How can I get rid of dry eyes?

Dry eye is a common and complex condition, characterised by altered tear film homeostasis. Its symptoms include tear film instability, hyperosmolarity, ocular surface inflammation and neurosensory abnormalities. The disease has a serious impact on patients’ quality of life, affecting their vision and causing chronic discomfort. Various treatments, ranging from tear substitutes to natural and complementary approaches, have been developed to improve management.

Dry eyes: a complex condition to understand and treat

Dry eye, also known as dry eye syndrome, is a multifactorial pathology of the ocular surface. It results from an imbalance between the production and evaporation of tears, leading to damage to the tear film, a structure essential for protecting and lubricating the eyes. This film, made up of three layers (mucinous, aqueous and lipidic), plays a key role in maintaining clear vision and preventing irritation. When it is disrupted, patients may experience a variety of symptoms, including stinging, uncomfortable dryness, redness or even blurred vision.

This disease, which affects between 5% and 50% of the world’s population, is more common in women and the elderly. As we age, tear production naturally decreases, making the eyes more vulnerable. In women, hormonal changes associated with the menopause often exacerbate this condition by further disrupting tear stability. In addition, certain treatments, such as hormone replacement therapy, and endocrine disorders can intensify these symptoms. This phenomenon shows the extent to which hormonal factors play a decisive role in the onset and worsening of dry eye.

Recognising these factors means that appropriate treatments can be adopted to relieve symptoms and improve patients’ quality of life.

What are the natural treatments for dry eyes?

Natural treatments stand out for their effectiveness and lack of major side effects, offering gentle, accessible solutions to relieve dry eyes. Among these options, vitamins and plant extracts play a central role.

Which vitamins can help dry eyes?

Vitamins play a key role in regenerating and protecting the tear film. For example, vitamin A promotes the production of mucin, which is essential for stabilising the mucous layer, while vitamin E, with its powerful antioxidants, protects eye cells from damage caused by free radicals. Other vitamins, such as vitamin B5 and vitamin C, help to hydrate the cornea and strengthen ocular connective tissue, respectively.

What are the natural solutions for dry eyes?

At the same time, certain plant extracts are proving particularly promising. Trehelose, a naturally occurring disaccharide, is recognised for its anti-inflammatory and protective properties, helping to stabilise cell membranes and reduce the damage caused by oxidative stress.Aloe vera is renowned for its healing and soothing properties, reducing inflammation of the ocular surface and promoting the repair of damaged epithelial tissue.

These natural solutions, often available in the form of food supplements or eye drops, provide effective relief while limiting the risks associated with prolonged use of medication.

The crucial role of the ocular microbiome in dry eye

The ocular microbiome, a group of micro-organisms living on the surface of the eye, plays an essential role in the protection and health of the eyes. It acts as a natural barrier, preventing pathogenic bacteria from causing infections and helping to maintain the balance of the tear film. However, factors such as pollution, medication or certain infections can upset this balance. When this happens, the development of harmful bacteria leads to chronic inflammatory responses, aggravating dry eye symptoms such as irritation, redness or burning.

The intestine-eye axis

In this context, postbiotics appear to be an innovative solution for restoring a healthy microbiome. These bioactive compounds, produced by beneficial micro-organisms such as Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium, act by strengthening the eye’s natural defences and reducing inflammation.

What’s more, their wealth of antioxidants, such as short-chain fatty acids and B vitamins, protects cells against oxidative stress. By stabilising the tear film and soothing inflammation, postbiotics help to improve the long-term health of the ocular surface.

Can probiotics improve eye health?

By incorporating postbiotics into dry eye treatments, it is possible to act on both the underlying causes (imbalances in the microbiome) and the symptoms, thus offering a complete and natural treatment. This approach represents a promising advance, particularly when combined with other solutions such as eye drops or vitamins.

Autologous serum and liposomal sprays: promising innovations

For patients with severe dry eye, autologous serum is emerging as an effective alternative. Derived from the patient’s own blood, this treatment contains growth factors and proteins similar to human tears. These components regenerate corneal epithelial cells, stimulate mucin production and reduce inflammation. Although expensive and limited to specialist centres, this treatment offers a valuable solution to the most complex cases.

Eyelid sprays, on the other hand, represent a breakthrough for those who have difficulty with traditional eye drops. These liposomal sprays, rich in essential fatty acids, strengthen the lipid layer of the tear film, reduce tear evaporation and offer a prolonged moisturising effect, improving ocular comfort.

Sources

1. Tîrziu, A.-T.; Susan, M.; Susan, R.; Sonia, T.; Harich, O.O.; Tudora, A.; Varga, N.-I.; Tiberiu-Liviu, D.; Avram, C.R.; Boru, C.; et al. From Gut to Eye: Exploring the Role of Microbiome Imbalance in Ocular Diseases. J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13, 5611. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13185611
2. Promising_bioactivities_of_postbiotics_A_comprehensive_review July 2023Journal of Agriculture and Food Research 14(10):100708