Dry Eye/Blepharitis occurs most often when the meibomian glands on the eyelids become inflamed or clogged (meibomian gland dysfunction, or MGD).  Meibomian glands produce the lipid, or oil, that stabilize the tear film and prevent it from immediately evaporating.  When the lipid layer is not present, tears will evaporate too quickly. Dry eye/Blepharitis can also develop when the eyelids do not close properly or when the lacrimal glands of the eye fail to produce enough lubricating tears.

Patients at risk include women experiencing age-related hormonal changes, those eating a diet that is low on vitamin A or low in omega-3 fatty acids, individuals with certain allergies, on medication for allergies, or being on other drugs where the dry eye/Blepharitis may be a side effect, like birth control pills or antidepressants.  The prevalence of dry eye also increases with age, more than 25 million people in the U.S. suffer from dry eye.

Symptoms of Dry eye/Blepharitis can range from mild to severe and include eye discomfort or irritation, grittiness, the feeling of a foreign body in the eye, a burning or stinging sensation, continuous tearing, redness, discharge, itchiness, sensitivity to light,

difficulty reading, or being on a computer, inability to wear contact lenses or a constant need for lubricating eye drops.