How do I know if I have dry eyes?
Dry eye disease (also known as ‘keratoconjunctivitis sicca’) is a common condition that occurs when the eyes do not make enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly.
Symptoms usually affect both eyes and include gritty irritation, burning or mild pain, eyelids that stick together when you wake up, or temporarily blurred vision, which usually improves when you blink.
They are aggravated by air conditioning, prolonged reading or computer work, dry or blowing air and tend to be worse towards the end of the day.
What are tears and what do they do?
Tears are a complex mixture of water, salts, oils, proteins and mucus, which are produced by the lacrimal and meibomian glands and goblet cells in the conjunctiva covering the white of the eye. Tears help to keep the eye moist, prevent infection, and have a nourishing and lubricating role.