Dry eye: an underestimated ocular pathology

Dry eye is an ocular pathology of the tear film caused by a decrease in tear production or excessive tear evaporation.

Dry eye greatly influences daily life, producing a feeling of eyestrain and dejection.

This disease affects 30% of the population and requires a personalized diagnosis and treatment.

86% of dry eye is caused by tear evaporation.

Evaporation occurs as a consequence of an obstruction or malfunction of the meibomian glands, located in the eyelids and whose function is to produce the lipid layer of the tear. When this stratum is insufficient or absent, it causes tear evaporation up to 16 times higher than normal values.

How can I identify it?

Dry eye presents several symptoms, among them:

  • Foreign body sensation in the eye
  • Itching
  • Eye irritation
  • Redness
  • Blurred vision

Risk Factors

  • Allergic conjunctivitis
  • Menopause
  • Hormonal imbalance
  • Frequent use of contact lenses
  • Chronic blepharitis
  • Prolonged use of electronic devices such as tablets, cell phones, computer, television, etc.
  • Systemic drugs
  • Excessive use of air conditioning or heating

As for treatment, there are several alternatives ranging from: the use of artificial tears (eye drops), to the latest generation of therapeutic treatments such as IPL (pulsed light / modulated light) with very satisfactory results.

If you have any symptoms, do not hesitate to consult your ophthalmologist.