Synonyms and Keywords

dry eye syndrome, DES, tears, tear film, tear layer, conjunctiva, aqueous tear deficiency, ATD, decreased tear production, excessive tear evaporation, meibomian gland dysfunction, eye irritation, eye dryness, dry sensation, foreign body sensation, blurred vision, punctual plugs, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, KCS, Sjogren syndrome, blepharitis, mucin, mucus, lipids, eye burning, eye itching, Stevens-Johnson syndrome

Authors and Editors

Author: Andrew A Dahl, MD, FACS, Residency Director, Ophthalmology, Kingston Hospital, Mid Hudson Family Practice Institute. Assistant Professor of Surgery (Ophthalmology), Department of Ophthalmology, the Institute for Family Health, New York College of Medicine

Editor: Melissa Conrad Stoppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor, eMedicineHealth.com

Previous contributing authors and editors:

Author: Anthony S Ekong, MD, Consulting Staff, Department of Ophthalmology, Marshfield Clinic.

Coauthor(s): C Stephen Foster, MD, Professor of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School; Director of Immunology and Uveitis Service, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary; Lauri Graham, Medical Writer, eMedicine.com, Inc.

Editors: Richard W Allinson, MD, Associate Professor, Division of Ophthalmology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, Scott and White Clinic; Mary L Windle, Pharm D, Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine.com, Inc; Robert H Graham, MD, Ophthalmologist, Robert H Graham, MD, PC; Affiliated with Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona and Carl T Hayden VA Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona.