Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Abstract: Wet dry.

Yawn. Back to basics. I think we're a leetle past this now.

Ophthalmologe. 2009 Mar;106(3):235-41. Links
[The "wet" dry eye.][Article in German]
Schargus M, Geerling G.
Universitäts-Augenklinik Würzburg, Josef -Schneider -Strasse 11, 97080, Würzburg, Deutschland.

Dry eye is a multifactorial disease of the tears and ocular surface that results in symptoms of discomfort, visual disturbance, and tear film instability, with potential damage to the ocular surface. The two main causes are reduced production of aqueous tears and increased evaporation of tears. The evaporative form of dry eye results in ocular surface irritation with a secondary increase in tear production; this presents to the examiner and patient as a wet eye or epiphora. Knowledge and understanding of the basic pathologies and differential diagnoses of dry eye disease are essential to differentiate this very common form of dry eye from disorders of the lacrimal drainage system and to initiate adequate management.

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