Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry eye syndrome is a condition which causes a lack of production of tears. As a result, your eyes will not be properly lubricated. Dry eye syndrome affects approximately 10-14 million Americans, mostly over the age of 40. Women are more prone to the condition than men.

Tear Production

Tears serve the primary function of keeping your eyes properly lubricated. There are three layers of your tear film:

The inner layer is the thinnest and is made up of mucus. Its purpose is to coat the cells in the lining of your eye and to spread the moisture of your tears evenly across the eye.
The middle layer is made up of a saltwater solution. It is the largest and thickest layer, and its purpose is to ensure that your eye remains moist. It also helps flush out any foreign particles that may enter your eye.
The thin outer layer is made up of lipids (oils). Its purpose is to prevent the watery middle layer from evaporating.

Read about Artificial Tears.

Causes of Dry Eye Syndrome

Common causes of dry eye syndrome include:

Decreased tear production
Excessive tear evaporation, often the result of an inadequate lipid layer
An abnormality in the production of mucus or lipids in your tear system
Hormonal changes caused by aging, particularly menopause
Autoimmune diseases such as Sjogren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, or lupus
Medications, particularly antihistamines, antidepressants, beta-blockers, and oral contraceptives
Conditions such as stroke or Bell palsy which inhibit your blinking function

Symptoms of Dry Eye Syndrome

Common symptoms of dry eye syndrome include:

Dry, gritty, scratchy, or filmy feeling
Burning or itching
Redness
Blurry vision
Foreign body sensation
Light sensitivity

Many people suffering from dry eye syndrome will also experience bouts of excessive tears followed by periods of sustained dryness where there are not enough tears. Symptoms often are most severe in dry climates, windy conditions, or situations requiring extended eye use such as reading, viewing a computer monitor, or watching TV.

Diagnosis of Dry Eye Syndrome

Your eye doctor may use a slit lamp to evaluate the thickness and stability of your tear film. This device can also examine your cornea for evidence of dryness or damage.

Another diagnostic tool is the Schirmer test, which measures the levels of tear production in your eyes. Your eye doctor will place a thin strip of paper at the edge of your eye for several minutes. When it is removed, the paper will be evaluated for appropriate levels of wetness.

You can visit our Dry Eye treatment page to learn about the various treatment options available to you.

Please contact an eye doctor in your area today if you are suffering from dry eye syndrome.