DRY EYE SYNDROME

The present review is of dry eye syndrome, an entity caused by various conditions that lead to tear film abnormalities. The tear film consis ts of aqueous, mucin, proteins and lipids. Dry eye syndrome may be cau sed by local ocular disorders or systemic diseases. The symptoms inclu de foreign body sensation, redness, photophobia and burning sensation. Clinical tests such as the Schirmer test, fluorescein staining test a nd Rose Bengal test are useful diagnostic tools. Laboratory tests are important assets in the diagnosis and identification of the underlying systemic disease. Biopsy of the accessory salivary gland is important in the diagnosis of Sjogren's syndrome. The management of dry eye syn drome includes replacing the deficient tear film and prolonging its re sidence time on the ocular surface. (C) 1998 Prous Science. All rights reserved.