Dry eye syndrome and the tear film

Dry eye syndrome (also known as Dry Eye Disease) occurs when environmental and other factors reduce the quantity and quality of your tears.

Dry eye syndrome (also known as Dry Eye Disease) occurs when environmental and other factors reduce the quantity and quality of your tears.

Healthy tears protect your eyes

The surface of your eye (called the cornea) is covered in a ‘tear film’ made up of several layers working together to keep the cornea healthy.

CORNEA (eye surface) MUCIN LAYER Watery AQUEOUS LAYER Oily LIPID LAYER Healthy tear film CORNEA (eye surface) MUCIN LAYER Watery AQUEOUS LAYER Oily LIPID LAYER Healthy tear film The MUCIN LAYER Helps hold hydration to the surface of the eye. CORNEA (eye surface) MUCIN LAYER Watery AQUEOUS LAYER Oily LIPID LAYER Healthy tear film Makes up most of the tear film. It provides hydration and natural salt balance. The watery AQUEOUS LAYER CORNEA (eye surface) MUCIN LAYER Watery AQUEOUS LAYER Oily LIPID LAYER Healthy tear film On the surface of the tear film holds in moisture by preventing tears from evaporating. The oily LIPID LAYER

When your tear film works in the way it should, it keeps the cornea moist and lubricated, acting as the first line of defence for eyes. It cleans the eye surface and protects it from injury and infection.

When tear quality and quantity are reduced, the eye’s surface can become irritated, resulting in the symptoms that affect your everyday life.

Common symptoms can include:

  • Occasional blurry vision
  • Red eyes
  • Gritty, scratchy
  • Watery, sticky
  • Sore/stinging or itchy
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Occasional blurry vision
  • Red eyes
  • Gritty, scratchy
  • Watery, sticky
  • Sore/stinging or itchy
  • Sensitivity to light

Did you know?

Women are around 2 x more likely than men to develop dry eyes.1,2

Women are around 2 x more likely than men to develop dry eyes.1,2

People who wear contact lenses are up to 4 X more likely than non-contact lens wearers to develop the condition.1

People who wear contact lenses are up to 4 X more likely than non-contact lens wearers to develop the condition.1

Certain medications and  some medical conditions  may also increase the risk.

Certain medications and some medical conditions may also increase the risk.

References: 1. Stapleton F. et al. Ocul Surf 2017; 15(3):334–365. 2. Dana R. et al. Am J Ophthalmol, 2019; 202:47–54.

Buy online or over the counter from
leading pharmacies and optometrists