7 signs you might have dry eye (and what to do about it)?

Do your eyes feel sore, tired, or uncomfortable? You may think it is just part of a busy day, but it could be dry eye syndrome.

Dry eye syndrome is a common problem that affects people of all ages. It happens when your eyes do not make enough tears or when tears dry up too quickly. This can affect your comfort, your eye health, and even your vision.

The good news is that help is available. Knowing the signs can help you get the right treatment sooner.

What is dry eye syndrome?

Your eyes need a healthy layer of tears to stay comfortable and clear. Tears help protect the front of the eye, wash away dust, and keep your vision sharp.

When your tears are not working properly, the surface of your eye can become dry and irritated. Symptoms can range from mild discomfort to ongoing problems that affect daily life.

Dry eye symptoms can be caused by many things. Environmental factors such as wind, heating, air conditioning, and screen use can make symptoms worse. Age, certain medicines, and some eye conditions can also play a role.

Top 7 symptoms of dry eye

Your eyes feel gritty or scratchy

A gritty or scratchy feeling is one of the most common symptoms of dry eyes. You may feel as though there is sand, dust or something stuck in your eye, even when there is nothing there.

This can happen when the tear film does not cover the eye properly. The surface can become dry and irritated, which may lead to discomfort when you blink.

Your eyes water all the time

It may seem strange, but watery eyes can be a sign of dry eye.

When your eyes become too dry, they can produce extra tears as a response. These sudden tears may not have the right balance of water and oils to keep your eyes comfortable for long.

If your eyes regularly water in cold, windy or air-conditioned places, dry eye could be one possible cause.

You have blurred vision that comes and goes

Dry eye can cause vision that comes and goes. You may notice that things look blurry for a short time and become clearer when you blink.

This happens because your tear film forms part of the smooth surface your eye needs for clear vision. If the tear film breaks up too quickly, your vision may become blurred.

However, fluctuating or blurred vision can have other causes too. If your vision changes often, it is important to have your eyes checked.

 Your eyes sting, burn or feel sore

Burning, stinging and soreness are common symptoms of dry eyes. Your eyes may feel uncomfortable after reading, using a phone or working at a computer.

You may also notice that the white part of your eyes looks red. This can happen when the surface becomes irritated.

Sudden, severe or painful redness should not be assumed to be dry eye. It can sometimes be linked to an infection, inflammation or another eye problem, so professional advice is important.

Wearing contact lenses feels uncomfortable

If you wear contact lenses, you may notice that they no longer feel as comfortable as they once did.

You may find that your lenses feel dry by the end of the day or that you need to take them out earlier than usual. Some people find that they can only wear their lenses for a few hours before discomfort starts.

Dry eye can be one reason for this change. An eye care professional can check your eyes and help you understand whether dry eye or another problem is affecting your contact lens comfort.

Your symptoms get worse in certain places

Your surroundings can have a big effect on dry eye symptoms.

Heating, air conditioning, wind and dry air can make tears evaporate more quickly. Long periods looking at a computer, phone or tablet can also make symptoms worse because we tend to blink less when concentrating on a screen.

Taking regular screen breaks, blinking often and avoiding air blowing directly towards your eyes may help reduce discomfort.

Your eyes feel tired or heavy

Dry eyes can make your eyes feel tired, heavy or strained, especially later in the day.

Reading, driving or working on a computer may become harder when your eyes are uncomfortable. You may find yourself rubbing your eyes or needing to take more breaks.

Eye tiredness can have many causes, so it is important not to assume that dry eye is always the reason. An eye assessment can help find the cause.

Dry eye symptoms checklist

If you often experience these symptoms, dry eye could be affecting you. Use this checklist to see which symptoms sound familiar:

☐ My eyes feel gritty or scratchy
☐ My eyes feel dry or sore
☐ My eyes sting or burn
☐ My eyes water a lot
☐ My eyes look red
☐ My vision becomes blurry or changes during the day
☐ My eyes feel tired or heavy
☐ Contact lenses feel uncomfortable
☐ My symptoms get worse when using screens
☐ My eyes feel worse in heated or air-conditioned rooms
☐ Wind makes my eyes feel dry or irritated
☐ I often need to rub my eyes

Having one or more of these symptoms does not always mean you have dry eye. If your symptoms keep coming back or affect your daily life, an eye assessment can help find the cause.

What can you do about dry eye?

There are several treatments available for dry eye syndrome.

Many people benefit from lubricating eye drops. In some cases, preservative free drops may be recommended for frequent use. These products work by replacing moisture and helping to protect the surface of the eye.

Artificial tears can provide relief for many patients, but treatment depends on the underlying cause of the problem.

It is also important to identify any contributing factors. Certain medicines, medical conditions, allergies, or even an allergic reaction may play a role in dry eye symptoms.

Why regular eye exams matter

Routine eye exams are important for more than just updating your glasses prescription.

They help monitor overall eye health and can detect conditions before symptoms become serious. Some eye diseases, including diabetic retinopathy, age related macular degeneration, and problems affecting the optic nerve, may not cause obvious symptoms in the early stages.

Regular examinations can also help identify refractive errors, monitor existing eye conditions, and reduce the risk of undetected changes that could lead to loss of vision if left untreated.

How My Eye Clinic can help with dry eye

At My Eye Clinic in Gosforth, Newcastle, we can assess your eyes and look for possible causes of your symptoms.

A dry eye assessment can look at the quality of your tears, how quickly they evaporate and the health of your eyelids and the surface of your eyes. This can help your clinician recommend treatment based on your individual needs.

Visit our dry eye treatment page to learn more about the options available, or take our dry eye self-test to see if your symptoms could be linked to dry eye.

Dry eye FAQs

What are the most common symptoms of dry eyes?

The most common symptoms include gritty or scratchy eyes, burning, stinging, redness, watering, tired eyes and vision that becomes blurry or changes during the day.

Can dry eyes cause watery eyes?

Yes. When the surface of the eye becomes dry or irritated, your eyes can produce extra tears. These tears may not stay on the eye in the same way as a healthy tear film.

Can dry eyes affect vision?

Yes. Dry eye can cause temporary or fluctuating blurry vision. However, changes in vision can have many causes, so ongoing or sudden changes should be checked.

Can screen time cause dry eyes?

Long periods of screen use can make dry eye symptoms worse because people often blink less when concentrating. Taking regular breaks and making a conscious effort to blink can help.

Can dry eyes be treated?

Yes. Treatment depends on the cause and severity of your symptoms. Options can include artificial tears, preservative-free drops, eyelid care, lifestyle changes and in-clinic dry eye treatments.

Find out what is causing your symptoms

Dry, sore or watery eyes can be frustrating, but you do not have to simply put up with them. Understanding the symptoms of dry eyes is the first step towards finding the right care.

If your symptoms are affecting your comfort or daily life, My Eye Clinic in Gosforth can help you find out what is causing them and discuss suitable treatment options.

Take our quick online dry eye self-test today to take the first step towards more comfortable eyes.

Your best vision could still be ahead of you.