Chronic Pain: The Eyes Have It!

The American Eye Institute reports that approximately 3 million Americans suffer from chronic dry eye. As such, it's a fairly common condition. The usual treatment for this malady is the use of artificial tears. This is important, because without lubrication the cornea can be damaged, and it can be very uncomfortable as well.

New research about chronic dry eye is shedding light on another aspect of the condition. As reported in the Journal of Pain, some patients with dry eye have a neuropathic pain condition. Patients reported having higher levels of ocular pain as well as a number of coexisting chronic pain syndromes. They also reported a higher incidence of depression and a lower quality of life.

This research sheds light on the complexities of what we might otherwise think of as a simple everyday problem. More research is needed to explore more fully the link between dry eyes and chronic pain syndromes, and a more permanent treatment for those affected by this common ocular condition.

You can read more about this study by clicking here.

Sources: National Pain Report; Wikimedia

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