Dry Eye Syndrome is commonly known as "Dry Eye". The medical term for dry eye is K eratoconjunctivitis Sicca or Keratitis Sicca. As the name says the dry eye occurs when you don't have enough tears on the surface of the eye to lubricate and this problem increases with the age.

The surface of the eye, called tear film, is comprised of three layers, viz.

•  The outer layer, called "Oily Layer", helps to reduce the tears to get evaporated.

•  The middle layer, called "Watery Layer", helps to supply the lubricant and helps to wash away the irritants.

•  The inner layer, called "Mucus Layer", helps the tear film to stick to the cornea.

There are many causes for a dry eye. The following are few of them:

• Insufficient production of tears
• Excessive evaporation of tears
• Infections at the corneal epithelium
• Damage of corneal epithelium caused by the general anaesthesia
• Insufficient or incomplete distribution of the tears because of the incomplete closure of the eyelids while blinking

Dry eyes affects women in the ratio of 5:1 when compared to men. Dry eyes may not lead to blindness in most cases, but they are painful, itchy and burning. You will feel as if there is a presence of a foreign body in your eyes. It certainly reduces your reading and driving abilities. Also increases the discomfort watching TV and looking at monitors.

Dryness increases when you stay in over-warmed room, smoke and hair dryers. So if you have a dry eye, you must avoid these places. The most common treatment that you may get to reduce the irritation is the eye drops. Some eye drops may contain preservatives that might irritate your eye while it helps lubrication. So you need to be cautious and choose what suits you best by consulting the eye surgeon. You need a proper diagnosis to receive the attention and treatment that your eye's condition warrants.