Eye Doctor in Olathe, KS | The Dry Eye Spa Ridgeview

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WHAT IS DRY EYE?

Dry eye and ocular surface disease are complex and include symptoms ranging from mildly annoying to debilitating. We have learned a lot about what causes dry eye in the past few years and therefore have new, exciting treatments that for the first time, are providing patients the relief they’ve been looking for.

Importance of
Tear Film

A stable tear film is critical to keep the eye comfortable and lubricated, maintain clear vision, and wash debris out of the eye. Dry eye symptoms occur when there is inflammation that changes the tear osmolarity, causing the tear film to be unstable.

The Tear Film is
Made Up of 3 Layers

Oily Layer
(Mucin)

Produced by the meibomian glands of the eyelids, the oily layer is the outer layer and prevents the tear film from evaporating

Oily Layer
(Mucin)

Aqueous Layer
(Watery)

Produced by the lacrimal gland, the aqueous (watery) layer is the middle layer that hydrates the eyes

Aqueous Layer
(Watery)

Mucin
Layer

Inner layer that helps adhere the tear film to the eyeball

Mucin
Layer

Normal Meibomian Glands VS. Meibomian Gland Dropout

Types of Dry Eye

For more than 80% of patients who suffer from dry eye, the oily layer is not working. Either the meibomian glands are clogged and not producing the oil, or the oil is of poor quality. When the oily layer is not working, the rest of the tear film evaporates in between blinks. This is known as evaporative dry eye disease caused by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). There are cases when people don’t produce enough of the watery layer of tears. This is called aqueous deficient dry eye disease.