Critical Facts To Know About Recognizing And Treating Dry Eye

How Do Tears Relate To Dry Eye?

In a healthy eye, tears, known as basal tears, lubricate the cornea, which is the transparent, outer dome covering the surface of the eye. With every blink, a healthy eye will lubricate the cornea, providing protection from the outside environment as well as nourishing the cells in the eyes. These tears are a complex mixture of fatty oils, mucus, proteins, and water that keep the eye free from infection and irritants. Individuals with dry eye do not produce these tears in enough quantity or quality, causing irritation and other problems with the eyes. Dry eye can even create watery, teary eyes, as strange as that sounds, which is the body's way of compensating for the dehydration in the eye.

Get the details on the causes linked to dry eye next.