Reviewed by Jonathan Miu, B Optom / B Sci, Kellyville Optical
Dry eye is a common condition where your tears can't keep the surface of your eyes comfortable. Either your eyes make too few tears, or the tears evaporate too quickly. It often causes gritty, burning or watery eyes. It's usually managed with lubricating eye drops, warm compresses, eyelid care and small changes to daily habits.
Dry eye is one of the most common concerns we help with at Kellyville Optical, an independent optometry practice in Kellyville, NSW. This guide explains the symptoms, causes, types and treatment options.
Dry eye at a glance
- What it is: a condition where the tear film can’t keep the eye’s surface moist and protected.
- Most common type: evaporative dry eye, usually caused by blocked oil glands in the eyelids (meibomian gland dysfunction).
- Common symptoms: gritty, burning, red or watery eyes, and blurry vision that clears when you blink.
- Common causes: screen use, ageing, hormonal changes, contact lenses, air-conditioning, eyelid conditions and some medications.
- Usual treatments: lubricating eye drops, warm compresses, eyelid hygiene and habit changes, with in-practice options for more severe cases.
- Who can help: an optometrist can work out which type of dry eye you have and suggest a treatment plan.
Frequently asked questions
Sometimes. Mild dry eye caused by something temporary, like a long flight or a busy week at the computer, may settle once that changes. For many people, though, dry eye is ongoing. It’s managed rather than cured, and a good routine can keep your eyes much more comfortable.
The best eye drops for dry eyes depend on the type of dry eye you have. Drops that support the tear film’s oily layer suit evaporative dry eye, while others mainly add moisture. Preservative-free drops suit people using them several times a day. Our optometrist can recommend one that suits your eyes.
Watery eyes can be a sign of dry eye. When the surface of the eye is irritated, it triggers a flood of reflex tears. These tears are mostly water, so they run off instead of staying on the eye and protecting it like a balanced tear film does.
A heated eye mask can help dry eye caused by blocked oil glands (meibomian gland dysfunction). Gentle, steady warmth softens the oil so it flows more freely, and a mask holds a consistent temperature for several minutes. Ask your optometrist whether heat therapy suits your type of dry eye.
Screen time can make dry eye worse, although screens don’t damage your eyes. We blink less often and less fully while looking at a screen, so tears evaporate faster. Regular breaks, the 20-20-20 rule and conscious blinking can help.
Many people with dry eye can still wear contact lenses comfortably. A different lens material, daily disposable lenses, a lubricating drop or a shorter wearing schedule may help. Talk to your optometrist before changing anything.
Dry eye is often worse in winter, when indoor heating and low humidity dry the air. Wind and air-conditioning can make symptoms worse at any time of year.
Dry eye is usually not serious, but it can be uncomfortable and affect daily life, reading, driving and screen work. Severe, untreated dry eye can occasionally damage the surface of the eye. That’s why ongoing symptoms are worth having checked by an optometrist
How long dry eye lasts depends on the cause. Dry eye from a temporary trigger, such as a long flight, may clear within days. Dry eye linked to ageing, oil gland problems or health conditions is often long-term, and is managed with an ongoing routine.
Yes, dry eye can cause blurry or fluctuating vision, because an uneven tear film scatters light entering the eye. The blur typically clears for a moment when you blink. Blurry vision that doesn’t clear with blinking should be checked by an optometrist.
Dry eye is a problem with the tear film. Blepharitis is inflammation along the eyelid margins. The two often happen together, because blepharitis can block the oil glands that keep tears from evaporating.
Kellyville Optical checks for signs of dry eye as part of a comprehensive eye test, at Shop 8, 90 Wrights Road, Kellyville NSW 2155, in Kellyville Village. Mention any gritty, burning or watery eyes when you book. We’re a short drive from Rouse Hill, Castle Hill, Bella Vista and The Ponds. Book online or call (02) 8814 7450.
What is dry eye?
Dry eye (also called dry eye disease or dry eye syndrome) happens when the tear film can’t keep the front of the eye moist, smooth and protected. There are two reasons this happens. Either the eyes don’t produce enough tears, or the tears evaporate too quickly because of a problem with the tear film’s oily layer.
A healthy tear film has three layers that work together:
- An oily outer layer from tiny glands along your eyelids (the meibomian glands). It slows evaporation.
- A watery middle layer from the tear glands. It keeps the eye moist and clear.
- A mucus inner layer that helps tears spread evenly across the eye.
When any layer is out of balance, the tear film breaks up too fast and the surface of the eye becomes irritated.
What are the types of dry eye?
There are two main types of dry eye: evaporative dry eye and aqueous-deficient dry eye. Evaporative dry eye is the most common. Many people have a mix of both, and knowing which type you have helps your optometrist suggest the right approach.
Evaporative dry eye means tears evaporate too quickly. It’s usually caused by blocked or underactive oil glands in the eyelids (meibomian gland dysfunction, or MGD). It’s often linked to screen use, eyelid inflammation (blepharitis), contact lenses and ageing. Care often focuses on improving oil flow and slowing evaporation, for example with warm compresses, lid hygiene and oil-based drops.
Aqueous-deficient dry eye means the eyes don’t make enough of the watery layer of tears. It’s less common, and can be linked to ageing, some medications and some autoimmune conditions. Care often focuses on adding moisture and keeping it on the eye, for example with lubricating drops.
What are the symptoms of dry eye?
The most common symptoms of dry eye are gritty, burning or stinging eyes, redness, and blurry vision that clears when you blink. Surprisingly, watery eyes can also be a sign of dry eye. Symptoms are often worse at the end of the day, after screen time, or in air-conditioning or wind. Other signs include:
- Gritty, sandy or scratchy eyes, like something is stuck in them
- Burning, stinging or itching
- Red or tired-looking eyes
- Watery eyes, often a surprise, since irritated eyes can make extra tears that don’t do the job
- Blurry vision that clears when you blink
- Discomfort wearing contact lenses
- Eyes that feel worse at the end of the day, after screen time, or in air-conditioning or wind
- Crusty or sticky eyelids in the morning
These symptoms can overlap with other eye conditions. That’s why it’s worth having your eyes checked, not just guessing.
What causes dry eye?
Dry eye is usually caused by a combination of factors rather than one cause. The most common are long periods of screen use, ageing, hormonal changes, contact lens wear, dry or windy environments, eyelid conditions such as blepharitis and some medications.
- Screen time: we blink much less when we focus on a screen, and often don’t blink fully. Tears then evaporate faster.
- Age: tear production and oil gland function tend to change as we get older.
- Hormonal changes: for example during menopause.
- Contact lenses: especially wearing them for long hours or past their replacement date.
- Environment: air-conditioning, heating, wind, low humidity and long flights.
- Eyelid conditions: such as blepharitis (inflammation along the eyelid margins) and blocked oil glands.
- Some medications: including certain antihistamines, antidepressants and blood pressure medicines. Never stop a medication without talking to your doctor.
- General health: conditions such as diabetes, thyroid problems and some autoimmune conditions can play a part.
- Previous eye surgery: including laser vision correction.
How can I relieve dry eye at home?
You can often ease mild dry eye at home with a few habit changes. Take regular screen breaks, blink fully, keep air vents away from your face, wear wraparound sunglasses outdoors and keep your eyelids clean. If symptoms continue for more than a few weeks, see an optometrist.
- Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something about 20 feet (6 metres) away for 20 seconds. Remind yourself to blink fully.
- Set up your screen well: keep it slightly below eye level so your eyes aren’t open as wide.
- Mind the airflow: point car vents and fans away from your face, and consider a humidifier at home.
- Stay hydrated.
- Wear wraparound sunglasses outdoors to protect your eyes from wind.
- Look after your eyelids: gentle, regular lid cleaning can help keep oil glands clear.
- Follow your contact lens schedule: replace lenses and cases on time, and give your eyes lens-free breaks.
How is dry eye treated?
Dry eye is usually treated with a combination of lubricating eye drops, warm compresses or heat masks, eyelid hygiene and habit changes. For ongoing or more severe dry eye, an optometrist may recommend in-practice treatments or prescription options, or refer you to an ophthalmologist. The right mix depends on your type of dry eye and how much it affects you.
Lubricating drops add moisture and support the tear film. Different drops suit different types of dry eye. Some are thicker, some help restore the oily layer, and some are preservative-free for frequent use.
In store and online: Hylo-Forte, Cationorm, Systane Complete, Systane Ultra and Systane Ultra Preservative-Free.
An eye ointment used before bed can keep eyes comfortable overnight, especially if you wake with sore or gritty eyes. Example: VitA-POS Eye Ointment.
Gentle, steady warmth on closed eyelids can help soften the oil in blocked meibomian glands so it flows more freely. A reusable heat mask holds a consistent temperature more easily than a warm face washer.
Example products: Opti-Soothe Moist Heat Mask, OcuSci Dry Eye Compress.
Regular lid cleaning can reduce the build-up and inflammation along the lid margins that often goes with dry eye and blepharitis.
Research results on omega-3 supplements for dry eye are mixed, but some people find them a helpful part of their routine. Lacritec is an Australian-developed supplement containing fish oil, borage oil and flaxseed oil. It’s also available in a 60-capsule pack. Ask your optometrist whether it’s worth trying, and check with your GP or pharmacist first if you take other medicines.
For ongoing or more severe dry eye, our optometrist may discuss other options or refer you to an ophthalmologist from our referral network.
When should I see an optometrist about dry eye?
See an optometrist if your eyes feel uncomfortable most days, if drops from the chemist aren’t helping, or if dry eye is affecting screen work, reading, driving or contact lens wear. An optometrist can also help if you’re not sure which drops to choose.
Seek care promptly if you have eye pain, a sudden change in your vision, sensitivity to light, or one very red eye. These symptoms need checking straight away and may not be dry eye.
How is dry eye checked?
Dry eye is usually checked as part of a comprehensive eye test. Our optometrist will ask about your symptoms, screen use, contact lenses, general health and medications, then look at your tears, eyelids and the front of your eyes. If they see signs of dry eye, they’ll explain what’s likely to help. If you have symptoms, mention them when you book so our optometrist knows to look for it.
