Dry Eyes

Dry eye is a common condition. It can affect both eyes, causing a scratchy or irritated feeling, and sometimes blurry vision between blinks. It’s uncomfortable, but it rarely causes serious eye damage.

Dry eye usually happens for one of three reasons: your eyes don’t make enough tears, your tears evaporate too quickly, or your tears don’t spread evenly across the eye. Your tear film has three layers that work together — a layer that helps tears stick to the eye, a watery middle layer for moisture and nutrients, and an oily outer layer that stops tears evaporating too fast. A problem with any of these layers can cause dry eye symptoms.

All our optometrists are certified dry eye specialists by Spectrum Thea. Our dedicated dry eye clinic offers a careful assessment of your tear film to find the specific cause of your symptoms.

Common symptoms include burning, grittiness or irritation, redness, blurred or fluctuating vision, excessive watering, and sensitivity to light (photophobia). Blurriness often comes and goes between blinks, and it usually affects both eyes, though severity varies. Symptoms are often worse later in the day or after prolonged screen use.

Dry eye doesn’t usually cause permanent sight problems. But severe cases can be painful and may damage the front surface of the eye, which is why it’s worth getting checked rather than just living with the discomfort.

The meibomian glands produce the oily layer of the tears. If they become blocked or unhealthy, tears evaporate too quickly, making meibomian gland dysfunction one of the most common causes of dry eye.

When the eye surface becomes dry or irritated, it can trigger excess reflex tears. These watery tears often do not lubricate the eye effectively, so the eyes can feel dry despite watering. This is why watery eyes can sometimes be a symptom of dry eye rather than a sign that the eye is adequately lubricated.

Dry eye is more common in women, people of Asian ethnic background, and those over 50.

Ageing is a common factor. As we get older, tear production tends to reduce, the eyelids may spread tears less effectively, and the meibomian glands, which help produce the tear film’s oily layer, can become less efficient.

Hormonal changes can also affect dry eye risk. Pregnancy and contraceptive use may be relevant, while the effect of perimenopause and menopause is covered in more detail in a separate FAQ below.

Other factors can increase the likelihood of dry eye, including wearing contact lenses, reduced or incomplete blinking, and having had laser eye surgery. Certain medications and health conditions can also affect the tear film, so it is helpful to tell us about any relevant medications or health concerns during your assessment.

Yes. Hormonal changes during the perimenopause and menopause can affect tear production and the oil-producing glands in the eyelids, making dry eye more common.

Dry eye is common after cataract surgery due to temporary changes to the corneal nerves and eye surface. Post-operative drops can sometimes add to the irritation, particularly if they contain preservatives.

Yes, where possible. An unstable tear film can affect the measurements used to calculate the lens implant, so treating dry eye beforehand can improve accuracy and comfort.

If dry eye is identified before surgery, addressing it first can help make sure the eye surface is in the best possible condition for preoperative measurements.

There are several ways to ease dry eye symptoms: keep your eyelids clean, be mindful of your environment (avoid air conditioning and wind where you can), use eye lubricants such as drops or gels, and consider tear drainage treatments like punctum plugs if appropriate.

For persistent cases linked to Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, we also offer OptiLIGHT IPL Therapy, which treats the underlying gland dysfunction directly rather than just managing symptoms day to day. Most people find a combination works best rather than relying on just one approach – for example, preservative-free drops through the day alongside a thicker gel at night, plus a few environmental changes like turning down central heating or wearing wraparound glasses outdoors.

Yes. We blink less frequently and less completely when using screens, which allows tears to evaporate more quickly. Regular breaks and conscious blinking can help. The 20-20-20 rule can also be useful: every 20 minutes, look at something around 20 feet away for 20 seconds to give your eyes a break from close screen work.

We assess the tear film, eyelids, meibomian glands, eye surface and your symptoms to identify the underlying cause. Treatment can then be tailored to the type of dry eye rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.

There is no definite cure for dry eye. Once we identify the underlying cause, we can give tailored advice, and many people can become considerably more comfortable with ongoing management.

That does not mean dry eye is untreatable. For many patients, a combination of lid hygiene, environmental changes and the right lubricant can help keep symptoms well controlled over the long term. In more persistent cases, treatments such as OptiLIGHT IPL Therapy may also form part of the management plan where appropriate.

Because the causes and severity of dry eye vary from person to person, management is usually ongoing rather than a single fix. The aim is to identify the factors involved and tailor treatment to improve day-to-day comfort, so dry eye becomes far less of a persistent concern.