National Mechanical Dry Eye Day Date in the current year: May 19, 2024

Mechanical dry eye (MDE), also known as conjunctivochalasis, is an eye surface condition in which there are excess folds of the conjunctiva located between the eyelid margin and the globe of the eye. Dryness in the eye is the most common symptom of the condition. Other symptoms may include redness, irritation, blurry vision, epiphora (overflow of tears onto the face), the sensation of a foreign body in the eye, subconjunctival hemorrhage, and corneal ulcer (keratitis).

The conjunctiva is a thin mucous membrane lining the inside of the eyelids and covering the white of the eye (sclera). It helps lubricate the eye by producing tears and mucus, as well as protects it from microbes. In some people, the conjunctiva becomes thinner and looser with age, getting wrinkled. The wrinkling of the conjunctiva disrupts the lubrication process, resulting in dry eye, irritation, and excess tearing.

Сonjunctivochalasis is most commonly associated with aging; it is estimated to affect 98% of patients aged 60 or older, according to a study of 1,416 individuals in 2009. It may also be associated with other conditions such as aqueous tear deficiency (decreased tear production), blepharitis (chronic eyelid inflammation), and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

MDE feels like the regular dry eye syndrome (keratoconjunctivitis sicca), but it typically fails to respond to conventional dry eye treatments such artificial tears (lubricating eye drops) and anti-inflammatory therapy. Conventional treatments may provide short-term relief, but they do not solve the underlying cause of the condition.

If conventional treatments do not help and MDE continues to cause significant discomfort, it can be treated surgically. The surgery to remove the excess folds in the conjunctiva is called conjunctivoplasty. Another surgical procedure used in the treatment of MDE is caused reservoir restoration.

National Mechanical Dry Eye Day was created in 2020 by BioTissue, a biotech company that specializes in the use of products derived from human amniotic membrane tissues for regenerative wound healing. Amniotic membranes are used in surgeries to treat mechanical dry eye, so it makes sense that BioTissue wanted to raise awareness of the condition and the treatment options available to patients with MDE.

The main goal of National Mechanical Dry Eye Day is to educate the general public about MDE and encourage people in the risk group who are experiencing symptoms to get a proper diagnosis and receive appropriate treatment.

How can you get involved with National MDE Day? If you are 60 or older, schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist to get your eyes checked even if you don’t have any symptoms; as you reach a certain age, regular eye checkups are a must. If you’re younger than that, scheduling a checkup won’t hurt either. You can also help raise awareness of MDE on social media with the hashtags #NationalMechanicalDryEyeDay and #NationalMDEDay.