With drier weather of windy fall and cold winter, added to our hours on the computer, come increased dry, burning, and itchy eyes, known as dry eye syndrome. This is the number one complaint that eye doctors hear from patients. Most of us experience it at least from time to time.

Some nutrients and formulations are especially helpful.

Why Dry Eyes Develop

Dry eye syndrome (DES) develops either because fewer tears are produced (aqueous-deficient DES) or tears evaporate too quickly (hyper-evaporative DES).

The moisture-laden surface of the eye contains three interrelated layers known as the tear film. If their balance is lost the tear film deteriorates and we experience dry eye.  The innermost layer is a mucous layer of electrolytes, proteins and water.  Outside that is a thicker, more watery aqueous layer that is mildly alkaline. And the outer protecting lipid layer made of oily meibum that keeps the tear film from evaporating.

Eye surgery often damages the goblet cells floating in the conjunctiva which supply mucin to create the thin mucous layer. Lacrimal glands, which can become blocked, supply the pH 7.4 watery fluid which is pumped across the surface of the eye by blinking. They are linked to nerves (making you tear up when smoke gets in your eyes) and are also linked to the lymphatic system (helping remove debris).  Meibomian glands can become blocked and dysfunctional, resulting in too rapid evaporation of the tear film.