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What is dry eye?

Dry eye is one of the most common reasons for consulting an ophthalmologist, after sight tests. This very common disease affects the surface of the eye and the eyelids. There are several different kinds of dry eye:

Evaporative dry eye
Also known as dry eye associated with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD): the lipid layer is insufficient or of poor quality, meaning it cannot limit the evaporation of tears (water)
Aqueous deficient dry eye
Caused by insufficient production of tears (aqueous layer, water)
Mixed dry eye
Evaporative and aqueous deficient dry eye
1
2
3

The most common form is evaporative dry eye (over 80% of cases).

What do these types
of dry eye involve?

  • Abnormal tear evaporation, due to insufficient lipids (oil)
  • Insufficient tear production, due to insufficient water in the tears
  • Unbalanced tear composition
  • Low frequency, incomplete blinking
  • Inflammation of the eyelids

What are the meibomian glands?

The meibomian glands are small glands located in the upper and lower eyelids that secrete the lipid layer of tears. Dry eye associated with meibomian gland dysfunction is the most common form of dry eye and results in:

  • Reduced lipid (oil) production
  • Poor quality oil: the oil hardens and blocks the meibomian glands, meaning it cannot be released
  • Obstruction and atrophy of the meibomian glands

The resultant thinning of the lipid layer leads to excessive evaporation of the aqueous layer (water).

Grade

0% loss
Healthy patient

No telangiectasia

Glands straight and complete
Grade

1 à 25% loss
Signs of malfunction

Some telangiectasias <

Tortunous glands <

Clogged glands <
Grade

26 à 50% loss
Pathological patient

Multiple telangiectasias <

Dilated glands <

Atrophied glands <
Grade

51 à 75% loss
Pathological patient

Multiple telangiectasias <

Atrophied glands <

Disappearance of numerous glands
Grade

76 à 100% loss
Pathological patient

Multiple telangiectasias <

Atrophied glands <

Disappearance of numerous glands
Grade 0
Grade 1
Grade 2
Grade 3
Grade 4

What are the symptoms of dry eye?

What are the symptoms of dry eye?

  • Dry eye sensation, stinging, itching, irritation, burning, gritty feeling
  • Visual fatigue, blurred vision
  • Sensitivity to light, wind or cigarette smoke
  • Difficulty opening eyes in the morning (eyelids stuck together)
  • No tears when cutting onions or feeling emotional
  • Excessive watering in windy or cold weather, or when reading
  • Difficulties wearing contact lenses
  • Eyelid conditions (chalazion, styes, blepharitis, MGD, Demodex etc.)

But sometimes dry eye has no symptoms.

What causes dry eye?

Dry eye can affect anyone, and has a wide range of causes:

cause secheresse oculaire age
AGE
When we get older, the lacrimal glands atrophy and no longer produce enough tears, or produce tears of poor quality.
Déséquilibre hormonaux
HORMONE IMBALANCES
Women are more likely to suffer dry eye during pregnancy or after the menopause.
L'exposition aux écrans est une cause de la sécheresse oculaire
HEAVY SCREEN USE
Causes a reduction in the rate of complete blinks. We blink half as much when looking at a screen.
Le médicament est une cause de la sécheresse oculaire
MEDICATIONS
Certain medications can cause dry eye, including antidepressants, painkillers, sleeping pills, antihistamines, acne drugs, diarrhoea drugs, hormone treatments, and preservatives in eye drops.
cause secheresse oculaire chirurgie
EYE SURGERY
Cataract surgery and refractive surgery (LASIK) can damage the surface of the eye and cause or worsen dry eye.
cause secheresse oculaire pollution
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Smoke, pollution, air conditioning, dry air, sun exposure.
cause secheresse oculaire lentille contact
CONTACT LENS USE
Long-term use of contact lenses can result in dry eye.
cause secheresse oculaire
DEMODEX INFECTIONS
Demodex infections (parasites found in the eyelashes) can cause dry eye.
L'inflammation est une cause de la sécheresse oculaire
INFLAMMATION
Inflammation of the eyelids (blepharitis) is caused by conditions such as rosacea, seborrhoeic dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema and eye allergies.
Les maladies auto-imunes sont une cause de la sécheresse oculaire
AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES
Sjögren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV, hepatitis etc.
Le maquillage est une cause de la sécheresse oculaire
EXCESSIVE MAKE-UP
Heavy use of make-up on the eyelashes and along the edge of the eyelids increases the chance of suffering from dry eye.
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Unsure? Take the test and get your results in a few clicks

Think you may have dry eye? Take two minutes to assess your symptoms using the DEQ-5 questionnaire (five questions) provided on our site.

secheresse oculaire medecin

DEQ-5

1
Questions about EYE DISCOMFORT
During a typical day in the past month, how often did your eyes feel discomfort?(Required)
When your eyes felt discomfort, how intense was this feeling of discomfort at the end of the day, within two hours of going to bed?(Required)
0 Never have it -> 5 Very intense

How is dry eye diagnosed and treated?

New imaging tests and IPL (intense pulsed light) treatments—all completely painless—are now available alongside a range of other diagnostic and treatment options for dry eye.

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