Dry Eyes Symptoms & Dry Eye Causes

Dry Eyes, Tears, & Mucus

Dryness is one of the most common eye complaints. Symptoms vary from mildly annoying intermittent dryness and burning to constant agonizing pain, disabling light sensitivity and blurred vision. Symptoms include burning, irritation, foreign body sensation (feeling something is “in” the eye), and fluctuating vision.

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Dry eyes result in symptoms such as sandy, burning, red eyes which if untreated will get worse over time. This will cause individuals to rub their eyes often abrading the cornea.

Tears are vital to the healthy functioning of the eye. They assist in keeping the eye comfortable and the vision optimal. Tears bathe the eye, washing out dust and debris and keeping the eye moist. They also contain enzymes that neutralize the microorganisms that colonize the eye.

Tears are composed of three layers. Tears are a combination of water, for moisture; oils, for lubrication; mucus, for even spreading; and antibodies and special proteins, for resistance to infection. These components are secreted by special glands located around the eye. Tears are a complex solution of proteins, salts, lipids and mucins. These play a hydrating, immunological, nourishing and lubricating role.

Factors For Dry Eye Causes & For Dry Eyes Symptoms

Dry Eyes can be caused by several factors which include those relating to less tears and less moisture within the eyes.

Dry eyes can also be a symptom of other diseases that affect us as we age. Dry eyes affect about 7 in 100 people in their 50s, and about 15 in 100 people in their 70s. Women are affected more often than men.

Dry eyes are a frequent problem that can be cause by a lot of different factors.