Dry eye disease (DED) is described in ophthalmic literature as a common condition involving the ocular surface and tear film. Reports note that it can begin with mild sensations of dryness or irritation and, in some individuals, progress in intensity over time. Publications characterize DED as frequently chronic and progressive, with symptom variability across days and environments. Questionnaires are often used in clinical settings to document symptoms and their impact, and repeated assessments over weeks are cited to track fluctuation patterns.
Debris and microorganisms can contact the corneal surface, and tear film has a documented role in maintaining surface moisture and optical quality. Educational sources describe tears as supporting ocular comfort and clarity by diluting and clearing particles. When tear quantity or stability is reduced, people frequently report irritation, grittiness, or fluctuating vision. An inadequate or unstable tear layer is associated in references with increased friction at the surface and greater awareness of environmental factors such as airflow and humidity.
If tear film integrity is compromised, corneal epithelium may be exposed to higher mechanical and evaporative stress. The tear film is commonly described as having aqueous, lipid, and mucin components, each contributing to surface wetting and stability. The mucin layer helps anchor the tear film to the epithelium, and the lipid layer slows evaporation and supports lubrication. Sources emphasize that balance among these layers influences comfort and optical smoothness.
Individuals with DED frequently report stinging, burning, soreness, and redness, along with fluctuating clarity. When tear production or stability declines, the eye’s ability to clear particles can be reduced, and symptoms such as foreign-body sensation are commonly listed. Summaries group these experiences as hallmark features of dry eye, noting that intensity can vary from brief episodes to persistent discomfort depending on conditions like airflow, temperature, and task demands.
Sudden decreases in visual clarity are described in some accounts of ocular surface disease as periods of fluctuating vision. In addition to the sensations above, reports include sore eyes, light sensitivity (photophobia), fatigue, itchiness, and intermittent foreign-body sensation. Literature also associates DED with inflammatory changes and epithelial findings on the ocular surface. The constellation of symptoms varies, and descriptions often highlight day-to-day or task-related fluctuation.
Multiple factors have been linked with tear film instability or reduced production. Sources list allergy, prior ocular procedures (e.g., LASIK), aging, hormone-related changes, low-humidity or windy environments, use of contact lenses, infrequent blinking during sustained visual tasks, selected medications or therapies, and prolonged digital device use. Publications discuss approaches that aim to address the balance among aqueous, mucin, and lipid layers, describing them in terms of mechanisms rather than individualized recommendations.
Risk discussions in reviews mention associations with atopy and thyroid disease, with prevalence increasing in older age groups. Many studies report higher rates among women, and immune-mediated conditions are frequently cited in background sections. Nutritional status, including vitamin A deficiency, appears in classic descriptions of ocular surface compromise. Nocturnal lagophthalmos (sleeping with eyelids partially open) is also described as a context in which ocular surface dryness may be observed.
Learn more about dry eye syndrome at National Eye Institute.