Dry eye

What is dry eye?

The eye is permanently protected from external environmental factors by a tear film composed of three layers: mucous, aqueous and lipid. Damage to one of these three layers can lead to dry eye, usually bilateral, caused by insufficient humidification of the anterior structures of the eye. 

Dry eye in children is often underdiagnosed and may be associated with local damage to the eye (allergy being the most common cause of dry eye in children), environmental factors, side effects of certain drugs or, more rarely, more general diseases.

What are signs of dry eye in children?

Does your child complain of itching? Do they feel like they have foreign body or grit in their eyes? Do they suffer from more or less severe burning or pain, blurred vision or increased sensitivity to light? These symptoms are signs of dry eye. 

Increased eye blinking and eye redness can also be signs of dry eye. Sometimes, the eyes water excessively, paradoxically, as a reaction to this irritation.

How can dry eye be screened for?

There are several ways to screen for dry eyes and eyelid irritation:

• A careful eye examination by your ophthalmologist, a visual acuity test and an inspection for signs of irritation of the eyelids and anterior structures of the eye will help detect dry eyes.
• They can also stain tears with fluorescent drops. This involves applying a small amount of fluorescein to the eye. The greater the staining, the greater the dry eye syndrome.
• Some tests to assess the quality of the tear glands can be carried out to highlight dry eyes.
• The evaluation of the good closure of the eyelids during sleep can also be a good indicator.

How can dry eye be prevented?

Simple actions can reduce symptoms of dry eye:

• A home air humidifier, especially in winter. This device makes it possible to humidify air that is too dry in a room.
• Eye protection with sunglasses when exposed to the sun.
• The exclusion of drugs that promote dry eye.
• A balanced diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids, as well as sufficient hydration.
• When using screens, which are known to encourage dry eyes by reducing reflex blinking, children should be taught two good practices: firstly, not to overuse them and secondly, to take frequent breaks. These aim to rest the eyes and take the opportunity to blink in order to promote the regeneration of the tear film.

How can dry eye be treated?

Eye lubricant treatments in the form of eye drops and ointments may be prescribed to help reduce symptoms. In case of inflammation of the ocular surface or eyelids, specific care of the eyelids and anti-inflammatory drops may be administered. 

In severe cases, special contact lenses or even occlusion plugs at the lacrimal points, as well as specific surgery on the front surface of the eye, may be recommended.

Find out more about children's visual disorders

Do you want to learn more about a particular visual condition? Discover our pages on eye allergy, colour blindness, hyperopia, strabismus, chalazion and conjunctivitis. We explain these visual disorders and tell you how to treat them to preserve your children’s visual acuity.