Dry eye symptoms in exposure keratopathy are typically worse at which time of day?

• A. Morning
• B. Afternoon
• C. Night
• D. Midday

Answer: (A)

Dry eye symptoms in exposure keratopathy are worst in the morning because the cornea is exposed to air during sleep when blinking stops and tear film isn’t replenished. If the lids don’t fully close (lagophthalmos), the nocturnal drying accumulates, desiccating the corneal surface. When you wake, the corneal surface is driest and most irritated, so the symptoms peak, and they often lessen as you blink and tear production resumes throughout the day.