Quick read
Key points
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Dry eyes happen when the eyes don't produce enough tears, or the tears evaporate too quickly, leading to symptoms like a gritty or burning sensation, redness, and sometimes blurred vision. It's common, particularly with age, and can be worsened by screen use, dry environments, certain medications, or underlying conditions.
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Topic-specific prevention and risk reduction will be added during the article-specific evidence audit.
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Dry eye symptoms are persistent and not improving with over-the-counter treatments
01 · Know
What is Dry Eyes?
Dry eyes happen when the eyes don't produce enough tears, or the tears evaporate too quickly, leading to symptoms like a gritty or burning sensation, redness, and sometimes blurred vision. It's common, particularly with age, and can be worsened by screen use, dry environments, certain medications, or underlying conditions.
Dry eyes are usually manageable with simple measures, including artificial tears and environmental changes, though persistent or severe cases may benefit from further assessment and treatment.
02 · Understand
Clinical context
Screen use often reduces blink rate
People tend to blink less often when concentrating on screens, which can worsen dry eye symptoms — consciously blinking more often, or taking regular screen breaks, can help.
03 · Act
When to See a Doctor
- 1Dry eye symptoms are persistent and not improving with over-the-counter treatments
- 2You have significant pain, light sensitivity, or vision changes
- 3You wear contact lenses and are experiencing worsening discomfort
- 4You have an underlying condition, such as an autoimmune disease, that could be contributing
04 · Prevent & manage
Practical steps
Preservative-Free Drops Are Better for Frequent Use
If using artificial tears frequently throughout the day, preservative-free formulations are generally preferred, as some preservatives can irritate the eyes with repeated use.
- 1Use artificial tears regularly.These lubricate the eyes and ease dryness — a pharmacist can recommend a suitable product.
- 2Take regular breaks from screens.This helps you blink more naturally, which is important for spreading tears across the eye.
- 3Use a humidifier in dry indoor environments.This can help reduce tear evaporation.
- 4Avoid direct airflow onto your eyes.This includes fans, air conditioning, and car heater vents, which can worsen dryness.
- 5See a doctor if symptoms persist.Further treatments or investigation of an underlying cause may be needed.
Evidence
References
BarnMD Health Intelligence uses authoritative and clinically relevant sources appropriate to the topic. References are shown so readers can inspect the evidence directly.
- Moorfields Eye Hospital: Dry eye ↗
Medical information notice
Health education, not individual medical advice
BarnMD Health Library provides general health education for public health literacy. Reading this article does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and this information is not a diagnosis, prescription, or personalised treatment plan. If you have symptoms or concerns about your health, seek appropriate advice from a qualified healthcare professional. If you develop emergency warning signs, seek urgent or emergency medical attention.
BarnMD Bottom Line
Dry eyes are common and usually manageable with simple measures like artificial tears and environmental adjustments.
Persistent symptoms, or those affecting contact lens wear, are worth a doctor's assessment.