Dry eye is an increasingly common multifactorial condition, affecting millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by an insufficient quantity or quality of tear film, essential to the health of the ocular surface. Affected patients may experience persistent discomfort, stinging, burning, itching, intermittent blurred vision, or the sensation of a foreign body in the eye. In chronic cases, it can impair quality of life and compromise long-term eye health.
Understanding the causes of dry eyes
One of the main causes identified is the Meibomian gland dysfunction (DGM), responsible for secretion of the tear lipid layer. This lipid layer is essential to prevent premature evaporation of the tear film. In the case of DGM, the glands can become obstructed or atrophied, leading to tear film instability and dryness symptoms.
Other factors can also contribute to the onset of dry eye: aging, hormonal imbalances, autoimmune pathologies (such as Sjögren's syndrome), prolonged exposure to screens, certain eye surgeries, or dry or air-conditioned environments.
Consultation diagnosis
The diagnosis of dry eye requires a thorough in-depth clinical assessmentbased on :
- Detailed questioning (symptoms, duration, aggravating factors),
- Tear film analysis testssuch as BUT (Break-Up Time) or the Schirmer test,
- Meibographyto visualize the state of the Meibomian glands,
- Assessment of ocular surface inflammation (fluorescein or lissamine green staining),
- And sometimes additional tests to assess tear quality.
