Which condition results from insufficient tear production or an inability to maintain a normal tear film?

Which condition results from insufficient tear production or an inability to maintain a normal tear film?

• A. Night Blindness
• B. Dry Eye Syndrome
• C. Pterygium
• D. Subconjunctival Hemmorhage

Answer: (B)

When the eye doesn’t have enough tears or the tear film isn’t stable, the surface becomes dry and irritated. That lack of lubrication and nourishment is exactly what Dry Eye Syndrome is about. Tears aren’t just water; the tear film has layers that include mucins, an aqueuous layer, and lipids to reduce evaporation. If production of tears drops (for example, due to lacrimal gland dysfunction) or the tear film breaks up too quickly (often from meibomian gland dysfunction or eyelid issues), the surface dries, leading to grittiness, burning, burning, and fluctuating vision. Knowing this helps separate it from the other conditions listed. Night blindness is trouble seeing in low light due to issues with the retina or vitamin A deficiency. Pterygium is a benign growth of conjunctival tissue onto the cornea, usually from UV exposure. A subconjunctival hemorrhage is a red patch on the eye caused by a small bleed under the conjunctiva. None of these primarily involve insufficient tear production or maintaining a normal tear film.

When the eye doesn’t have enough tears or the tear film isn’t stable, the surface becomes dry and irritated. That lack of lubrication and nourishment is exactly what Dry Eye Syndrome is about. Tears aren’t just water; the tear film has layers that include mucins, an aqueuous layer, and lipids to reduce evaporation. If production of tears drops (for example, due to lacrimal gland dysfunction) or the tear film breaks up too quickly (often from meibomian gland dysfunction or eyelid issues), the surface dries, leading to grittiness, burning, burning, and fluctuating vision.

Knowing this helps separate it from the other conditions listed. Night blindness is trouble seeing in low light due to issues with the retina or vitamin A deficiency. Pterygium is a benign growth of conjunctival tissue onto the cornea, usually from UV exposure. A subconjunctival hemorrhage is a red patch on the eye caused by a small bleed under the conjunctiva. None of these primarily involve insufficient tear production or maintaining a normal tear film.