{"id":43329,"date":"2025-06-13T09:27:38","date_gmt":"2025-06-13T09:27:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/naturaleyecare.com\/?post_type=vision&#038;p=43329"},"modified":"2025-12-08T14:52:23","modified_gmt":"2025-12-08T14:52:23","slug":"dry-eye","status":"publish","type":"vision","link":"https:\/\/naturaleyecare.com\/eye-conditions\/dry-eye\/","title":{"rendered":"Dry Eyes"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"43329\" class=\"elementor elementor-43329\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-47d91a40 e-con-full e-flex cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"47d91a40\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-49ad5521 e-con-full e-flex cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-child\" data-id=\"49ad5521\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-49d8af0e cmsmasters-block-default cmsmasters-sticky-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"49d8af0e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/naturaleyecare.com\/ocular-support\/moisture-support\/\">Vitamins\/supplements<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/naturaleyecare.com\/ocular-support\/moisture-support\/#self\">What to do<\/a> \u00a0\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/naturaleyecare.com\/faq\/questions-about-dry-eyes\/\">FAQ<\/a><\/p>\n\n<p>Dry, itchy eyes, or &#8220;Dry Eye Syndrome&#8221; is the most common complaint that eye doctors hear from patients. Americans of both sexes, of all ages, and of all racial backgrounds have mild or severe instances of dry itchy eyes.<\/p>\n\n<p>The eyes often reflect a larger problem that needs to be treated systemically. Certain nutrients such as vitamins A, C, D, E, &amp; B6, Magnesium, GLA &amp; DHA, Mucopolysaccharides (mucopolysaccharides are sugar molecules clumped together in a long chain) &amp; tumeric may help ease chronic and severe dry eyes.<\/p>\n\n<p>Dry itchy eyes are often related to other health conditions in the body such as other mucous membrane dryness, brittle nails, and in interior surfaces like the joints. The condition can an indicator of digestive imbalances or of serious autoimmune diseases, like Sjogren&#8217;s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, or lupus erythematosus.<\/p>\n\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/naturaleyecare.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/menu-terms.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/>\u00a0Next:\u00a0<a id=\"CE1\" href=\"https:\/\/naturaleyecare.com\/ocular-support\/moisture-support\/\">Nutritional support, diet, &amp; lifestyle tips<\/a>\u00a0for dry eyes.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-307c6ee8 e-con-full e-flex cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"307c6ee8\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7adacf71 e-n-tabs-mobile cmsmasters-block-default cmsmasters-sticky-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-tabs\" data-id=\"7adacf71\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;tabs_justify_horizontal&quot;:&quot;start&quot;,&quot;horizontal_scroll&quot;:&quot;disable&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"nested-tabs.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-n-tabs\" data-widget-number=\"2061160305\" aria-label=\"Tabs. Open items with Enter or Space, close with Escape and navigate using the Arrow keys.\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"e-n-tabs-heading\" role=\"tablist\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"e-n-tab-title-20611603051\" data-tab-title-id=\"e-n-tab-title-20611603051\" class=\"e-n-tab-title\" aria-selected=\"true\" data-tab-index=\"1\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"e-n-tab-content-20611603051\" style=\"--n-tabs-title-order: 1;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"e-n-tab-title-text\">\n\t\t\t\tSymptoms\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<button id=\"e-n-tab-title-20611603052\" data-tab-title-id=\"e-n-tab-title-20611603052\" class=\"e-n-tab-title\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab-index=\"2\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"e-n-tab-content-20611603052\" style=\"--n-tabs-title-order: 2;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"e-n-tab-title-text\">\n\t\t\t\tDiagnosis\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<button id=\"e-n-tab-title-20611603053\" data-tab-title-id=\"e-n-tab-title-20611603053\" class=\"e-n-tab-title\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab-index=\"3\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"e-n-tab-content-20611603053\" style=\"--n-tabs-title-order: 3;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"e-n-tab-title-text\">\n\t\t\t\tCauses\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<button id=\"e-n-tab-title-20611603054\" data-tab-title-id=\"e-n-tab-title-20611603054\" class=\"e-n-tab-title\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab-index=\"4\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"e-n-tab-content-20611603054\" style=\"--n-tabs-title-order: 4;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"e-n-tab-title-text\">\n\t\t\t\tHow Your Eyes Stay Moist\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<button id=\"e-n-tab-title-20611603055\" data-tab-title-id=\"e-n-tab-title-20611603055\" class=\"e-n-tab-title\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab-index=\"5\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"e-n-tab-content-20611603055\" style=\"--n-tabs-title-order: 5;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"e-n-tab-title-text\">\n\t\t\t\tNews\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"e-n-tabs-content\">\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"e-n-tab-content-20611603051\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-tab-title-20611603051\" data-tab-index=\"1\" style=\"--n-tabs-title-order: 1;\" class=\"e-active elementor-element elementor-element-6b09747b e-con-full e-flex cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6b09747b\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d86ed8c cmsmasters-block-default cmsmasters-sticky-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d86ed8c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 id=\"symptoms\">Symptoms<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6da25f2 e-con-full e-flex cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6da25f2\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-57a244c9 e-con-full e-flex cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-child\" data-id=\"57a244c9\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6fadb41 elementor-widget-widescreen__width-initial cmsmasters-block-default cmsmasters-sticky-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6fadb41\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Symptoms typically include irritation, dryness, burning, grittiness, difficulty reading for long periods of time, and, even though it may seem contradictory, excessive watering or tearing as the eyes attempt to solve the problem.<\/p>\n\n<p>There are three interrelated layers of the &#8220;tear film&#8221; &#8211; the moisture laden surface of the eye and continuity of that surface and the production of tears relies on the function of three interrelated layers:<\/p>\n<ul>\n \t<li><strong>Mucus layer<\/strong>\u00a0which has some anti-microbial properties.<\/li>\n \t<li>Slightly alkaline\u00a0<strong>watery layer<\/strong>\u00a0comprising up 90% of the thickness of the tear film.<\/li>\n \t<li><strong>Oily layer<\/strong>\u00a0which slows evaporation of the tear film.<\/li>\n \t<li><strong>Blinking<\/strong>\u00a0renews the tear film by bringing material from the watery and oily layers removing debris. While normal blink rate is about 10-12 blinks per minute, when working on the computer our blink rate often slows. After about 10 seconds the tear film becomes unstable &#8211; leading to tired, dry eyes. This is also partially true when the blink is incomplete &#8211; not fully covering the cornea. It is the cornea that tells the brain to send messages to the body to produce more or less tears and when to blink.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"e-n-tab-content-20611603052\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-tab-title-20611603052\" data-tab-index=\"2\" style=\"--n-tabs-title-order: 2;\" class=\" elementor-element elementor-element-30d6391f e-con-full e-flex cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-child\" data-id=\"30d6391f\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c533a8e e-con-full e-flex cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6c533a8e\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1f417046 cmsmasters-block-default cmsmasters-sticky-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1f417046\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 id=\"types\">Diagnosis<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-67a84a3 e-con-full e-flex cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-child\" data-id=\"67a84a3\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3d6d7a73 elementor-widget-widescreen__width-initial elementor-widget__width-inherit cmsmasters-block-default cmsmasters-sticky-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3d6d7a73\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThere are a number of tests used by eye doctors to find the source of problems &#8211; which layer of the tear film is involved:\n<ul>\n \t<li>Schirmer tear test (commonly used in dry eye research)<\/li>\n \t<li>Tear film break-up time (10 seconds) (commonly used in dry eye research)<\/li>\n \t<li>Conjunctival impression cytology (commonly used in dry eye research)<\/li>\n \t<li>Rose Bengal staining pattern<\/li>\n \t<li>Tear Osmolarity<\/li>\n \t<li>Tear protein levels (lactoferrin and lysozyme)<\/li>\n \t<li>Presence of corneal filaments<\/li>\n \t<li>Evaluation of debris in tear film<\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"e-n-tab-content-20611603053\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-tab-title-20611603053\" data-tab-index=\"3\" style=\"--n-tabs-title-order: 3;\" class=\" elementor-element elementor-element-6272f94 e-con-full e-flex cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6272f94\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6e6b0c2e e-con-full e-flex cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6e6b0c2e\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4a02e1c1 cmsmasters-block-default cmsmasters-sticky-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4a02e1c1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 id=\"causes\">Causes of Dry Eyes<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4ac9fcd4 elementor-widget-widescreen__width-initial cmsmasters-block-default cmsmasters-sticky-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4ac9fcd4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\n \t<li>Any\u00a0<strong>disruption in the tear production process.<\/strong>\u00a0known as aqueous tear-deficient dry eye wherein the lacrimal glands don&#8217;t produce enough tear fluid.\n<ul>\n \t<li><strong>LASIK surgery<\/strong>\u00a0temporarily disrupts the normal activity of the tear film mechanism. Also, during LASIK, about 60-70% of the superficial nerve fibers in the cornea are cut, which affects both sensing of dryness and production of aqueous tears. As a result the rate of blinking can slow so much that the tear film deteriorates before the next blink reconstitutes it. The end result may be many months of mild to severe symptoms. Eventually, this situation usually heals itself.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n \t<li><strong>Tear evaporation<\/strong>\u00a0known as evaporative dry eye, which may result from meibomian gland inflammation.\n<ul>\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/naturaleyecare.com\/eye-conditions\/blepharitis\/\">Blepharitis<\/a>\u00a0with inflammed eyelids can cause dry itchy eye symptoms.<\/li>\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/naturaleyecare.com\/eye-conditions\/computer-eye-strain\/\">Computer Users<\/a>\u00a0tend to blink much less frequently (about 3-4 times per minute verses the normal about 10-15 times per minute). This causes increased tear film instability and evaporation accompanied by eye strain and fatigue that comes of staring at a computer screen. The position of the monitor below eye level allow the upper eyelid to cover more of the eye&#8217;s surface protecting the tear film from evaporation.<\/li>\n \t<li>Researchers have found that patients with this form of dry eye syndrome have lower corneal cell nerve dendrite density and various other features of corneal structures such as nerve fiber length, thickness, etc.<sup>3<\/sup><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n \t<li><strong>Other diseases<\/strong>\u00a0that may be connected to dry eyes are\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/naturaleyecare.com\/health-conditions\/diabetes-mellitus\/\">Diabetes<\/a>, (especially with high blood sugar),\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/naturaleyecare.com\/health-conditions\/migraine-headaches\/\">migraine headaches<\/a>,<sup>1<\/sup>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/naturaleyecare.com\/health-conditions\/rheumatoid-arthritis\/\">Rheumatoid Arthritis<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/naturaleyecare.com\/health-conditions\/hypothyroidism\/\">Thyroid disease<\/a>\u00a0(lower lid does not move when blinking), Asthma, Lupus, and possibly\u00a0<a class=\"text\" href=\"https:\/\/naturaleyecare.com\/eye-conditions\/glaucoma\/\">Glaucoma<\/a>\u00a0and<\/li>\n \t<li><strong>Age<\/strong>: Dry itchy eyes are experienced by 75% of those over 65, by which time you have 40% of the volume of tear film that you had when you were 18.<\/li>\n \t<li><strong>Women&#8217;s hormonal changes\u00a0<\/strong>can cause lowered tear production. During the first part of the menstrual cycle, when estrogen production is at its peak, dry eye symptoms increase.<sup>6<\/sup>\u00a0Hormonal changes during pregnancy<sup>7<\/sup>\u00a0also worsen dry eye conditions.<\/li>\n \t<li><strong>Post-menopause<\/strong>\u00a0gives rise to a decrease in estrogen production which has been linked to poor functioning of the meibomian gland. This gland produces an oily substance called meibum which lies on top of the tear film and protects the tear film from rapid evaporation.<sup>8<\/sup><\/li>\n \t<li><strong>Other causes<\/strong>\u00a0for dry eyes are\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/naturaleyecare.com\/eye-disease-prevention\/smoking-and-eye-health\/#dry\">smoking<\/a>, drinking a lot of coffee, wearing contact lenses, being in air-conditioning or heated places with low humidity.<\/li>\n \t<li><strong>Vitamin D deficiency<\/strong>\u00a0is associated with eye pain, inadequate tear film, and unstable tear film according to 2015 and 2016 research.<sup>2, 3. 4<\/sup><\/li>\n \t<li><strong>Drugs that can cause dry eye symptoms<\/strong>\u00a0See\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/naturaleyecare.com\/faq\/questions-about-drugs-that-harm-eyes\/\">&#8220;Drugs That Harm the Eyes&#8221;<\/a>\u00a0for a more complete list of harmful drugs which include:\n<ul>\n \t<li>Antibiotics<\/li>\n \t<li>Antidepressants<\/li>\n \t<li>Antihistamines<\/li>\n \t<li>Appetite suppressants<\/li>\n \t<li>Birth control pills<\/li>\n \t<li>Blood pressure medications<\/li>\n \t<li>Diuretics<\/li>\n \t<li>Over-the-counter drugs to &#8220;remove red&#8221; from eyes<\/li>\n \t<li>Ulcer medications<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n \t<li><strong>Weather<\/strong>. Dry eye can also be triggered by dry windy weather and\/or non-summer temperatures. Below 30\u00b0 C (86\u00b0 F) the outermost layer of the tear film, the oily meibum layer, is stiff and may not adequately cover and protect the tear film. When that happens the tear film evaporates very quickly.<sup>5<\/sup><\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"e-n-tab-content-20611603054\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-tab-title-20611603054\" data-tab-index=\"4\" style=\"--n-tabs-title-order: 4;\" class=\" elementor-element elementor-element-8b2fcc0 e-con-full e-flex cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8b2fcc0\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a9caffe e-con-full e-flex cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a9caffe\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e9323a4 e-con-full e-flex cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e9323a4\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3e828ec cmsmasters-block-default cmsmasters-sticky-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3e828ec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How Your Eyes Stay Moist<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b47fe0c e-con-full e-flex cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b47fe0c\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fb8204e elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget-tablet__width-initial cmsmasters-block-default cmsmasters-sticky-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fb8204e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h5>The Mucous Membranes<\/h5><p>The mucous layer is the innermost layer of the tear film, closest to the surface of the cornea. &#8220;Goblet cells,&#8221; floating in the conjunctiva, are cells that are gland-like in that they produce mucin. Mucin interacts with the watery layer of the tear film to form the thin mucous layer of the tear film, which coats the cornea and allows for even distribution of the tear film. Goblet cells can be stimulated to greater production of mucin when the eye is irritated by environmental pollutants. Irritants such as some solvents can destroy goblet cells.<\/p><p>Eye surgery which holds the eyelids open can damage the conjunctiva and destroy goblet cells. This may be the reason so many patients experience severe dry eyes after eye surgery.<\/p><h5>The Tear Glands<\/h5><p>An aqueous layer (watery) makes up 90% of the thickness of the tear film. It is created by lacrimal glands, one for each eye, located behind the eyebrow. The slightly alkaline (pH-7.4) liquid produced by the lacrimal glands flows through canals into the lacrimal sac which is located on the inside of each eye beside the bridge of the nose. The action of blinking pumps tears onto and across the surface of the eye. In addition, tears flow from this sac into the nose &#8211; hence the reason you get a runny nose when there is too much fluid to stay on the surface of the eyes.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4a9a6a0 elementor-widget__width-initial cmsmasters-block-default cmsmasters-sticky-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4a9a6a0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/naturaleyecare.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/dry-eyes-NEC-1-1.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-61479\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturaleyecare.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/dry-eyes-NEC-1-1.webp 270w, https:\/\/naturaleyecare.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/dry-eyes-NEC-1-1-225x300.webp 225w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 270px) 100vw, 270px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-00eaf9e e-con-full e-flex cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-child\" data-id=\"00eaf9e\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3462b6a elementor-widget__width-inherit cmsmasters-block-default cmsmasters-sticky-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3462b6a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Nerves connect to the lacrimal glands, providing sensory stimulation (i.e., see what happens when you cut an onion) to stimulate tears. Blood vessels also connect to the lacrimal glands distributing nutrients and oxygen to the gland. These glands are also tied to the lymph system and as such help drain toxins and impurities from the surface of the eye.<\/p><h5>Meibomian Glands<\/h5><p>A very thin lipid (oily) layer covers the outside of the tear film and helps slow evaporation of moisture. The Meibomian glands, located on the upper and lower eyelids between the eye lashes, secretes meibum. Meibum is also produced by the Zeis and Moll glands. Meibum is a sebaceous material, which is fluid at body temperature. It slows tear film evaporation and also lowers tear-film surface tension so that the tear film remains contoured to the surface of the eye and tears don&#8217;t spill down to the cheeks. When the eyelids are closed, it is meibum which makes the eye within airtight.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"e-n-tab-content-20611603055\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-tab-title-20611603055\" data-tab-index=\"5\" style=\"--n-tabs-title-order: 5;\" class=\" elementor-element elementor-element-1c7b7279 e-con-full e-flex cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1c7b7279\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-73af09a1 e-con-full e-flex cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-child\" data-id=\"73af09a1\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d95774 cmsmasters-block-default cmsmasters-sticky-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6d95774\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 id=\"news\" class=\"recent-posts\">Dry Eyes News<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-26eb908f cmsmasters-block-default cmsmasters-sticky-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"26eb908f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Want to learn more? See our blog\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/naturaleyecare.com\/?s=dry%20eyes\">news on dry eyes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"pointer\" src=\"https:\/\/naturaleyecare.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/menu-terms.jpg\" alt=\"Dry Eyes Quick Tip\" \/>\u00a0See\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/naturaleyecare.com\/ocular-support\/moisture-support\/\">Vitamins, Supplements &amp; Eyedrops to support the tear film and eye moisture.<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-684e0284 e-con-full e-flex cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"684e0284\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7dea5632 e-con-full e-flex cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7dea5632\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c6400e2 e-con-full e-flex cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c6400e2\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d6ff210 cmsmasters-block-default cmsmasters-sticky-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d6ff210\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The normal blinking process acts as a pump on the lacrimal sac to move more fluid to the eye and distribute it across the surface of the eye. Blinking is an essential part of eye comfort because the tear film naturally begins to degrade after about 10 seconds and needs renewal.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-81ba092 cmsmasters-block-default cmsmasters-sticky-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"81ba092\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Blinking<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5c0a928 e-con-full e-flex cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5c0a928\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-75de0b6 cmsmasters-block-default cmsmasters-sticky-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"75de0b6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"small\">1.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/naturaleyecare.com\/studylist\/migraine-headaches-2012-dry-eye-connection\/\">Dry Eyes and Migraines: Is There Really a Correlation? Cornea, June, 2012<\/a><br \/>2.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/naturaleyecare.com\/studylist\/vitamin-d-2015-2016-2022-2023-dry-eyes\/\">Dry eye in vitamin D deficiency: more than an incidental association, 2015<\/a>.<br \/>3. R. Shetty, et al, Corneal Dendritic Cell Density Is Associated with Subbasal Nerve Plexus Features, Ocular Surface Disease Index, and Serum Vitamin D in Evaporative Dry Eye Disease, BioMed Research International, February, 2016.<br \/>4. S.Y. Yoon, et al, Low Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels Are Associated with Dry Eye Syndrome, PLoS One, January, 2016<br \/>5. I.A. Butovich, J.C. Arciniega, et al, Meibomian Lipid Films and the Impact of Temperature, Investigations in Ophthalmology and Visual Science, November, 2010<br \/>6.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/naturaleyecare.com\/studylist\/menstrual-cycle-2014-linked-to-dry-eyes\/\">Menstrual Cycle Linked to Dry Eyes<\/a><br \/>7.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/naturaleyecare.com\/studylist\/pregnancy-2015-and-dry-eye-syndrome\/\">Pregnancy and Dry Eye Syndrome<\/a><br \/>8.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/naturaleyecare.com\/studylist\/dry-eyes-2016-17-linked-to-meibomian-gland-dysfunction\/\">Dry eyes Linked to Meibomian Gland Dysfunction<\/a><br \/>See\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/naturaleyecare.com\/studies-bydisease\/dry-eyes\/\">Dry Eyes Research<\/a>.<\/p><p class=\"small\"><a href=\"https:\/\/naturaleyecare.com\/ocular-support\/moisture-support\/\">Vitamins\/supplements<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/naturaleyecare.com\/ocular-support\/moisture-support\/#self\">What to do<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/naturaleyecare.com\/faq\/questions-about-dry-eyes\/\">FAQ<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bd2ca72 cmsmasters-block-default cmsmasters-sticky-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"bd2ca72\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Footnotes &amp; Research<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Vitamins\/supplements\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0What to do \u00a0\u00a0FAQ Dry, itchy eyes, or &#8220;Dry Eye Syndrome&#8221; is the most common complaint that eye doctors hear from patients. Americans of both sexes, of all ages, and of all racial backgrounds have mild or severe instances of dry itchy eyes. The eyes often reflect a larger problem that needs to be treated&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-43329","vision","type-vision","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.8 (Yoast SEO v26.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Dry Eyes Causes &amp; Symptoms for Sore, Itchy, Dry Eye Syndrome<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Living with dry eyes? Learn what causes dry eyes, the symptoms and what to do about it. 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