http://jama.jamanetwork.com/ en-us Sat, 01 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:46:16 GMT Silverchair editor@jama.jamanetwork.com webmaster@jama.jamanetwork.com http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleID=1309176 Wed, 08 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Torpy JM, Lynm C, Golub RM. <span class="paragraphSection">The surface of the eye is protected by tears. Tears are made up of 3 layers: a water layer, a (fatty or oily) layer, and a mucous layer. When there are not enough tears being produced by the eye, or if the tears are lacking in 1 or more of these layers, the eye can feel dry. Dry eye is also called xerophthalmia. Dry eye is common and can be related to eye problems or disease affecting the whole body. Dry eye is a frequent adverse effect (side effect) of medications. Dry eye may lead to irritation or inflammation of the cornea (the eye's surface) and cause vision problems. Individuals who have dry eye are usually referred to an ophthalmologist. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors with specialized education in the treatment of eye diseases, including surgical procedures on the eye.</span> 308 6 632 632 10.1001/jama.2012.6221 http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleID=1309176