Dry eye is a multifactorial disease of the ocular surface that is usually caused by a failure of the tear glands to produce enough liquid, or by a change in the composition of the tear film. The eye is then no longer optimally lubricated. General illnesses, such as diabetes or rheumatism, as well as many skin diseases may also cause dry eye.

Symptoms
Dry eye can have a wide range of symptoms. These include redness of the eyes, a sensation that objects are present on the eye, scratching, burning, sensitivity to light, tired eyes, swollen eyelids, incompatibility with contact lenses, problems with working in front of a screen, and tearing of the eyes.

What causes dry eye?
Dry eye can be caused by a variety of factors. For example, the production of tear fluid decreases with age. General illnesses, such as diabetes or rheumatism, as well as many skin diseases may also cause dry eye. Different types of medication, such as psychotropic drugs, sleeping pills or beta-blockers, may also cause dry eye as a side effect. Heating and air conditioning systems may cause increased evaporation of the tear film due to low humidity. In addition, working in front of a screen may also damage the tear film by reducing the intervals between blinks.

How can dry eye be diagnosed?
If we suspect that a patient is suffering from dry eye, we will perform a thorough analysis of the tear film. This includes measuring the tear film break up time and osmolarity, imaging of the meibomian glands and a detailed examination of the eye surface using corneal microscopes.

How can dry eye be treated?
Once the cause of dry eye has been identified, we will discuss the necessary measures with the patient. In this context, the severity of the condition is a crucial consideration. It may be necessary to supplement or modify any existing treatments. A wide range of additional measures are available, such as selecting the right eye drops, professional eyelid cleaning (BlephEx) or stimulation of the nerves using light (E-Eye), and we will inform you about these in a separate “dry eye” consultation session. This session also includes information on eyelid care and questions regarding make-up, for example.