Dry eye disease is a growing public health problem and one of the most common conditions seen by eye practitioners. It is an extremely common and often unrecognised disease affecting millions of people. It is a multifactorial disease of the tears and ocular surface that results in symptoms of discomfort, visual disturbance and tear film instability with potential damage to ocular surface.
Dry Eyes can progress through various stages - from mild to severe. Each stage can have different complications.
On examination in mild form of dry eyes, the tear film may show mucous debris and strings of mucoid discharge. The picture may be of a non-specific chronic conjunctivitis.
In moderate cases, there may be corneal epithelial erosions, punctate keratopathy, and filamentary keratitis.
Severe cases present with corneal ulcer, opacities and neovascularisation.
Condition