Dr. Dave Patel, a Mayo Clinic ophthalmologist, explains some of the causes of dry eyes, treatments and some symptoms you shouldn't ignore.

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What causes dry eyes?

"Aging, environment, hormones, air travel, the outdoors — there are a lot of factors that contribute to the lubrication of the surface of the eye," says Dr. Patel.

While common, Dr. Patel says having dry eyes is not always something to ignore. "It does and can affect the vision," says Dr. Patel. "It can distort what you see so you wouldn't see as well as you should be."

Treatments

Over-the-counter lubricating eye drops can offer relief. However, if you are using eye drops more than four times a day for long periods of time, Dr. Patel recommends preservative-free, single-use vials. Cleanliness is key. "I just encourage patients to be mindful of keeping their medications free of contaminants, and if you have concerns, discard the unused portion of the eye drops to minimize any risks."

If over-the-counter eye drops don't help, there are prescription treatments available. "There are anti-inflammatory medications, neurostimulators that can trigger or increase tear production and sometimes steroids to reduce inflammatory conditions," says Dr. Patel.

If you notice other symptoms, including vision problems, redness or pain, Dr. Patel says it is time to see your health care professional.

Learn more about eye health and eye exams. There are several factors that can determine how frequently you need an eye exam, including your age, health and risk of developing eye problems.

Related articles:

• Mayo Clinic Q and A: Fish oil supplements and dry eyes
• Weekend Wellness: New treatments for dry eyes may help if standard treatments fail
• Mayo Clinic offers new intense pulsed light therapy for chronic dry eye

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If you're a fan of wildlife, nature and landscape art, you probably know the name Jim Hansel. The Chaska, Minnesota, native is one of the best, if not the best, in the country. He's painted, according to his website, 175 limited edition prints since 1987. Which is pretty remarkable — especially for a guy who's legally blind.

That's right. The beloved paintings were created by an artist with limited vision. And in a new documentary about Hansel's life and art, his eye doctor at Mayo Clinic, Raymond Iezzi Jr., M.D., says that should be a lesson in resiliency for us all.

"One of the most remarkable things about you, Jim, is that when I look at your retinas, as a retina doctor, I often scratch my head and try to understand how it is that you do the wonderful work that you do," Dr. Iezzi tells Jim about half-way through the documentary. "I understand on several levels just what you're dealing with in terms of your vision loss, and yet you've been able to do remarkable things beyond what most artists can do even when they're fully sighted." Read the rest of Jim's story.
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This story originally appeared on the In the Loop blog.  

The post In the Loop: Acclaimed painter is legally blind appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: 

ANSWER: You are correct that a family history of glaucoma raises the risk of developing this serious eye disease. It is currently not clear if lifestyle changes can decrease your risk of glaucoma, so it is crucial that you get eye exams on a regular basis. A comprehensive eye exam can help detect glaucoma in its early stages when it is most successfully treated.

Glaucoma is a disorder that damages the optic nerve. In its advanced stages, it can impair vision and eventually lead to blindness. In most cases of glaucoma, the optic nerve is damaged by a rise in pressure within the eye due to a buildup of the fluid that flows in and out of the eye.

In addition to having a family history of glaucoma, risk factors for the disease may include high or low blood pressure, as well as other medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and hypothyroidism. Other eye problems may increase your risk of developing glaucoma as well, including eye inflammation, retinal detachment and lens dislocation. A severe eye injury can put you at risk for glaucoma, as can certain types of eye surgery and being nearsighted or farsighted.

Ethnic background also appears to have an impact on a person’s risk of developing glaucoma. African-Americans and Latinos who are older than 40 have a much higher risk of developing glaucoma than Caucasians. African-Americans also are more likely to suffer permanent blindness as a result of glaucoma. People of some Asian backgrounds have an increased risk of developing glaucoma, as well.

Prompt treatment of eye problems and good management of other underlying medical conditions may help reduce the risk of developing glaucoma. Some research suggests that eating a healthy diet may reduce your glaucoma risk, too.

Certain dietary supplements touted as promoting eye health claim to be able to prevent glaucoma. But at this time, there is no solid evidence that these products — often marketed as “eye vitamins” — can prevent, manage or treat glaucoma.

In its early stages, glaucoma usually doesn’t show any symptoms. Typically it is not until the late stages of the disease that people who have glaucoma begin to notice eye problems such as loss of peripheral vision. That’s why it is so important to get regular eye exams, particularly if you are at high risk for developing glaucoma.

In general, a comprehensive eye exam is recommended once every two to four years for people between the ages of 40 and 54, and every one to three years for people between the ages of 55 and 64, even if you have no problems with your eyes or your vision. After age 65, you should have a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years. Depending on your risk factors, these exams may need to be more frequent.

If an exam shows that your internal eye pressure is higher than normal, that means you are at increased risk of developing glaucoma. It is important to note, however, that not everyone with elevated intraocular pressure develops the disease, and not everyone who has glaucoma has increased eye pressure. If you have elevated eye pressure and your eye doctor indicates that you have a high risk of developing glaucoma, eye drops may be prescribed to reduce the risk that your condition will progress to glaucoma.

In a situation like yours where family history or other factors put you at higher risk for glaucoma, the key to ensuring long-term eye health is to get regular eye exams. Talk to your doctor about the exam schedule that best fits your needs. — Arthur Sit, M.D., Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.

The post TUESDAY Q & A: Comprehensive eye exam can help detect glaucoma in early stages appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES
Recipe makeovers: 5 ways to create healthy recipes
Use these handy techniques to reduce the fat, calories and salt in your favorite recipes.

Sleep tips: 7 steps to better sleep
Better sleep can be yours! Consider these sleep tips, such as making a sleep schedule and getting some exercise every day, if you're weary.

EXPERT ANSWERS
Cigar smoking: Safer than cigarette smoking?
Like cigarettes, cigars contain nicotine, tobacco and cancer-causing chemicals.

Zumba: What are the benefits?
Zumba, a dance-based workout, can add variety to your exercise routine.

HEALTHY RECIPES
Barbecue chicken pizza
Fresh fruit kebabs with lemon lime dip
Soft tacos with southwestern vegetables
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HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK
Snoring solution: Sleep on your side
Sleep on your side to help prevent snoring. Lying on your back allows your tongue to fall backward into your throat, which narrows your airway and partially obstructs airflow. To stay off your back, try sleeping in a tight-fitting T-shirt with a tennis ball sewn or attached to the back. This uncomfortable trick will remind you to roll over. Or raise up the head of your bed by about four inches.

Click here to get a free e-subscription to the Housecall newsletter.

PLUS ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
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The post Monday’s Housecall appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

The eyes have it! March is Save Your Vision month and we hope you can join us Saturday, March 1, at 9 a.m. CT, when the topic is eyesight. Ophthalmologists Sophie Bakri, M.D.; and Michael Mahr, M.D. will be with us to discuss macular degeneration, glaucoma and cataracts, in addition to workplace eye safety.

Myth or Matter of Fact: Only patients with a family history can develop glaucoma.

For a link to information on eating disorders discussed at the top of the show with Leslie Sim, Ph.D.,L.P., click Mayo Clinic or the AED webpage.

To listen to the program LIVE, click here.

Listen to this week’s Medical News Headlines: News Segment March 1, 2014 (right click MP3)

Mayo Clinic Radio is a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic. The show is taped for rebroadcast by some affiliates. On Twitter follow #MayoClinicRadio and tweet your questions.

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Optometrist Bert Moritz, D.O., of the Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire, Wis., explains that six extraocular muscles firmly hold the eye in the socket, making it almost impossible for eyeball subluxing (what a relief!).  And though it may feel as if pressure builds in your entire face before you sneeze, it doesn’t increase in your eyes. So why then do we clamp our eyes shut when we sneeze?

“This is an involuntary reflex,” explains Moritz. “When our brain sends this muscle message, one part of the message is to close our eyes. It’s similar to a deep tendon reflex.”  

Read more in this article from NBCNews.com "The Body Odd"

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