For the eyes to be healthy and to function properly, they require an adequate and consistent layer of tears on the surface. A healthy tear film is made up of three components. Each of these components are produced from different sources in the eye. Disruption or deficiency in any of these tear layers can result in one to experience the symptoms of dry eyes. Dry eye or in its more severe form, keratoconjuctivitis sicca, the symptoms can include any of the following:
dryness, burning, a sandy-gritty eye irritation, often gets worse as the day goes on or with prolonged reading or screen viewing, may also be described as itchy, scratchy, stinging or tired eyes, pain, redness, a pulling sensation, fluctuating vision and watering. Watering occurs as a result of reflex tearing that is brought on by the irritation associated with dry eyes. These reflex tears are more watery than normal tears.