L’Oeil Sec

a chronic pathology

An estimated 7 to 8 million French people suffer from dry eyes, and around 30% of visits to ophthalmologists are directly or indirectly linked to this condition. Although common, it should not be taken lightly, as it is a chronic condition that worsens over time.

The vicious circle of dry eye

Dry eyes are part of a double vicious circle.
On the one hand, it leads to inflammation – often the primary cause of visits to the ophthalmologist – which in turn aggravates dryness.
On the other hand, it is the cause and consequence of atrophy of the Meibomius glands, essential for maintaining good hydration of the ocular surface. These glands, located on the back of the eyelids, secrete meibum, a fatty substance that limits tear evaporation (see symptoms). When they malfunction, their secretion is more viscous. It stagnates, the meibomian orifices become blocked and the glands atrophy. The more abnormal the secretions, the more the glands malfunction… The vicious circle is set in motion, leading to complete and irreversible gland atrophy.

These two factors are closely intertwined. Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) plays a key role in this pattern, which is aggravated by inflammation resulting in meibomian hyperviscosity and occlusion of the meibomian orifices.
Ultimately, the various causes of dry eye lead to common disorders, which intermingle inflammation, tear film instability and DGM.
This makes it a truly chronic, progressive and painless disease. The problem is that by failing to diagnose it, we can mask its evolution by treating only its most obvious symptoms, with artificial tears for example.