Dry Eye can be caused by a variety of factors, the most common of which is aging. As you get older, the quantity and effectiveness of your tears decrease. Injuries, infections, and certain diseases can also lead to Dry Eye, the most notable being blepharitis, a common disorder of the eyelid margins. Contact lens wearers, allergy sufferers and people taking certain types of medication may also experience Dry Eye. Environmental factors such as exposure to wind, smog, dry air, smoke, or even prolonged work at computer terminals may aggravate the condition.

Usually this consists of applying an ocular lubricant such as an eye drop, ointment or gel. Their purpose is to reduce the dry, scratchy feeling, while they work to cool and soothe your eyes. Ointments may be advantageous for prolonged relief as you sleep but they will blur your vision if used during waking hours. A gel such as
Tear-Gel®, forms a long lasting, protective film that can be applied less frequently than drops, is not associated with the blurred vision that ointments can cause, and can be used day and night. For milder cases of Dry Eye, an artificial tear such as GenTeal® ; may be sufficient to relieve the symptoms.