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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffWhile a sad movie or a wedding can get your tears noticeably flowing, your eyes are actually producing tears all the time. Healthy eyes are continuously covered by fluid — a tear film designed to remain stable between blinks. A stable tear film prevents dry eyes and allows your eyes to maintain clear, comfortable vision.
Decreased production of fluids from your tear glands can destabilize the tear film, allowing it to break down rapidly and create dry spots on the surface of your eyes. An imbalance in the substances that make up the tear film also causes dry eyes.
Dry eyes are a common source of discomfort. Treatment of dry eyes aims to restore a more normal tear film to minimize your dryness, blurred vision and discomfort.
