Chronic Dry Eye: A Closer Look

Tear Quality of Healthy Eyes

Healthy eyes produce tears that contain natural nutrients and lubricants that create a film that cleanses, protects and moisturizes the surface of your eye.

A normal tear film contains a complex mix of over 200 electrolytes, proteins, nutrients, growth factors and antimicrobial factors that protect and nourish the eye surface.

Click on the "Healthy Tear Film" and "Chronic Dry Eye" buttons in the illustration below to see how the tear film is affected by Chronic Dry Eye.

Electrolytes

Electrolytes help maintain a moist, lubricating, protective and healthy tear film over your eyes.

Proteins

Normal tears contain a mixture of proteins that help protect your eyes from infection and maintain general eye health.

Immunoglobulins and Cytokines

Immunoglobulins trigger your immune system to defend your eyes when needed.

Cytokines help your eyes fight microorganisms that may cause infection as well as other threats and irritants.

(Sometimes Cytokines cause the wrong signals to be sent to the tear-producing lacrimal gland, which can lead to a malfunction in that gland and in the quantity and quality of tear production – and Chronic Dry Eye.)

Growth and wound-healing factors

Growth factors in the tear film help to stimulate the development of new cells for the cornea. When your eyes are injured, wound-healing factors are activated, speeding tissue growth and regeneration.