How Tears Evaporate and Lead to Dry Eye
Medically reviewed by Christine L. Larsen, MDMedically reviewed by Christine L. Larsen, MDYour tears work to keep your eyes lubricated and protect them from irritants like dirt and dust. Tears are made up of three layers: a mucous, watery, and oily layer, each of which comes together from separate glands. When the gland that produces the oily layer doesn't function properly, it can cause the tears to evaporate more quickly, leading to inflammation and dry eye.
Photo Illustration by Joules Garcia for Verywell Health; Getty Images
Tears and Evaporation: What HappensTears help lubricate and protect the eyes from irritation (such as dirt and dust) and infections. When you blink, a layer of tears—called tear film—covers the eyes' surface.The tear film has these three layers:A mucous layer: Helps the tear film to stick to the eye surface; it is the innermost layer.A watery layer: Helps maintain wetness in the eye; it is the middle layer. An oily layer: Stops tears from drying up too rapidly; it is the outer layer. Meibomian gland dysfunction occurs when the glands on the edge of your eyelids (near your eyelashes) make insufficient or poor-quality oil. Tears containing less oil evaporate more quickly, leading to eyelid inflammation and dry eyes.
Related: Symptoms of Dry Eye
Do I Have Dry Eye or Evaporative Dry Eye?Most people with diagnosed dry eye have evaporative dry eye, which accounts for more than 85% of dry eye disease. Evaporative dry eye occurs when the tear film has an insufficient oily layer, leading to greater tear evaporation.Evaporative dry eye symptoms include:Awakening with a dry eye feelingEye irritationFeeling like your eyelids are stuck to your eyeballsRed eyesThe less common form of dry eye is aqueous-deficient dry eye, which results from a lowered aqueous (watery fluid) production from the lacrimal glands (glands that produce tears). Aqueous-deficient dry eye symptoms are similar to those of evaporative dry eye.It is possible to have both types of dry eye simultaneously.
Related: What Causes Dry Eyes?
How to Increase Eye LubricationA few things you can do to increase your eye lubrication are:Use over-the-counter (OTC) eye lubricants: OTC eye lubricants—or artificial tears—are products with oil-based ingredients specifically formulated for evaporative dry eye. They can make your tear film thicker, helping to reduce tear evaporation.Try preservative-free lubricants: If you use them more than a couple of times a day, preservative-free lubricants do a better job of filtering out bacteria, thus reducing your risk of an eye infection.Consider product type and timing: Heavy eye gels and ointments can make it harder to see, so use them before going to bed or when you're home but do not have any major visual demands. Use a liquid lubricant when doing important vision-related tasks.Practice lid hygiene: Warm compresses on the eyelids or lid scrubs can help increase the flow of meibum (an oil-based secretion) in the eyes.Try prescription-based treatments: An eye doctor can prescribe eye drops or recommend other treatments, such as tear duct plugs.Artificial Tears Not Helping If you have tried artificial tears for your evaporative dry eye without success, there could be a few reasons, such as:Your dry eye requires stronger lubrication (you may need a dry eye gel or ointment instead of artificial tears).You may need a different type of artificial tear (many people find that certain products work better for them than others. If you're not already using one, you may need lubrication that targets the oily layer of your tears).The tears may have preservatives that irritate your eyes.You may need a prescription-based treatment to target the cause of your dry eye.If these strategies don't work, see an eye doctor to investigate the cause of your dry eye.Summary Your tears are made up of mucous, water, and oil. When your eyes don't produce enough oil, the tears evaporate more quickly, leading to inflammation and dryness. You can use over-the-counter artificial tears for evaporative dry eye, but you may need to try different brands before finding one that works best. Some people need to use a gel or ointment, which provide better lubrication than water-based drops.Make an appointment with an eye doctor to help you pinpoint what type of dry eye you have and any potentially effective treatments. Read the original article on Verywell Health.
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