What is Dry Eye Disease?

In a healthy eye, there is a layer of liquid that is always present called the tear film. This tear film is composed of a watery layer, an oil layer and a mucus layer. Together these three elements work together to keep the eye coated in a layer of tears.

When one or more of these elements is not working as it should, the eye is no longer covered in the proper layer of tears. This causes the eye to become dry and is called Dry Eye Disease.

What are the symptoms of Dry Eye Disease?

Dry Eye Disease has many uncomfortable symptoms. They can include:

• Burning or Stinging Eyes
• Gritty or dry sensation in the eyes
• Red Eyes
• Mucus in the eyes
• Blurred vision, or vision that fluctuates when you blink
• Excessive sensitivity to wind or the environment

The symptoms of dry eye are numerous, and can range from annoying to nearly debilitating.

Does this sound like you?

If you have one or more of the symptoms above, you may have dry eye disease. If you're feeling lost and not sure where to go next, please use our site as a resource. We recommend the following further reading:

• Diagnosing Dry Eye - Learn how to get a diagnosis of dry eye and what to expect at your optometrist or opthamologist's office.
• What Causes Dry Eye? - We explore the causes of dry eye and help you understand why you have dry eye.
• Types of Dry Eye - Learn about the two main types of dry eye and how to tell which one you have.
• Dry Eye Treatments - Learn about the treatments available for dry eye, from over the counter treatments to supplments to procedures to experimental clinical trials