Dry eye disease can show itself to different people in different ways, and some days may feel different from others. Irritated eyes can make you feel unhappy and uncomfortable. You may have redness and inflammation at the eyelid margins, and/or a dandruff-like appearance on your eyelashes. Your eyelashes may appear oily and slimy, and your vision may be variable. Eyes may feel burning, stingy, gritty or even watery.
This happens because your tear layer is a finely balanced mixture of oils, water and mucus that combine to coat and protect the surface of your eye. There are many factors that influence the make up of your tears including environment, diet, stress, sleep patterns as well as general health and medications. If this balance is disrupted your tear layer can fall into a vicious cycle of increasing severity that needs to be broken before you get any relief.
Everything you need to know about dry eye.
