Condition
Dry eye
Dry eye is a common condition in which the eyes do not make enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly. It causes grittiness, burning, tired eyes, and sometimes watering or blurred vision. It is more common with age, screen use, and some medicines. Treatment is matched to the cause.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Meera Krishnan, MBBS, MS (Ophthalmology) —
About dry eye
A healthy tear film keeps the surface of the eye smooth and comfortable. In dry eye, the tears are too few or of poor quality, often because the oil glands along the eyelids are not working well (called meibomian gland dysfunction). Age, long hours of screen use with reduced blinking, dry or air-conditioned environments, contact lenses, some medicines, and some general health conditions all contribute.
Symptoms
Dry eye can cause:
- A gritty, sandy, or burning feeling
- Redness and tired eyes, worse late in the day
- Watering, as irritation triggers reflex tears
- Vision that blurs and clears with blinking
- Discomfort with screens, wind, or air-conditioning
When to get help now
Dry eye is uncomfortable but rarely an emergency. Severe eye pain, marked sensitivity to light, or a sudden change in vision are not typical of dry eye and need prompt assessment for another cause.
This website is for information and appointments. It is not monitored for emergencies. For sudden loss of vision, a serious eye injury, or severe eye pain with nausea or vomiting, call 108 for an ambulance or go to the nearest emergency department.
How it is diagnosed
An ophthalmologist diagnoses dry eye from your history and an examination of the eyelids, tear film, and eye surface under the slit lamp. Harmless dyes can show dry patches on the surface, and simple measurements can record tear quantity. The assessment also looks for causes, such as lid gland problems or medicines, because treatment is matched to the cause.
How it is managed
Options in general include lubricating drops, warm compresses and lid care for gland problems, changes to screen habits and environment, and, for some people, treatment of lid inflammation or small plugs that slow tear drainage. Dry eye is usually managed over the long term rather than ended by a single treatment, and the plan is reviewed against your symptoms.
This page is educational and is not a treatment plan; the ophthalmologist discusses what applies to you at consultation.
Sources
Medically reviewed by Dr. Meera Krishnan, MBBS, MS (Ophthalmology) —
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to the questions patients ask most.
Why do my eyes water if they are dry?
A dry, irritated eye surface triggers reflex tears, which are watery and drain quickly, so the eye waters without staying comfortable. Watering is a common sign of dry eye, not evidence against it.
Can screen use cause dry eye?
Long screen sessions reduce how often you blink, which lets the tear film dry out. Regular breaks, conscious blinking, and screen position below eye level help some people; the assessment covers this.
Will dry eye go away?
It depends on the cause. Some causes can be treated directly. For many people dry eye is a long-term condition that is kept comfortable with ongoing care rather than removed by one treatment.
Appointments
Plan your visit.
Share your contact details and the clinic will call you to arrange a visit.