Dryness of the eye surfaces caused by deficiency of tears or conjunctival secretions; may be associated with vitamin a deficiency, trauma, or any condition in which the eyelids do not close completely.

Xerophthalmia (from Ancient Greek xērós (ξηρός) meaning "dry" and ophthalmos (οφθαλμός) meaning "eye") is a medical condition in which the eye fails to produce tears. It may be caused by vitamin A deficiency, which is sometimes used to describe that condition, although there may be other causes. Xerophthalmia caused by a severe vitamin A deficiency is described by pathologic dryness of the conjunctiva and cornea...