What is Dry Eye Syndrome?

Dry eye syndrome is a chronic lack of sufficient lubrication and moisture in the eye. Its consequences range from subtle but constant irritation to ocular inflammation of the anterior (front) tissues of the eye.

Persistent dryness, scratching, and burning in your eyes are signs of dry eye syndrome. These symptoms alone may be enough for your eye doctor to diagnose dry eye syndrome. Sometimes he or she may want to measure the amount of tears in your eyes. A thin strip of filter paper placed at the edge of the eye, called a Schirmer Test, is one way of measuring this, another is by putting a green dye in your eye and the dry spots will take up the dye.

Some people also experience a "foreign body sensation," the feeling like there is something in the eye. And, it may seem odd, but sometimes watery eyes can result from dry eye syndrome, because the excessive dryness works to overstimulate the watery component of your eye's tears.

Tears bathe the eye, washing out dust and debris and keeping the eye moist. They also contain enzymes that neutralize the microorganisms that colonize the eye. Tears are essential for good eye health.

In dry eye syndrome, the eyes doesn't produce enough tears, or the tears have a chemical composition that causes them to evaporate too quickly.

Tomorrow the causes of Dry Eyes.....