Dry Eye – Can You Cry?
Abstract
Overview
Ocular surface discomfort is often attributed to the symptoms of dry eye, but conditions affecting the lacrimal gland are uncommon. Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is extremely common and is a characteristic feature of many patients with dry eye symptoms. Most ophthalmologists choose some type of lubricant artificial tear drop as first-line treatment for dry eye symptoms, but this paper questions the rationale for this decision. Patients who can cry, or produce tears from any stimulus, demonstrate lacrimal gland function. This paper considers the rationale for employing a safe, effective, biodegradable warm compress as first-line treatment for MGD and associated dry eye symptoms.
Keywords
Dry eye, meibomian gland dysfunction, Sjögren syndrome, blepharitis, warm compress, EyeBag®, anthropocene
Article Information
Disclosure
Compliance with Ethics: This study involves a review of the literature and did not involve any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors. All images published with full patient consent and permissions. All photographs taken by the author.
Review Process
Double-blind peer review.
Authorship
The named authors meets the International
Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) criteria
for authorship of this manuscript, takes responsibility
for the integrity of the work as a whole, and has given
final approval for the version to be published.
Correspondence
Teifi James, The EyeBag Company, Unit 5, Calderdale Business Park, Club Lane. Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX2 8DB, UK. E: eyebag@me.com
Support
No funding was received for the publication of this article.
Received
18 November 2019
Further Resources
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