What is Dry Eye?

Dry eye is a condition that affects your tear film, the three layers of tears that cover and protect the surface of your eyes. You need a smooth and stable tear film to help you see clearly and comfortably. Disruptions to your tear film can cause uncomfortable symptoms like burning, itching, watering or blurred vision.

Many different factors can prevent your tear film from working as it should and lead to dry eye. That’s why healthcare providers consider dry eye a multifactorial disease. Its causes and risk factors are numerous and complex. So, it may take a while to get to the root of the problem and figure out what’s causing your symptoms.

If you think you have Dry Eye Syndrome you need to get a referral from your GP. You will then see one of Australian Eye Care’s trained staff for a comprehensive ophthalmic assessment. There are numerous ocular conditions that can present with symptoms of Dry Eye Syndrome.

Once Dry Eye Syndrome is confirmed you are referred to the Australian Eye Care Dry Eye Clinic for assessment and treatment.

What are the symptoms of dry eye?

When you have dry eye, you might feel like there’s something in your eye that just won’t come out. This can feel like a scratchy, gritty or sandy sensation. Symptoms may also include:

• Burning or stinging.

• Feeling sensitive to light.

• Blurred or changed vision.

• Mucus that comes out of your eye.

• Watery eyes, with excess tears running down your cheeks.

The watery eyes symptom may seem confusing. But it’s a common aspect of dry eye. It happens when your meibomian glands aren’t making enough oils for the outer layer of your tear film. So, the middle, watery layer of your tear film evaporates too quickly. In response, your lacrimal glands try to make more watery tears to compensate. But these tears can’t properly coat your eye, as the oily layer would. So, they can’t solve the underlying problem