There are two main forms of dry eye: Evaporative and Aqueous Deficient.

Aqueous deficient dry eye occurs when the Lacrimal Gland, which produces the watery portion of the tears, does not produce enough AQUEOUS to keep the eye comfortable and moist. Decreased tear production associated with dry eye may be caused by any condition that decreases sensation of the cornea (the transparent membrane covering the iris and pupil) or damages the tear glands, called lacrimal glands. As corneal sensation is part of the tear-making response, eyes with decreased sensation will tear less. Some of the causes of decreased corneal sensation include long-term contact lens wear and certain viral infections. The most common cause of lacrimal gland damage is Sjögren’s syndrome, a chronic inflammatory disease in which mucous membranes, especially those in the eyes and the mouth, become extremely dry. Primary Sjögren’s occurs alone with no other associated disorders, while secondary Sjögren’s is often accompanied by other autoimmune disorders such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.

Treatment for this type of dry eye consists of using:

• preservative free artificial tears to replace the moisture

• punctal plugs to stop the tears from draining quite so fast and keep more tears on the eye for a longer period of time

• Restasis / Xiidra

• Drinking more water

• Using a humidifier