What Is Dry Eye?

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By Alpro Pharmacy

August 1, 2025

What Is Dry Eye?¹,²

Dry eye is a multifactorial disease of the tears and ocular surface that results in symptoms of discomfort, visual disturbance, and tear film instability with potential damage to the ocular surface. It is accompanied by increased osmolarity of the tear film and inflammation of the ocular surface.

Dry eye is often a chronic (ongoing) condition. The condition can be caused by many factors, such as aging, hormonal changes, surgery, certain medications and more.

Dry eye can make it difficult to perform some activities, such as using a computer or reading for long period of time.

References: 1. Lemp MA, Baudouin C, Baum J, et al. The definition and classification of dry eye disease: Report of the Definition and Classification Subcommittee of the International Dry Eye Workshop (2007). Ocul Surf. 2007;5:75-92. 2. Springs CL. Novel hydroxypropyl-guar gellable lubricant eye drops for treatment of dry eye. Adv Ther. 2010;27:681-690.

What Does Dry Eye Feel Like?

Not everyone experience dry eye the same way. See if these common symptoms affect you.

Try the Dry Eye Blink Challenge to identify if you have dry eye symptoms

Step 1: Scan the QR code to take the Blink Challenge.

Step 2: When the timer starts, stare at the screen for 15 seconds.

Step 3: Get your results to see if you are experiencing dry eye symptoms.

For regular users of artificial tears with moderate to severe dry eyes, it is recommended to choose Preservative-Free drops.

All SYSTANE products contain Hydroxypropyl-Guar, also known as HP-Guar, a gelling agent, which covers the ocular surface by forming a structured polymer network which acts as a protective layer to support corneal healing process. The mechanism also helps reduce the blinking friction3. In other words, SYSTANE products hydrate the ocular surface and acts as an elastic matrix that shields the eye – for effective dry eye symptoms relief.

SYSTANE’s range of products are designed to relieve the symptoms of dry eyes.

Reference: 3. Ng A, Keech A, Jones L. Tear osmolarity changes after use of hydroxypropyl-guar-based lubricating eye drops. Clin Ophthalmol. 2018 Apr10;12:695-700