Dry Eye Syndrome is actually a number of different conditions that have in common the production of tears that are defective or deficient in some way.

• The normal, healthy tear film that coats and lubricates the eye consists of several different components including oils, mucus and water as well as many other critical elements. If these components go out of balance the tear film is compromised and can cause both discomfort, ocular surface damage and vision loss.

• Causes of dry eye include aging, environmental factors, various medical and ocular conditions and the use of many common medications. Prolonged close range visual tasks such as using a computer can greatly aggravate this condition.

• Left untreated, this can lead to serious consequences. Fortunately, most cases of dry eye are not so drastic and, with many recent advances in accurate diagnosis and treatment, can be managed quite successfully so that good vision and comfort are maintained.

• Before cataract or laser vision correction surgery, treatment of any tear deficiency problem is now considered critical to a good outcome since dry eye can predispose to infections and unsatisfactory vision.