Dry Eye Syndrome
What is Dry Eye?
Dry eye is a multifactorial disease of the tears and ocular surface that results in symptoms of discomfort1, visual disturbance and tear film instability with potential damage to the ocular surface.
It is accompanied by increased osmolarity of the tear film and inflammation of the ocular surface.
Classification of Dry Eye
The Definition and Classification Subcommittee of the DEWS 2007 subsequently developed an updated etiology-based classification system.
Aqueous tear-deficient dry eye
- ADDE is also known as tear deficient dry eye or lacrimal tear deficiency, is associated with reduced lacrimal secretion.
- Diminished lacrimal secretion and volume may be caused by lacrimalvacinar damage or dysfunction. Reduction of the aqueous tear pool leads to tear hyperosmolarity, which gives rise to hyperosmolarity of the ocular surface epithelia and provokes an inflammatory response.
Evaporative dry eye
- (EDE) results from excessive loss of water by the ocular surface despite normal function of the lacrimal glands.
Online Resources
-
What other information on Dry Eye Syndrome do I need to know?