Condition

Dry eye disease

Medical reviewer Mr Mohamed Mohyudin· Last recorded site review

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References for this section: NHS — Dry eyesNational Eye Institute - Dry Eye

Your next step →

Understand it visually

Explore the diagram

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How the eye works

A thin tear film covers the front of the eye. Blinking spreads it over the cornea to keep the surface comfortable and smooth.

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What changes

Dry eye can develop when there are too few tears or the tear film breaks up too quickly. The surface may feel gritty or sore, and vision may fluctuate.

  1. Lens
  2. Retina
  3. Optic nerve

Simplified educational diagram. It does not show what every person sees or replace an eye examination.

Sources for this information

What is dry eye — and who should skip this page?

The tear film has mucin, watery tears and an oily lid layer that slows evaporation. Evaporative dry eye (often meibomian gland dysfunction and blepharitis) is common. Aqueous-deficient dry eye (age, some medicines, Sjögren’s) produces too little watery tear. Many people have a mix. Skip this page for chemical splash, a contact-lens red eye with pain or reduced vision, or sudden loss — those are not ‘try another drop’ problems.

Screens reduce blink rate. Air-con, wind, contact lenses and antihistamines add evaporative stress. That overlap with digital eye strain does not mean dry eye is imaginary.

We do not rank lubricating-drop brands. Preservative-free bottles or unit-doses are often kinder if you dose often. Your pharmacist or clinician can match a drop to how you use your eyes.

BlepharitisMeibomian gland dysfunctionSjögren’s and the eyeDigital eye strain

References for this section: NHS — Dry eyesNational Eye Institute - Dry Eye

Why do dry eyes water?

Reflex tears can flood the surface yet still lack a stable oily layer, so they run down the cheek while grit remains. Watery eyes are therefore not proof that you ‘cannot have dry eye’.

  • Grit, burn or a sandy feeling
  • Blur that clears after a blink
  • Redness and tiredness worse with screens or wind
  • Contact lenses that will not last the day
  • Symptoms worse later in the day

References for this section: NHS — Dry eyesNational Eye Institute - Dry Eye

What is the treatment ladder?

Start with frequent preservative-free lubricants, warm compresses and lid hygiene if the lids are involved, screen breaks with full blinks, and a humidifier if the air is dry. Step up to prescription anti-inflammatory drops, punctal plugs, or specialist procedures only after assessment.

Omega-3 is sometimes discussed; evidence is mixed and we do not prescribe a capsule dose here. Treat blepharitis properly before blaming ‘the wrong drop’.

Ladder — not a shopping order you must climb

StepTypical toolsWho it is often not for
Daily habitLubricants, blinks, 20-20-20, lid warmth if MGDChemical injury or a painful contact-lens red eye
Prescribed dropsAnti-inflammatory drops such as ciclosporin or lifitegrast where licensedAnyone self-starting a steroid drop from an old bottle
ProceduresPunctal plugs, serum tears, specialist lid proceduresUntreated infection or an unexamined red eye

Dry eye treatmentPunctal plugsHow to use eye drops

References for this section: NHS — Dry eyesNational Eye Institute - Dry Eye

When is a gritty eye an emergency?

Same-day care for severe pain, marked light sensitivity, reduced vision, a contact-lens wearer with a red eye, a white spot on the cornea, or symptoms after injury or welding without protection. Ordinary dry eye is annoying; a corneal ulcer is not ordinary dry eye.

Red eyeContact lens discomfortCorneal ulcer

References for this section: NHS — Dry eyesNational Eye Institute - Dry Eye

Practical guides

How to use eye dropsSimple steps to put in eye drops safely: wash hands, one drop, avoid touching the bottle tip to your eye.

Treatments & Surgery

Dry eye treatmentLubricating drops, eyelid care and simple changes that ease dry, gritty eyes and blepharitis.Scleral lensesLarge, rigid contact lenses that vault over the cornea to give clear, comfortable vision in keratoconus and severe dry eye.Punctal plugsTiny plugs placed in the tear ducts to keep natural tears on the eye for longer in dry eye.Blepharitis treatmentDaily eyelid hygiene, warm compresses, and sometimes drops or antibiotics to control inflamed eyelid margins.BlepharoplastySurgery to remove excess upper or lower eyelid skin and fat; can improve vision when droopy lids block sight.

Frequently asked questions

Are dry eyes curable?

Usually managed rather than cured. Many people control flares with drops, lid care and environment changes; prescriptions help moderate to severe disease.

Can screens cause dry eye?

They contribute. Concentration reduces blink rate. Conscious full blinks and breaks help; they do not treat a corneal infection.

Should I stop contact lenses?

During a painful red eye, yes. For chronic dryness, a practitioner may switch you to daily disposables or a different material after examining the surface.

Do punctal plugs help?

They can help selected aqueous-deficient eyes by slowing drainage. They are not first-line for untreated blepharitis.

Is this the same as Sjögren’s?

Sjögren’s is one cause of aqueous-deficient dry eye, often with a dry mouth. Most dry eye is not Sjögren’s. Do not self-diagnose from this page.

Your next step

Take this to your appointment

Take regular screen breaks and reduce direct airflow or smoke exposure. Ask a pharmacist or eye-care professional which lubricating drops suit you. Persistent symptoms need an examination.

  • Is the main problem tear production, evaporation, eyelids or another cause?
  • Which drops should I use, how often, and are they suitable for contact lenses?
  • Would lid care help, and can you show me how?
  • When should we review whether treatment is working?
Patient resourcesFind care where you live →

Sudden loss of sight, severe eye pain or a dark curtain across vision needs immediate assessment. Do not wait to complete a worksheet.

Sources for this information

These references support the information on this page. Follow the linked source for its full context.