title: [Lacrimal film and the ocular surface].
abstract: Abnormalities of the ocular surface affect a large proportion of the general population. Symptoms depend on whether the lids, the corneoconjunctival surface, or the lacrimal layer are involved. The latter results from the balance of a fragile mixture of water, lipids, and mucus. Different circumstances can lead to the disruption of the lacrimal layer associated with dry-eye symptoms, eventually leading to inflammation. Alterations observed during dry-eye disease, meibomian dysfunction, allergic conjunctivitis, contact lens wear infectious conjunctivitis, or after refractive surgery are reviewed. Patient relief depends on a reliable analysis of the mechanism involved in the ocular surface disease.
authors.affiliation: Service d'Ophtalmologie, Hôpital général, Dijon.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Creuzot-Garcher
mesh_terms: D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000502:physiology*; D003229:Conjunctival Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000503:physiopathology; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D013666:Tears / Q000502:physiology*