Welcome to McCain Family Eyecare; we are a husband and wife team located in South Lake Charles. We are dedicated to providing you with the highest quality ophthalmic care available. Our comprehensive eye examinations are for children as young as six months and adults of all ages.
Dry Eye Disease
What is Dry Eye?
Dry eye is a condition where there is a lack of quality tears to lubricate the surface of the eye. Tears are crucial for maintaining the health of the surface of the eye, as well as sustaining clear vision.
What are common symptoms of dryness?
- Watering of the eyes
- Burning Sensation
- Gritty Sensation
- Intermittent Blur
- Itching
The Three Layers of the Tear Film and Their Importance
Each time you blink, tears are spread across the surface of the eye. Your tear film has three layers: an oil (lipid layer), a aqueous layer, and a mucin layer.
- Oil (Lipid) Layer:
The outer layer. This layer reduces evaporation of the tears.
- Aqueous Layer:
The middle layer. This layer lubricates the eye and washes away debri.
- Mucin Layer:
The inner layer. This layer allows the tears to spread evenly across the surface of the eye and helps the tears stay in place.
When one or more of the layers of the tear film are not functioning correctly you may experience symptoms of dry eye.
What causes dry eyes?
Dry eyes can develop for numerous reasons, including:
- Age.
- Medications.
- Medical Conditions.
- Environmental Conditions.
- Other Factors.