Dry eye, also called dry eye syndrome, occurs when tear production is inadequate or when tears have an abnormal consistency and therefore evaporate too quickly.
Dryness can be short-lived or persist over time (chronic condition); it can affect anyone, but it is definitely more common as age increases, when it comes to affect up to one in three in the elderly population.
It can combine with a range of symptoms such as discomfort and pain and may be associated with inflammation of the surface of the eye; if left untreated this condition can result in pain, ulcers, corneal scarring, and partial loss of vision. Permanent vision loss as a result of dry eye, however, is uncommon.
