DRY EYE

What is Dry Eye?

This is a condition when the eye does not produce tears properly, or when the tears are not of the correct consistency and evaporate too quickly.

In addition, inflammation of the surface of the eye may occur along with dry eye. If left untreated, this condition can lead to pain, ulcers or scars on the cornea, as well as some loss of vision. However, permanent loss of vision from dry eye is uncommon.

Dry eye can make it more difficult to perform some activities, such as using a computer or reading for an extended period of time, and it can decrease tolerance for dry environments, such as air-conditioned offices and inside of airplanes.

Types of dry eye

1 Aqueous tear-deficient dry eye

Aqueous tear-deficient dry eye is a disorder in which the lacrimal glands fail to produce enough of the watery component of tears to maintain a healthy eye surface.

2 Evaporative dry eye

Evaporative dry eye may result from inflammation of the meibomian glands, also located in the eyelids. These glands produce the lipid or oily part of tears that slows evaporation and keeps the tears stable.