Understanding Dry Eye Disease in Barrie

Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is a problem with the small glands that produce the oily component of your tears. If the oil balance in the tears is thrown off, you may feel a burning or itching sensation, or feel like sand or dust has made it way into your eye.

MGD is the most common cause of dry eye symptoms. Since the oily layer is meant to keep tears on your eye and smooth the surface of the eye while blinking, it’s no wonder problems with the glands cause dry eye.

Treatments for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction are available! Check out our dry eye treatment page to explore our offerings.

Dry eye disease is caused by a disruption in the eye’s healthy tear film. The tear film spreads across your eye whenever you blink and keeps your eye’s surface clear and smooth.

There are 3 layers of the tear film:

• The oily layer is the outside of the tear film, which stops the tears from drying up quickly
• The watery layer is the middle of the tear film, which cleans the eye, washing away any irritants
• The mucus layer is the inner layer of the tear film, which helps the tears adhere to the eye

If any of these tear layers is incapable of performing its job, dryness can occur.

There are plenty of factors that can cause the tear film to perform incorrectly:

• Environmental factors
• Medications
• Aging
• Autoimmune conditions
• Diabetes
• Thyroid conditions
• Vitamin A deficiency
• Inflammatory skin and eyelid disorders
• Digital Eye Strain
• Laser Eye Surgery
• Contact Lenses