What is evaporative dry eye?

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Evaporative dry eye is a prevalent form of dry eye syndrome which is an uncomfortable condition brought about by the lack of tears.

In most cases, it is caused by an obstruction within the oil glands lining the borders of the eyelids. These oil glands or Meibomian glands produce oil to cover the surface of the eye and prevent drying out of the tears.

What are the signs?

evaporative-dry-eye
The indications of evaporative dry eye tend to vary in seriousness.

The indications of evaporative dry eye tend to vary in seriousness. Generally, the eyes feel uncomfortable. The discomfort might include:

  • Stinging sensation
  • Grittiness or sand in the eyes
  • Light sensitivity
  • Blurry vision
  • Unable to tolerate contact lenses
  • Eye fatigue especially after reading or working on a computer

The eyes might appear evidently reddened or the eyelids become swollen.

What are the causes?

Once the Meibomian glands are blocked or swollen, the tears do not include the adequate amount of oil to prevent them from evaporating which leads to evaporative dry eye.

There are various reasons why the glands become blocked. If one does not blink regularly, debris might buildup on the borders of the eyelids which blocks the Meibomian glands.

Other factors that can disrupt the Meibomian glands include:

  • Eye injuries
  • Skin conditions such as psoriasis, rosacea or scalp and facial dermatitis
  • Eye surgery
  • Exposure to some toxins
  • Prolonged use of contact lenses
  • Vitamin A deficiency
  • Allergies
  • Certain medications such as antidepressants, antihistamines, hormone replacement therapy, retinoids, decongestants or diuretics
  • Some health conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, thyroid conditions and diabetes

If evaporative dry eye is promptly treated, the blockage in the Meibomian gland can be reversed.

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