Dry Eye Miniatlas

The eyes are the most complex sensory organs in the human body. Thanks to their function, it is possible to detect forms, contrast, and colors, even in conditions of poor ambient light. Adequate vision requires a system of lenses, the cornea and crystalline lens, that enables the ray of light to be focused on a sensory tissue, the retina. However, although this description highlights the most important elements of the eye, it does not mention all the factors required for optimal vision. The lacrimal glands are situated in the proximity of the eye globe. Their secretions form a thin film immediately in front of the cornea. This interphase between the cornea and the external medium is known as the tear film and its function is one of lubrication, to prevent the eyelid from causing corneal lesions by friction.“Dry eye” is a very common but also inexplicably underdiagnosed disorder of the eye that can give rise to clinical conditions ranging from mild discomfort to true disorders of vision characterized by burning pain, watering, itching, and blurred vision. These symptoms are related to alterations of the tear film, due either to insufficient production or to a normal quantity but which “evaporates” very rapidly. Because of both the unremitting nature of this disorder and the existence of treatments of proven efficacy, we have decided to present you with this monograph that deals not only with the elemental aspects of the disorder but also includes recently published advances. For this reason, we hope you will find this miniatlas very useful.