Evaporative dry eye
Quick answer
Evaporative dry eye is the most common type of dry eye. It isn't caused by the eye producing too few tears, but by the tears that are produced evaporating faster than normal — usually due to meibomian gland dysfunction.
Evaporative dry eye is the most common type of dry eye. It isn't caused by the eye producing too few tears, but by the tears that are produced evaporating faster than normal — usually due to meibomian gland dysfunction.
These glands, located along the edge of the eyelids, produce the oily (lipid) layer that coats the tear film and keeps it from evaporating too quickly. When these glands become blocked or function poorly — a condition called meibomian gland dysfunction — that protective layer becomes insufficient.
Treatment focuses on improving how these glands function: eyelid hygiene, warm compresses, and in more persistent cases, technologies like IPL (intense pulsed light), which help restore normal gland function.