Sore, gritty, tired eyes by mid-afternoon? Watery eyes that never seem to feel properly lubricated? You may be dealing with Dry Eye Disease (DED) — one of the most common eye conditions, affecting people of all ages, and one of the most frequently misunderstood.
The good news: once you understand why your eyes are dry, it’s usually very manageable. In this guide, we’ll explain what dry eye is, what causes it, how to spot the symptoms, and which treatments — from lubricating eye drops to warm compress masks — actually help.
What Is Dry Eye?
The surface of your eye relies on a thin layer of tears — called the tear film — to stay lubricated, clear and comfortable. When this tear film doesn’t form properly, or evaporates too quickly, the eye surface becomes dry and irritated. This is Dry Eye Disease.
Tears aren’t just water. The tear film is made up of three layers that all need to work together:
- The lipid (oil) layer — the outer layer, produced by the Meibomian glands in your eyelids, which stops tears evaporating too fast
- The aqueous (water) layer — the largest layer, produced by the lacrimal glands, providing moisture
- The mucin layer — the inner layer that helps tears spread evenly across the eye
If any one of these layers isn’t working properly, dry eye symptoms can follow.
Symptoms of Dry Eye
Dry eye doesn’t always feel like “dryness.” Symptoms vary from person to person, and for some people, dryness only shows up during a routine eye exam. Common signs include:
- Burning, stinging or gritty eyes
- Red or irritated eyes
- A feeling that something is stuck in your eye
- Eyelids that feel sticky, or stick together on waking
- Tired, fatigued eyes — especially after screen use
- Blurred vision that clears when you blink
- Watery or excessively teary eyes
That last one surprises most people. When the eye surface becomes irritated, it can trigger a flood of reflex tears — but these watery tears often lack the oils needed for lasting lubrication, so the underlying dryness remains even though your eyes are streaming.
What Causes Dry Eye?
Dry eye usually comes down to one of two underlying problems — or a combination of both:
- Not enough water — the lacrimal glands aren’t producing enough of the aqueous (watery) component of tears
- Too much evaporation — there’s enough water, but not enough oil to stop it evaporating, often due to Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)
Common contributing factors include:
- Ageing — tear production and gland function naturally decline over time
- Hormonal changes — pregnancy, menopause and the contraceptive pill can all affect the tear film, which is one reason dry eye is more common in women
- Climate and weather — cold, wind and very dry air increase tear evaporation
- Screens and modern work environments — we blink less, and less completely, when looking at screens; air conditioning and central heating make this worse
- Certain medications — some antihistamines, decongestants, cold and flu remedies and blood pressure medications can reduce tear production
- Underlying medical conditions affecting the eyelids, glands or tear stability
- Recent eye surgery — symptoms often ease within 6–10 weeks as the eye heals
How Is Dry Eye Treated?
Because dry eye has two different root causes, treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all. The right approach depends on whether your eyes need more water, better oil, or both.
If Your Eyes Need More Water
- Stay hydrated. Aim for around 2 litres of fluid a day, and go easy on caffeine, which can be dehydrating.
- Review your medications with your GP. Never stop a prescribed medicine without medical advice, but flag dry eye symptoms — an alternative may be available.
- Use lubricating eye drops. Artificial tears replace the missing watery layer. Preservative-free options are recommended for frequent use — typically around four times a day, or as advised by your optometrist. Good options include: Hylo-Tear, Hylo-Forte, Thealoz Duo, Artelac, Systane.
If Your Eyes Are Losing Water Too Fast (Evaporative Dry Eye / MGD)
- Improve your blinking. Try the 20-20-20 rule — every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds and blink slowly and fully several times.
- Use a night-time gel or ointment for longer-lasting lubrication while you sleep. Good options: Hylo-Night, Thealoz Duo Gel, Vidisic, Liposic.
- Try an oil-containing daytime drop such as Hylo-Dual, which combines lubrication with an oil component to reduce evaporation without blurring.
- Apply warm compresses. Heat helps soften and release oils trapped in the Meibomian glands. A reusable heated eye mask makes this easier to maintain as a routine — try Optase or Blepha bag
- Consider your omega-3 intake. Omega-3 fatty acids may support tear film health. Look for EPA and DHA content rather than total fish oil amount — Omega-Eye by Scope is one option. Speak to a healthcare professional before starting any supplement.
What Are the Best Eye Drops for Dry Eye?
There’s no single “best” drop for everyone — it depends on why your eyes are dry. If you’re mainly lacking moisture, a watery lubricating drop like Hylo-Tear or Systane may be enough. If evaporation is the issue, an oil-containing option like Hylo-Dual or Hylo-Dual Intense or a night-time gel such as Vidisic, may serve you better.
As a general rule, preservative-free drops are the safer choice for regular use, since preservatives can themselves irritate an already sensitive eye surface.
If you’re using drops often but not seeing improvement, that’s usually a sign there’s an underlying cause — such as Meibomian gland dysfunction — that needs a more targeted approach, like warm compresses, rather than simply more drops.
Can Dry Eye Be Cured?
For most people, dry eye is something to manage rather than cure outright. Symptoms tend to fluctuate and can flare up with certain triggers, including increased screen time, air conditioning, cold or windy weather, seasonal allergies, and reduced or incomplete blinking.
The encouraging part: once you know what’s driving your symptoms, dry eye can usually be kept well under control with the right combination of lubricating drops, good blinking habits, warm compresses and a few environmental tweaks.
When to See an Eye Care Professional
If your eyes are regularly sore, gritty, tired, red or watery — or your vision is blurring or fluctuating — it’s worth booking an eye examination rather than just reaching for more drops. An optometrist can assess your tear film, identify whether water, oil, or both are the issue, and recommend a treatment plan tailored to your eyes.
If dry eye symptoms develop or persist after an eye procedure, contact your eye care professional for advice.
Shop our full dry eye range, including preservative-free lubricating drops, night-time gels, oil-containing drops, heated eye masks and omega-3 supplements.
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for personalised advice from your optometrist, pharmacist or GP.