
GEORGIA MOUNTAIN
OPHTHALMOLOGY
What is Dry Eye?

Lauren Yancey, OD
Dry eye is a common condition that occurs when the eyes don't produce enough tears, or the tears they produce aren't able to properly lubricate the eyes. This can make your eyes feel uncomfortable and in some cases it can also cause vision problems.

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Dry eye disease can cause a number of symptoms, including:
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Eyes feel dry or gritty: A dry, burning, or scratchy sensation in the eyes
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Redness: Red eyes
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Watery eyes: the body's response to dry eyes, which can make eyes feel watery or have excessive tearing
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Mucus: Stringy mucus in or around the eyes
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Light sensitivity: Eyes are sensitive to light
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Blurred vision: Vision may be blurred or change after blinking
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Eye fatigue: Eyes feel heavy, tired, or fatigued
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Difficulty wearing contacts: It can be uncomfortable to wear contact lenses
Dry eye occurs when the eyes don't produce enough tears or the tears don't work properly.
Symptoms are usually worse in the evening.​​
Risk factors for dry eye include:
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Being over 50 years old
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Being female
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Wearing contact lenses
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Not getting enough vitamin A or omega-3 fatty acids
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Having certain autoimmune conditions, like lupus or Sjogren syndrome
Dry eye can be treated to reduce inflammation, wet the eyes, and improve your environment and overall health. If left untreated, dry eye can damage tissue and scar the cornea.
What is the Tear Film Layer?
The tear film protects and nourishes the eye, and helps prevent infection. If the tear film isn't working properly, you might experience dry eyes, which can lead to other eye problems.
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The tear film has three layers:
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Lipid layer: The outer layer, which is oily and prevents tears from evaporating too quickly. The lipid layer is made up of a mixture of lipids, including wax esters, cholesteryl esters, and free cholesterol.
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Aqueous layer: The middle layer, which is mostly water and lubricates the eye. It also contains electrolytes and proteins.
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​​Mucin layer: The inner layer, which is made up of mucins that help the tear film stick to the eye's surface. Mucins also help the aqueous layer spread evenly over the eye and nourish the cornea.
