A majority of us are guilty of ignoring sore and irritated eyes. While the ‘staying fit’ wave has engulfed most of us, eye health remains the most neglected aspect of our physical fitness. Sore, painful, and red eyes may all be indicators of a more serious problem other than mere eye strain. They may be indicators of the Dry Eye Syndrome.
What is Dry Eye Syndrome?
Dry eye syndrome occurs when the eyes fail to produce enough tears, or when the tears evaporate too quickly or lack the right composition to keep the eye’s surface adequately lubricated. Tears play a vital role in maintaining corneal health, providing clear vision, and protecting the eyes from infections. This condition is often associated with dehydration, as insufficient tear production can result when the body lacks proper hydration. Maintaining a stable and consistent layer of tears over the eyes is essential for normal visual function. If left unmanaged, dry eye syndrome can become a chronic problem, leading to persistent discomfort and potential damage to the ocular surface.
Let’s understand the various symptoms, treatment options, and how you can prevent this eye health issue with the help of some simple yet effective tips.
What are the symptoms of Dry Eye?
Common symptoms of Dry Eyes include:
- Burning, stinging, or gritty sensation
- Eye redness and soreness
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurred or fluctuating vision
- Excess tearing (reflex watering)
- Eye fatigue or difficulty reading/screens
- Problems wearing contact lenses
If experiencing these signs for several weeks, consult an eye care specialist for proper assessment and diagnosis.
What are the main causes of Dry Eye Syndrome?
Dry eyes can result from multiple factors:
- Age-related changes: Tear production naturally declines after 50 years.
- Screen time: Prolonged computer/phone/tablet use reduces blink rate; digital strain is a growing cause.
- Environmental conditions: Dry climates, pollution, air conditioning, and wind.
- Medical disorders: Diabetes, thyroid disease, Sjögren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis.
- Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD): Imbalanced or blocked eyelid oil glands.
- Hormonal changes: Menopause and certain hormone therapies.
- Medications: Antihistamines, antidepressants, diuretics, blood pressure drugs.
What are some latest Dry Eye treatment options?
Treatment depends on severity, and a tailored plan suggested by the eye doctor will suit you the best. But some of the common and new options include:
- Artificial tears: Preservative-free over-the-counter eye drops help manage mild cases.
- Prescription eye drops: Drugs like cyclosporine (Restasis), lifitegrast (Xiidra), and new FDA-approved Tryptyr (acoltremon) stimulate natural tear production and reduce inflammation.
- Punctal plugs: Tiny devices block tear ducts to retain moisture for longer.
- Warm compresses and eyelid hygiene: Unclog meibomian glands and enhance tear film quality.
- Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy: Used for immune dysfunction and severe MGD.
- Nutritional supplements: Omega-3 (fish oil, flaxseed) can improve tear film stability.
- Lifestyle changes: Take screen breaks, blink often, use wrap-style sunglasses outside, stay hydrated, and maintain eyelid hygiene.
How to prevent Dry Eyes?
Here are some simple yet effective tips to prevent your eyes from drying out:
- The simplest solution is to drink plenty of water. This will avoid dehydration and in turn keep your eyes from drying out.
- Make a conscious effort to blink more frequently. This is crucial especially for those who work with digital screens. Blinking less results in or worsens the dry eye syndrome.
- Take frequent breaks while working on digital screens for long hours. Follow the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 seconds, look away from your screen and look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This will help protect your eyes from digital strain.
- Always wear good-quality sunglasses when stepping out in the sun. This will protect your eyes from dry winds and harmful UV rays. Give preference to the wrap-style frames as these will give maximum protection against wind, dust, and any other irritants that may cause or make the dry eye syndrome worse.
- In terms of nutrition, you can add fish such as salmon and sardines to your diet. The nutrients in fish oil can help relieve dry eyes.
- Make it a point to clean your eyelids when you wash your face before going to bed. You can use a warm compress or pre-moistened eyelid wipes available in the market to clean away the bacteria that may cause meibomian gland problems, which leads to dry eye syndrome.
- If you wear contact lenses, be careful—sometimes it’s hard to know if dry eyes are causing lens discomfort or if the lenses are making your eyes dry. If you notice dryness, give your eyes a break from contacts until treatment is complete. Your eye doctor may also recommend options like LASIK surgery, which can help reduce your dependence on lenses.
If dry eyes are affecting your daily comfort or vision, don’t ignore the signs. Schedule a consultation with our specialists at Insight Vision Center and find the right treatment to restore healthy, comfortable eyes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most cases can be managed successfully—permanent symptoms are rare, especially with ongoing care and lifestyle changes.
Yes, insufficient tear coverage leads to intermittent blurry or fluctuating vision, especially after prolonged digital device use.
Hydration, omega-3 supplements, frequent blinking, humidifiers, and quality sunglasses help relieve mild symptoms.
Dr. Azhar I. Salahuddin is an ophthalmologist and is fellowship-trained in cornea, external diseases, and refractive surgery. Dr. Salahuddin has been performing cataract surgery for over 19 years and specializes ocular reconstruction, corneal transplantation surgery as well as vision correction through a variety of intraocular lenses. Dr. Salahuddin is board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and was trained at Boston University.
