Aqueous vs. Evaporative Dry Eye: A Comprehensive Guide

 

 

 

Welcome to my in-depth exploration of dry eye syndrome. Today, we’ll uncover the differences between aqueous dry eye and evaporative dry eye to help you understand your symptoms and guide you towards a more personalized eye care routine. Make sure to search my blogs for "DRY EYES" to see more of my content.

 

 

 

 

Understanding Dry Eye

 

 

 

Dry eye syndrome occurs when your eyes either don't produce enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly, leading to discomfort and potential vision issues. It's important to know which one you have because the eye care routines are different. 

Let’s break down the two primary types:

 

 

 

Aqueous Dry Eye

• Cause: The lacrimal glands are not making enough tears.
• Common Symptoms:
  • Dry, gritty sensation 😣
  • Redness and irritation
  • Blurred vision
  • Contact lens intolerance
  • Eye makeup intolerance

 

• Treatment Options:
  • Preservative free artificial tears + ointments
    
  • Preservative free ointments
  • Prescription eye drops for dry eyes
  • Prescription eye drops
  • Lifestyle modifications

 

Evaporative Dry Eye

• Cause: Dysfunction / inflammation of the meibomian glands leads to an inadequate lipid (oil) layer, causing tears to evaporate too quickly.
• Common Symptoms:
  • Burning sensation 😖
  • Reflex tearing (excessive tearing)
  • Feeling of something is in your eye
  • Contact lens intolerance
  • Eye makeup intolerance
• Treatment Options:
  • Warm compresses
  • Eyelid hygiene routines
  • Omega-3 fatty acid supplements

Key Differences Between the Two Types

Here are the critical differences between aqueous deficient and evaporative dry eye:

• Aqueous Dry Eye: Mainly involves insufficient tear production. The lacrimal gland is where the problem is.
• Evaporative Dry Eye: Primarily results from the rapid evaporation of tears due to lipid layer dysfunction. The meibomian glands are the problem.

Also important! You can certainly have a blend of both types: aqueous deficient AND evaporative dry eye. 

Key Similarites Between the Two Types

It's sometimes difficult to distinguish the differences. Is it aqueous deficient? Is it evaporative dry eye? Both have some similarities:

• Inflammation: Patient symptoms can be the same because the underlying cause is inflammatory. Inflammation brings the symptoms.
• Get's Worse With Time: Sure you can just monitor, but I do know that dry eye progresses over time. During your regular eye exam, ask your optometrist to perform and notate a baseline TBUT (Tear Break Up Time) to track progression. 
• Quality of Life: When it gets to the point that you cannot watch TV because your eyes are irritated - it's not just dry eyes. It's a quality of life problem.

 

Before I Go . . . 

If you experience symptoms of either type of dry eye, it’s essential to stop the guessing game and consult with an eye care professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. Remember, to always ask your optometrist which TYPE of dry eye you have. Getting this information is vital to your success and fixing this annoying eye problem. 

---

About Dr. Tanya Gill, OD

Dr. Tanya Gill, Founder of We Love Eyes, is a dedicated optometrist with years of experience in diagnosing and treating a variety of eye conditions. She is passionate about educating patients on proper eye care and innovative treatment solutions. For more information about managing your eye problems and exploring tailored solutions, please visit We Love Eyes.