Your eyes constantly produce tears at a slow and steady rate so that they stay moist and comfortable. Some people are not able to produce enough tears or the appropriate quality of tears to keep their eyes healthy or comfortable. This condition is known as dry eye.

• Scratchiness
• Stinging, burning sensation
• Stringy mucus discharge
• Blurry vision
• Excess tearing
• Tired eyes, not able to read or work for long

• Aging, especially for women after menopause
• Air pollution
• Prolonged  computer use
• Low humidity
• Hormonal changes, such as during pregnancy
• Sjögren’s syndrome, a condition which can cause dry eyes along with dry mouth and arthritis

• Complete examination of the eye surface
• Schirmer's test measures tear production by placing filter-paper strips between your eyeball and your lower lid diagnostic stains to check for patterns of dryness on the eye’s surface

• Eyedrops called "artificial tears" are used to lubricate the eyes and help maintain moisture. These come in different concentrations to be used depending on each patient’s degree of dryness.
• Punctal plugs close the channels through which tears drain from the eye. Punctal plugs can be temporary or permanent, and are easily and painlessly inserted in your eye doctor’s office.
• Ointments with vitamin A can help dry eye caused by unusual conditions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome or pemphigoid.
• Restasis (Cyclosporin A) eye drops is a medicated treatment that can help patients with severe, inflamed dry eyes that are not responding to other treatments.