What causes decreased tear production?

Common causes of decreased tear production include: Aging. Certain medical conditions including Sjogren’s syndrome, allergic eye disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, graft vs. host disease, sarcoidosis, thyroid disorders or vitamin A deficiency.

What does low tear break up time mean?

Generally, TBUT value 10–35 seconds are considered as normal. A value less than 10 seconds is usually suspicious about tear film instability. Even though TBUT is under normal limit, if the ocular protection index is less than 1.0, dryness and discomfort can occur.

What causes tears to evaporate too quickly?

Exposure to smoke, wind and dry climates can increase tear evaporation resulting in dry eye symptoms. Failure to blink regularly, such as when staring at a computer screen for long periods of time, can also contribute to drying of the eyes.

What does decreased TBUT mean?

Three consecutive measurements are taken, and the time is averaged to obtain the TBUT. A TBUT of less than 10 seconds is considered abnormal, indicative of tear instability. Several devices can measure the TBUT objectively, including the Oculus Keratograph 5M.

What stimulates tear production?

The polymodal nociceptors in the cornea are the primary nerves that stimulate reflex tear secretion and hence lacrimal gland fluid secretion (Acosta, Peral et al. 2004).

How do you increase tear production?

Once a day, you place the hydroxypropyl cellulose (Lacrisert) insert between your lower eyelid and your eyeball. The insert dissolves slowly, releasing a substance that’s used in eyedrops to lubricate your eye. Tear-stimulating drugs. Drugs called cholinergics (pilocarpine, cevimeline) help increase tear production.

What is a normal tear break up time?

Generally, >10 seconds is thought to be normal,(10, 11, 12) 5 to 10 seconds, marginal, and < 5 seconds is considered low. A short tear break-up time is a sign of a poor tear film and the longer it takes the more stable the tear film.

How can I improve my tear breakup time?

In another study, oral administration of re-esterified omega-3 fatty acids (Dry Eye Omega, Physician Recommended Nutraceuticals) resulted in a statistically significant improvement in tear osmolarity, as well as improvements in such secondary endpoints as corneal staining and tear breakup time.

What is unstable tear film?

Damage to corneal epithelial cells means loss of the delicate structures that anchor mucins to the eye’s surface, which in turn leads to tear film instability. When mucins cannot attach, the exposed hydrophobic corneal surface repels aqueous components of the tear film causing additional damage.