Dry eye syndrome, which is also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, is a condition where the eyes do not make enough tears, or the tears evaporate too quickly. This can lead to the eyes drying out and becoming inflamed (red and swollen).
The symptoms of dry eye syndrome can be mild or severe. They include:
- dry or sore eyes
- blurred vision
How common is dry eye syndrome?
Dry eye syndrome is a common condition, although estimates of how many people are affected by the condition vary. The condition tends to affect people above 60, and it is more common in women than men.
Around one in 13 people who are in their fifties experience dry eye syndrome, and the condition becomes more common with age. Up to a third of people age 65 or older may have dry eye syndrome.
Outlook
Dry eye syndrome is not usually a serious condition. A number of steps can be taken to relieve the symptoms.
Dry eye syndrome may be slightly painful, but it should not affect vision. However, there are rare cases where severe untreated dry eye syndrome has caused visual impairment and scarring of the eye's surface.
