ALERT ! Dry-Eye Controversy (NAPSA)—After 60 years of wondering what causes dry eyes to feel dry, the question appears to be settled. A recent study, published in Eye and Contact Lens, says dry eyes becomeirritated because tears lose water and becometoo salty. This chronic, uncomfortable eye disease affects more than eight million Americans. Symptoms include dryness, burning and a sandy gritty sensation. Left untreated, dry eye may result in decreased vision complicated by ulceration andscarring. According to Jeffrey P. Gilbard, MD, department of ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, there were three theories about the cause of dry eye—dry spots on There has been success in treating dry eye with drops that lower salt concentration. the eye, an inflammatory attack on the eye surface and increased salt concentration in tears. The study, conducted at the Cullen Eye Center of Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, shows that increased salt concentration in the tears causes the eye surface inflammation. “The third theory, now confirmed, says that increased salt concentration in the tears causes dry eye irritation, and there has been success treating dry eye with TheraTears, specially-designed drops that lower the elevated salt concentration,” said Dr. Gilbard. The finding may accelerate further improvements in treat- ment. For more information, visit www.dryeyeinfo.org.
