The role of natural tear production in dry eye

Close-up side profile of a man's face, focused on the eye, against a pink background. Caption reads “Not an actual patient.”
Close-up side profile of a man's face, focused on the eye, against a pink background. Caption reads “Not an actual patient.”

 

 

 

What causes dry eye?

 

Dry eye can happen when your eyes don’t have enough natural tears (tear deficiency), whether from a problem making tears or too much tear evaporation.

What is tear deficiency?

 

Tear deficiency occurs when your eyes don't produce enough natural tears and can lead to dry eye symptoms, including:

Eyes that feel irritated

Fluctuating or blurry vision

Watery eyes

Redness

Eye pain

Man sitting at a desk with a laptop, rubbing his eyes and appearing fatigued or uncomfortable, possibly experiencing eye strain or dry eye symptoms. Caption reads "Not an actual patient."

Some dry eye treatments may take up to 6 months to provide relief. And while artificial tears may provide temporary relief, they do not increase natural tear production.

Why do natural tears matter?
 

In healthy eyes, natural tears are your first line of defense. They play an important role in keeping your eyes:

Illustration of a blue water droplet containing a stylized eye with a smaller purple droplet above it, symbolizing eye drops or eye hydration.
Illustration of a blue water droplet containing a stylized eye with a smaller purple droplet above it, symbolizing eye drops or eye hydration.

Comfortable

 

Natural tears help keep your eyes hydrated and free of debris

Illustration of a blue water droplet containing a stylized eye with a small purple star above it, symbolizing eye drops or eye hydration.
Illustration of a blue water droplet containing a stylized eye with a small purple star above it, symbolizing eye drops or eye hydration.

Healthy

 

They also help nourish the surface of the eye

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Natural vs artificial tears. What's the difference?
 

Toggle to see the difference between natural and artificial tears

    Natural tears

    The tears your eyes make naturally contain important nutrients, such as:

    Illustration showing key components of natural tears, including proteins, electrolytes, mucins, lipids, and antimicrobial proteins. A labeled water droplet graphic visually represents each component with corresponding symbols.

    Artificial tears

    Artificial tears are missing many of the nutrients found in natural tears and may contain preservatives:

    Illustration showing a tear component comparison. A gray droplet contains only lipids (represented by purple icons), while proteins, electrolytes, mucins, and antimicrobial peptides are marked with Xs to indicate absence. A key explains the symbols for proteins & electrolytes, mucins, and lipids.

    Ready to increase your natural tear production?

    IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

    • Use TRYPTYR exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to.
    • TRYPTYR is for use in the eye. Each single-dose vial of TRYPTYR will give you enough medicine to treat both of your eyes. TRYPTYR vial is for 1-time use only. Use right away after opening and do not reuse.

    What is TRYPTYR?

    TRYPTYR (acoltremon ophthalmic solution) 0.003% is a prescription eye drop used for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED).

    Keep the unopened single-dose vials in the original foil package until ready to use.

    •  Wash your hands before each use. Do not let the tip of the single-dose vial touch your eye or any other surface to avoid eye injury or infection.

    •  If you use TRYPTYR with other eye medicines, wait at least 5 minutes between using TRYPTYR and the other medicines.

    •  If you wear contact lenses, remove them before using TRYPTYR. Wait 15 minutes after dosing before putting contact lenses back in your eyes.

    •  Call your healthcare provider right away if you get an allergic reaction or other eye problems such as eye injury, eye infection, or eye pain.

    •  The most common side effect of TRYPTYR in clinical trials was burning or stinging sensation in the eye upon instillation, which was reported in 50% of patients.

     

    For additional information about TRYPTYR, talk to your healthcare provider and click here to see the full Prescribing Information.

     

    You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.