Dry Eye

• Stinging or burning eyes
• Red eyes
• Watery eyes
• Sensation of foreign body in your eyes
• Gritty sensation in your eyes like sandpaper rubbing against each other
• Light sensitivity 
• Eyes feel tired
• Difficulty/ discomfort wearing contact lenses
• Eye irritation
• Stringy discharge from the eyes 
• Blurry vision 

If you are experiencing any of these, please consult with an optometrist to help relieve the symptoms as there are a variety treatment options available.

Tears: A Three-Layered Marvel

Tears may seem simple, but they’re actually composed of three essential layers:

1. Oily Layer

This top layer, produced by the Meibomian glands in your eyelids, is like the protective cap of your tears. It prevents evaporation and keeps the tear film stable. Think of it as the lid on a pot that keeps the water from boiling away too quickly.

2. Watery Layer

Sitting in the middle, the watery layer hydrates and nourishes the eye, washing away dust and debris. This layer is produced by the lacrimal glands, located above each eye. 

3. Mucus Layer

The mucus layer forms the foundation, ensuring the watery layer spreads evenly across the eye. Without it, the tears would bead up and fail to coat the surface properly.

Tear Production and Distribution: The Symphony of Moisture

The production and flow of tears depend on several finely tuned components:

Lacrimal Glands: The Workhorses

These small but mighty glands are tucked under the outer corner of your upper eyelid. They produce the watery layer of your tears and ramp up production when your eyes need extra protection—whether it’s against a strong wind or a heartfelt movie.

Blinking: Nature’s Windshield Wiper

Every blink spreads the tear film across the surface of your eye, ensuring even coverage and clearing out irritants. Without regular blinking, your tear film can break up, leading to dry spots.

Tear Preservation: Keeping Tears in Place

Once tears are produced, it’s just as important to preserve them.

Meibomian Glands: The Gatekeepers of Moisture

These glands secrete the oily layer that prevents tears from evaporating too quickly. When these glands are blocked—a condition called Meibomian gland dysfunction—it leads to dry eye.

Punctum: The Drainage System

At the corners of your eyelids are tiny openings called puncta. These serve as drainage points for excess tears. 

Ocular Surface Disease and Dry Eye: A Fragile Relationship

Corneal Surface Damage

The cornea is the eye’s outermost layer, and it depends on a healthy tear film to stay smooth and clear. When the tear film is insufficient, it can lead to irritation, inflammation, and even damage to the cornea. Over time, this damage exacerbates dry eye symptoms, creating a vicious cycle.

Other Causes of Dry Eye

Dry eye isn’t always about tears evaporating too quickly. Reduced tear production due to aging, certain medications, or autoimmune conditions like Sjögren’s syndrome can also be culprits. Additionally, environmental factors like air conditioning or screen use can play a role.

Meibomian gland dysfunction is the most common cause of dry eye disease.There are 3 essential layers in your tears, one of them is the oil layer which originates from the meibomian glands in your eyelids. If there is any issue with the tiny meibomian glands, such as an obstruction, it can cause meibomian gland dysfunction which causes dry eye disease in the majority of cases. Meibomian gland dysfunction can also cause blepharitis which is an inflammation of your eyelids. In fact, meibomian gland dysfunction, blepharitis and dry eye disease are often found together.

Each type of treatment option serves its own purpose, making it important to consult with an optometrist to find the best method for each individual. For example:

Proper Eyelid Hygiene

This is essential for everyone, including those with blepharitis. This condition is treated with a special eyelid cleaner available in optometrists' clinics. It only takes a few minutes for an optometrist to clean the eyelid margins using specialized equipment, and maintaining hygiene with regular treatments is recommended.

Warm Compress

Used to remove obstructions in the oil glands, there are different kinds:

• Eye Mask: Special eye masks can be used at home. They simply need to be microwaved and then placed on top of the eyes to clean the eyelids and eyelashes, although they do not express the glands.

• Thermal Pulsation Treatment: Provided in clinics by optometrists, this treatment is considered by many specialists as the top method for treating meibomian gland dysfunction. It gently heats and massages the eyelids, allowing the glands to express and resume natural oil production, creating a much healthier eye surface.