομοιόμορφα πάνω στην επιφάνεια του οφθαλμού. Τυχόν προβλήματα με τα βλέφαρα μπορούν να επηρεάσουν το δακρυϊκό φιλμ και να το αποτρέψει από το να λειτουργήσει σωστά.

Το δακρυϊκό φιλμ είναι επίσης μια σημαντική επιφάνεια εστίασης για τον οφθαλμό. Κάθε πρόβλημα που κάνει το δακρυϊκό φιλμ ανώμαλο ή ασταθές, μπορεί να οδηγήσει σε προβλήματα με την εστίαση. Ένα συχνό παράπονο των ατόμων με σύνδρομο ξηροφθαλμίας είναι ότι όταν διαβάζουν, η όρασή τους είναι καθαρή στην αρχή, αλλά μετά την ανάγνωση για 10 ή 20 λεπτά, η όρασή τους γίνεται θολή και δεν μπορούν πλέον να δουν καθαρά.

Αίτια της ξηροφθαλμίας

Οι άνθρωποι που ζουν σε ξηρά κλίματα είναι πιο πιθανό να επηρεαστούν από ξηροφθαλμία. Η χαμηλή υγρασία προκαλεί ταχύτερη εξάτμιση του δακρυϊκού φιλμ από την επιφάνεια του οφθαλμού. Η σκόνη, η βρωμιά, η μάσκαρα και η ρύπανση μπορούν επίσης να κάνουν το σύνδρομο ξηροφθαλμίας χειρότερο.

Οι γυναίκες που έχουν περάσει την εμμηνόπαυση τείνουν να έχουν μειωμένη έκκριση δακρύων. Ορισμένα φάρμακα μπορούν να προκαλέσουν ξηρότητα στα μάτια, όπως η θεραπεία με υποκατάστατα ορμονών, τα αντιισταμινικά και ορισμένα αντικαταθλιπτικά.

Θα πρέπει πάντα να γίνεται έλεγχος από το γιατρό σας πριν διακόψετε οποιοδήποτε συνταγογραφημένο φάρμακο, ακόμη και αν νομίζετε ότι μπορεί να προκαλέσει σύνδρομο ξηροφθαλμίας. Συνήθως η αιτία είναι άγνωστη, αλλά μερικές φορές μπορεί να σχετίζεται με άλλες φλεγμονώδεις καταστάσεις του σώματος.

Οι άνθρωποι των οποίων τα μάτια δεν κλείνουν εντελώς όταν βλεφαρίζουν, ή που βλεφαρίζουν σπάνια (για παράδειγμα, οι ασθενείς με νόσο του Parkinson), είναι πιο επιρρεπείς σε σύνδρομο ξηροφθαλμίας. Οι άνθρωποι που διαβάζουν πολύ ή εργάζονται στον υπολογιστή πολύ είναι επίσης πιο επιρρεπείς σε σύνδρομο ξηροφθαλμίας, γιατί όταν διαβάζουμε ή συγκεντρωνόμαστε, βλεφαρίζουμε λιγότερο συχνά.

Θεραπεία της ξηροφθαλμίας

Υπάρχουν πολλές διαφορετικές θεραπείες για τη ξηροφθαλμία. Για πολλούς ασθενείς το μόνο που χρειάζεται είναι η χρήση τεχνητών δακρύων. Άλλα άτομα μπορεί να χρειαστούν χειρουργική επέμβαση για να διορθώσουν ένα βλέφαρο το οποίο είναι ουλοποιημένο ή ένα βλέφαρο που δεν κλείνει σωστά.

Τα τεχνητά δάκρυα μπορείτε να τα πάρετε από οποιοδήποτε φαρμακείο και δεν χρειάζονται ιατρική συνταγή. Υπάρχουν πολλές διαφορετικές μάρκες και είδη των τεχνητών δακρύων. Οι περισσότεροι άνθρωποι πρέπει να πειραματιστούν με διαφορετικά δάκρυα μέχρι να βρουν αυτό που λειτουργεί γι’ αυτούς. Μερικά δάκρυα είναι πιο παχύρευστα από ό, τι άλλα. Μερικοί ασθενείς προτιμούν πιο παχύρευστα δάκρυα γιατί διαρκούν περισσότερο. Άλλοι άνθρωποι δεν συμπαθούν τα πιο παχύρευστα δάκρυα επειδή προς στιγμήν θολώνουν την όρασή τους. Για τους ασθενείς που χρειάζεται να χρησιμοποιήσουν τεχνητά δάκρυα συχνά, οι γιατροί  προτείνουν μερικές φορές διαλύματα τεχνητών δακρύων χωρίς συντηρητικά.

Εάν τα συμπτώματα είναι ακόμη δυσχερή έχοντας δοκιμάσει διάφορες συνταγές, φράζοντας το δακρυϊκό σημείο με βύσματα μπορεί να είναι πολύ χρήσιμα. Αυτά μπορεί να είναι προσωρινά ή μόνιμα. Η χειρουργική επέμβαση είναι απαραίτητη μόνο εάν οι ασθενείς έχουν ένα ουλοποιημένο βλέφαρο, αν οι ασθενείς έχουν βλέφαρα που δεν κλείνουν εντελώς, ή αν οι ασθενείς έχουν ένα βλέφαρο που δεν είναι σε σωστή θέση.

Η ξηροφθαλμία είναι συχνά μέρος μιας φλεγμονής των βλεφαρίδων (βλεφαρίτιδα) και η θεραπεία γι’ αυτό θα πρέπει να είναι σε συνδυασμό με τις οφθαλμικές σταγόνες για την ξηροφθαλμία σας.

If Your Eyes Are Dry …

You might feel like you have sand in your eyes, or they might burn or itch. You might be sensitive to light, have blurry vision, or, in some cases, your eyes might water. And you may have a tough time wearing contact lenses.

Your Eyes Need Moisture

This helps them work the way they’re supposed to and keeps them comfortable. Your body normally makes moisture for your eyes, but when you can’t -- or it’s not good quality -- that can make your eyes hurt and affect your eyesight.

What Your Tears Do

They soothe the surface of your eyes and protect them from things like debris and infection. Each time you blink, they go over your eyes, then drain into the inner corners of your eyelids to the back of your nose. If you don’t make enough good-quality tears, your eyes can be dry and irritated.

Dry Eye Syndrome

The second most common kind of dry eye happens because your body doesn’t make enough tears. This is called dry eye syndrome, or keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS). Many things can cause it. Depending on what that is, it can go away on its own or last a long time.

Possible Cause: Age

The glands that make tears don’t work as well as you age, so you don’t make as many. Also, your eyelids begin to sag, and that can break the seal against your eyeball that helps keep in moisture.

Possible Cause: Certain Illnesses

Autoimmune diseases -- when your immune system attacks parts of your body -- can affect your body’s ability to make tears and cause dry eyes. Examples include lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as Sjogren’s syndrome, which attacks saliva and tear glands.

Possible Cause: Eye Surgery

Dry eyes can be a side effect of cataract surgery and LASIK or PRK surgery, which correct vision problems. The nerves that help you make tears can be damaged during these procedures. Talk with your doctor about eyedrops and other things that can help. For most people, it gets better as your eyes recover.

Evaporative Dry Eye

If your tears don’t have enough oil in them, they can evaporate (get absorbed into the air) before your eyes get enough moisture--the most common cause of dry eyes. This often happens when the glands that give your tears their oily texture are blocked. Also called Meibomian gland dysfunction, it’s treated with warm washcloths and lid scrubs that clear away the dead skin, oil, and bacteria that can build up and plug the glands.

Tear Duct Infection

Also called dacryocystitis, this happens when a tear duct -- the small tube that runs down the length of your nose and connects to your eyelid -- gets blocked and bacteria get in the area. It’s most common in infants, but it can happen at any age. Symptoms include pain, redness, swelling, too many tears, discharge from your eye, and fever. Antibiotics are the most common treatment, but some people need minor surgery to clear it up.

Medications

If you have symptoms of dry eyes and take medication, read the label. Some drugs, such as antihistamines, beta-blockers, and some antidepressants, can affect your tears and dry out your eyes. Talk with your doctor to find out if this is a problem for you.

What Can Make It Worse: Low Humidity

If there’s not a lot of moisture in the air -- in a heated or air-conditioned room or in an airplane, for example -- dry eyes can get even more irritated. And a lot of wind can do it, too (that includes riding a bike without protective eyewear).

What Can Make It Worse: Too Much Screen Time

Looking at a computer or phone screen for long periods of time can cause problems because you’re less likely to blink and get moisture over your eyes.

What Can Make It Worse: Contact Lenses

They sit inside the tear film, so when that’s dry, it can make it difficult and uncomfortable -- even impossible -- to wear them. Talk to your doctor if you’re having trouble with your contacts: It may help to change solutions or use lenses made from a different material.

What You Can Do: Artificial Tears

These aren’t the kind your toddler uses when he’s trying to get away with something. These tears come from the drugstore as drops or ointment. Some have a chemical that can stop working if you use them too long, but not all have that. Talk to your doctor about what may work for you.

What You Can Do: Change Your Diet

Among other health benefits, flax oil and flax oil capsules also may help keep your eyes moist.

Prevention

If your eyes are dry, it’s a good idea to stay away from some things that can irritate them, like hair dryers, air conditioning, wind, smoke, and some chemicals. Use a humidifier, and take regular breaks if you spend long hours at a computer. During sports or outdoor activities, use swim or ski goggles or other protective eyewear that helps you keep moisture around your eyes.

When to Call Your Doctor

If dry eyes are new to you and you’ve had them for more than a few days, talk with your doctor. It’s also a good idea to check with him before you use over-the-counter artificial tears. In most cases, dry eyes are more of an annoyance than a health danger, but it’s always best to be sure.

SOURCES:WebMD , EYE CLINIC etc

Αυτές οι πληροφορίες προορίζονται για γενική  ενημέρωση του κοινού και σε καμία περίπτωση δεν μπορούν να αντικαταστήσουν τη συμβουλή ιατρού ή άλλου αρμόδιου επαγγελματία υγείας.

DROWNING PREVENTION AND SURVIVAL

By Dr. NIKOS KONNARIS

How to Protect Children from Drownimg - Swim Safety Tips

How to Protect Children from Drownimg - Swim Safety Tips

Pool Safety

• Never leave children alone in or near the pool or spa, even for a moment; close supervision by a responsible adult is the best way to prevent drowning in children.
• Whenever children under age 5 are in or around water, an adult – preferably one who knows how to swim and perform CPR – should be within arm's length, providing "touch supervision."
• Install a fence at least 4 feet high around all four sides of the pool. The fence should not have openings or protrusions that a young child could use to get over, under, or through.
• Make sure pool gates open out from the pool, and self-close and self-latch at a height children can't reach. Consider alarms on the gate to alert you when someone opens the gate. Consider surface wave or underwater alarms as an added layer of protection.
• The safest fence is one that surrounds all 4 sides of the pool and completely separates the pool from the house and yard. If the house serves as the fourth side of the fence, install an alarm on the exit door to the yard and the pool. For additional protection, install window guards on windows facing the pool. Drowning victims have also used pet doors to gain access to pools. Keep all of your barriers and alarms in good repair with fresh batteries.
• Keep rescue equipment (a shepherd's hook ­– a long pole with a hook on the end — and life preserver) and a portable telephone near the pool. Choose a shepherd's hook and other rescue equipment made of fiberglass or other materials that do not conduct electricity.
• Avoid inflatable swimming aids such as "floaties." They are not a substitute for approved life jackets and can give children and parents a false sense of security.
• Children over age 1 may be at a lower risk of drowning if they have had some formal swimming instruction. However, there is no evidence that swimming lessons or water survival skills courses can prevent drowning in babies younger than 1 year of age.
• The decision to enroll a child over age one in swimming lessons should be made by the parent based on the child's developmental readiness and exposure to water, but swim programs should never be seen as "drown proofing" a child of any age.
• Avoid entrapment: Suction from pool and spa drains can trap a swimmer underwater. Do not use a pool or spa if there are broken or missing drain covers.  Ask your pool operator if your pool or spa's drains are compliant with the Pool and Spa Safety Act. If you have a swimming pool or spa, ask your pool service representative to update your drains and other suction fitting with anti-entrapment drain covers and other devices or systems. See PoolSafely.gov for more information on the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act.
• Large, inflatable, above-ground pools have become increasingly popular for backyard use. Children may fall in if they lean against the soft side of an inflatable pool. Although such pools are often exempt from local pool fencing requirements, it is essential that they be surrounded by an appropriate fence just as a permanent pool would be so that children cannot gain unsupervised access.
• If a child is missing, look for him or her in the pool or spa first.
• Share safety instructions with family, friends and neighbors.

  Boating Safety

• Children should wear life jackets at all times when on boats, docks or near bodies of water.
• Make sure the life jacket is the right size for your child. The jacket should not be loose and should always be worn as instructed with all straps belted.
• Blow-up water wings, toys, rafts and air mattresses should not be used as life jackets or personal flotation devices. Adults should wear life jackets for their own protection, and to set a good example.
• Adolescents and adults should be warned of the dangers of boating even as a passenger when under the influence of alcohol, drugs, and even some prescription medications.

• Children follow your example, whenever you are on a boat – everyone, kids and adults should wear a life jacket.

  Open Water Swimming Safety

• Never swim alone. Even good swimmers need buddies!
• A lifeguard (or another adult who knows about water rescue) needs to be watching children whenever they are in or near the water. Younger children should be closely supervised while in or near the water – use "touch supervision," keeping no more than an arm's length away. 
• Make sure your child knows never to dive into water except when permitted by an adult who knows the depth of the water and who has checked for underwater objects.
• Never let your child swim in canals or any fast-moving water.
• Ocean swimming should only be allowed when a lifeguard is on duty.
• Teach children about rip currents. If you are caught in a rip current, swim parallel to shore until you escape the current, and then swim back to shore.

• Be aware that pools and beaches in other countries may not have lifeguards, and pools may have unsafe drain systems. Supervise children closely.

• At the beach, stay within the designated swimming area and ideally within the visibility of a lifeguard

• Be aware of rip currents. If you should get caught in one, don't try to swim against it. Swim parallel to shore until clear of the current.

• Seek shelter in case of storm. Get out of the water. Get off the beach in case of lightning .
  
  
   

 Source :AAP Published 13/03/2018