Dry Eye

Dry eyes

Many people get dry eyes. It’s not usually serious and there are things you can do to help.

You may have dry eyes if your eyes are: itchy, sore, gritty, red, blurry, sensitive to light, more watery than normal.

 

Causes of dry eyes

You can get dry eyes if you do not make enough tears or your tears dry up quickly. You may be more likely to get dry eyes if you:

  • Are over 50
  • Wear contact lenses
  • Look at computer screens for a long time without a break
  • Spend time in air conditioned or heated environments
  • Are exposed to windy, cold, dry or dusty conditions
  • Smoke or drink alcohol
  • Take certain medicines (such as antidepressants, steroids, blood pressure medicines)
  • Have a condition, such as blepharitis, some autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and sjorgens.
A woman with brown hair and a white shirt is tilting her head back while applying eye drops into her right eye using a small bottle. Her left hand gently pulls down her lower eyelid. She is indoors against a soft-focus background.
A man sitting at a desk, rubbing his eyes with both hands, wearing glasses and a blue shirt. In front of him is a laptop. The background is softly blurred, showing shelves with books and decorative items.

How to treat dry eyes yourself

  • Clean your eyelids every day
  • Take breaks to rest your eyes when using a computer screen
  • Make sure your computer screen is just below eye level
  • Use a humidifier to stop the air getting dry
  • If you wear contact lenses, take them out and wear glasses to rest your eyes.
  • Comfort eye drops (ocular lubricants)

 

Your Optometrist can help with dry eyes and be able to tell you:

  • What you can do to treat it yourself – such as cleaning and protecting your eyes
  • If you need drops or medicines such as comfort eye drops, ointments, gels or allergy medicines.

 

Useful Link

HSE – Dry Eyes

World Council of Optometry – Dry Eye