The eye depends on the flow of tears to provide constant moisture and lubrication to maintain vision and comfort. Tears are a combination of water, for moisture; oils, for lubrication; mucus, for even spreading; and antibodies and special proteins, for resistance to infection. These components are secreted by special glands located around the eye. When there is an imbalance in this tear system, a person may experience dry eyes
When tears do not adequately lubricate the a person may experience:
- Pain
- Light sensitivity
- A gritty sensation
- A feeling of a foreign body or sand in the eye
- Itching
- Redness
- Blurring of vison