A A A
Find a specialist
Tears
Dry eye

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:

Tear film

Dry eye may be related to a change in the quantity or quality of the tear film:

  • Lipid layer : lack of or poor-quality oil in the tears
  • Aqueous layer : lack of or poor-quality water in the tears
  • Mucin layer : poor adhesion of tears to the surface of the eye
Eyelids

Dry eye may be associated with certain eyelid abnormalities:

  • Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)
  • Blinking : incomplete blinking
  • Telangiectasia --> small blood vessels in and/or on the eyelids
  • Blepharitis : inflammation of the eyelids
  • Demodex : presence of mites on the eyelashes
Ocular Surface

Dry eye may be related to abnormalities of the ocular surface:

  • Cellular damage : alteration of corneal or conjunctival cells
  • Corneal nerve dysfunction : disruption of sensitivity and tear regulation
  • Inflammation / Oxidative stress : weakening of the ocular surface
1
2
3

More than 80% of cases are linked to Meibomian gland dysfunction and eyelid inflammation.

Oeil sain
Healthy eye
Oeil sec
Dry eye

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 meibograde 1

0% loss
Healthy patient

Grade 1 meibograde 1

1 à 25% loss
Signs of malfunction

Grade 2 meibograde

26 à 50% loss
Pathological patient

Grade 3 meibograde

51 à 75% loss
Pathological patient

Grade 4 meibograde 1

76 à 100% loss
Pathological patient

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.

Eyes feel dry

Excessive watering

Eyelids stuck together

Problems with vision

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.
cause secheresse oculaire ecrans
HEAVY SCREEN USE
Causes a reduction in the rate of complete blinks. We blink half as much when looking at a screen.
cause secheresse oculaire medicaments
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.
cause secheresse oculaire inflammation
INFLAMMATION
Inflammation of the eyelids (blepharitis) is caused by conditions such as rosacea, seborrhoeic dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema and eye allergies.
cause secheresse oculaire maladie auto imune
AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES
Sjögren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV, hepatitis etc.
cause secheresse oculaire maquillage
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.
logo tfosdews

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 OSDI-6 questionnaire (six questions) provided on our site.

Take the test!
secheresse oculaire medecin

OSDI-6

1
Symptoms and Visual Disturbance

Have you experienced any of the following during a typical day in the last month?

Eyes that are sensitive to light(Required)
Blurred vision?(Required)

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.

DIAGNOSIS
DIAGNOSIS
TREATMENT
TREATMENT
Vous quittez le site en version française
En cliquant sur ce lien, vous allez quitter le site masecheresseoculaire.fr, souhaitez-vous continuer ?
Annuler
Vous quittez le site en version française
En cliquant sur ce lien, vous allez quitter le site masecheresseoculaire.fr, souhaitez-vous continuer ?
Annuler
Vous quittez le site en version française
En cliquant sur ce lien, vous allez quitter le site masecheresseoculaire.fr, souhaitez-vous continuer ?
Annuler
Vous quittez le site en version française
En cliquant sur ce lien, vous allez quitter le site masecheresseoculaire.fr, souhaitez-vous continuer ?
Annuler