Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca is commonly known as dry eye syndrome, and refers to a disorder that causes dryness of the conjunctiva and cornea.
The accepted medical understanding of Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS) has changed from the belief that KCS is due to a state of aqueous tear insufficiency, which means that the tear gland isn’t producing enough hydration to keep the entire conjunctiva and cornea covered.
The current medical stance on KCS attributes the problem to several factors combined, and the accepted cause is a combination of nerve cell (or nerve tissue) nutrient deficiencies, inflammation of the ocular surface, and Meibomian gland dysfunction.
Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca Symptoms
Dry eye symptoms associated with KCS include a pulling sensation, pressure behind the eyes, irritation and or ocular burning sensations, stinging, photophobia, itching, blurred vision, or a constant feeling that something is in your eye.
The symptoms of KCS can also be representative of a bigger systematic disease so detecting the core issue is very important as there are life threatening conditions with similar symptoms, and patients with dry eye syndrome are also more often susceptible to bacterial keratitis, an infection that can potentially lead to blindness.
KCS patients also have higher risks of complications after common ocular procedures such as refractive surgery so it is important to tell your eye specialist about any dry eye symptoms when they begin occurring.
Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca Treatments
Dry eye treatment options for KCS depend on the cause and severity of the disorder and can include artificial tears, gels, ointments, topical steroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, and possibly topical antibiotics, warm compresses, intense pulsed light treatment (IPL), and possibly even systematic antibiotics or silicone punctal plugs.
For more severe cases your ophthalmologist or eye care specialist will help identify the best option for treatment on an individual by individual basis.
Talk to an Eye Care Specialist at FLEI
The eye care specialists here at the Fort Lauderdale Eye Institute are some of the best in the world, and they have tremendous experience successfully treating eye diseases and disorders in every form, as well as performing a wide array of surgical procedures.
If you think you may be suffering from dry eye symptoms or any other eye related issues, make sure to give us a call immediately and set up an appointment for a consultation.
