Your tears work to keep your eyes lubricated and protect them from irritants like dirt and dust.
When you blink, a layer of tearscalled tear filmcovers the eyes' surface.
Tears containing less oil evaporate more quickly, leading to eyelid inflammation and dry eyes.
Photo Illustration by Joules Garcia for Verywell Health; Getty Images.
Do I Have Dry Eye or Evaporative Dry Eye?
It is possible to have both types of dry eye simultaneously.
Summary
Your tears are made up of mucous, water, and oil.
Some people need to use a gel or ointment, which provide better lubrication than water-based drops.
National Eye Institute.How tears work.
Findlay Q, Reid K.Dry eye disease: when to treat and when to refer.
2018;41(5):160-163.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Evaporative dry eye: What you oughta know.
2021;128(4):621-624.
2023;12(3):1397.
Mukamal R/American Academy of Ophthalmology.Choosing the best lubricant eye drops for dry eyes.
Optometrists internet.Eyelid hygiene: why is it important?
National Eye Institute.Dry eye.
