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Syndrome of dry eyes in children
Last reviewed: 20.11.2021
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Normally, the tear film has a three-layer structure.
- An oily "lipid" layer, which reduces evaporation, stabilizes the lacrimal film and provides a high optical quality of its surface. Lipids are produced by meibomian glands.
- The water layer coming directly from the lacrimal gland.
- Mucous layer, produced in the glands of the conjunctiva.
Lack of mucosal layer:
- trachoma;
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
Insufficient lipid layer:
- blepharitis;
- meibomitis;
- loss of meibomian glands, for example, due to previously transmitted diseases or radiation.
Insufficiency of the water layer ("dry" keratoconjunctivitis):
- congenital absence of tear fluid;
- pathology of the lacrimal reflex;
- local dryness - flushing disorder or defective distribution of tear film over the surface of the cornea;
- familial glucocorticoid insufficiency syndrome with concomitant cardiac achalasia;
- ectodermal dysplasia;
- developmental defects of the craniofacial skeleton, for example, Golden's syndrome, craniosynostosis;
- multiple endocrine neoplasia.
- family disautonomy (Ray-li-Dey's syndrome):
- predominantly affects children of Jewish origin;
- disintegration of the functions of the autonomic nervous system;
- sensory neuropathy;
- absence of mushroom papillae in the tongue;
- reduction of tear;
- decreased sensitivity of the cornea;
- Neuropathy of the optic nerve.
- Sjögren's syndrome. Dry eyes, upper respiratory tract mucosa in combination with rheumatoid arthritis or autoimmune process.
What do need to examine?
How to examine?
Treatment of dry eye syndrome
I. Treatment of background disease:
- Vitamin A deficiency;
- pathology of tear film;
- disorders of lacrimation:
- exclusion of residence in a dry atmosphere;
- wearing hydrophilic contact lenses;
- occlusion;
- humidification of air in the premises.
II. Compensation for tear fluid deficiency
- restoration of moisturizing the eyeball with the help of tarzoraphysis;
- correction of evaporation by increasing the humidity of the ambient air.
III. The use of artificial tears, as well as polyvinyl alcohol, methyl cellulose and conventional ophthalmic ointments.