Dry Eye
A Multifactorial Condition
Our natural tears protect our eyes and give them the moisture that is absolutely necessary for clear and
comfortable vision. Some people are unable to produce enough of these tears, while few others have
increased evaporation of tears, thereby leaving the eyes dry and easily irritated.
Dry eye is defined as follows:
Dry eye is a disease of the ocular surface attributable to different disturbances of the natural function and
protective mechanisms of the external eye, leading to an unstable tear film during the open eye state.
Dry Eye is also known as Dry Eye disease. (DED), Dry eye syndrome (DES), Ocular Surface Disease
(OSD) and very often it is called keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), even though KCS actually means
aqueous tear deficiency.