Deficiency of any of the water, mucus or oil components of tears may cause the tear film to become unstable and saltier, with resultant poor wetting of the surface of the eye. The eye is very sensitive to drying and irritation and the usual symptoms are:
- soreness, itchiness, dryness, grittiness or burning
- blurred vision because the surface of the eye becomes irregular and optically imperfect
- dryness may trigger excessive “reflex” tears, resulting in watering of the eye
In assessing a dry eye problem, there is no substitute for careful examination by a Consultant Ophthalmologist. He will consider possible underlying causes and contributory factors related to your general health, medication and problems in and around the eye and also identify other eye conditions with similar symptoms.