Can you have dry eye in one eye​?

Dry eye is very common.
Most people think it affects both eyes.

But many people ask:

“Can you have dry eye in one eye?”

The answer is yes, you can.

In this blog, we explain:

• What dry eye is
• Why it can affect one eye more than the other
• Common causes of one-sided dry eye
• When to seek help
• What treatment options are available

What is dry eye?

Dry eye happens when:

• Your eye does not make enough tears, or
• Your tears dry up too fast

Tears keep the eyes:

• Smooth
• Comfortable
• Clear

When tears do not work well, eyes can feel sore and uncomfortable.

Common dry eye symptoms

Dry eye can cause:

• Burning or stinging
• A gritty or sandy feeling
• Redness
• Blurry vision
• Watery eyes
• Tired or heavy eyes

These symptoms can affect:

• Both eyes
• Or just one eye

Is dry eye usually in both eyes?

Dry eye often affects both eyes.
But it does not always feel the same in each eye.

One eye may:

• Feel more dry
• Feel more sore
• Look more red

Sometimes, only one eye has symptoms.

Why can dry eye affect only one eye?

There are several reasons why dry eye can affect one eye more than the other.

1. Blocked oil glands in one eyelid

Each eye has oil glands in the eyelids.

If glands are blocked on one side:

• Tears dry up faster in that eye
• Dry eye symptoms may appear on one side only

This is very common.

2. Eyelid problems on one side

Conditions like:

• Blepharitis
• Styes
• Chalazion

Can affect one eyelid more than the other.

This can lead to dry eye symptoms in one eye.

3. Sleeping on one side

If you sleep mostly on one side:

• One eye may dry out more
• Airflow may affect that eye

This can cause dryness in one eye, especially in the morning.

4. Screen use and blinking habits

When using screens:

• We blink less
• Tears dry up faster

If one eye works harder or is more exposed:

• Dry eye may feel worse on that side

5. Previous eye surgery or injury

Dry eye may affect one eye more if:

• You had surgery on one eye
• One eye was injured in the past

This can change tear production or eyelid movement.

6. Contact lens wear

If you wear a contact lens in one eye:

• That eye may feel drier
• The lens can reduce moisture

Dry eye can appear in one eye only.

7. Nerve changes

Sometimes, nerve sensitivity differs between eyes.

One eye may:

• Feel dryness more strongly
• Be more sensitive

This can make symptoms feel one-sided.

Can one-eye dry eye become both-eye dry eye?

Yes.

Dry eye often changes over time.

What starts in one eye:

• May later affect both eyes
• Or may stay worse in one eye

Early care can help stop symptoms from getting worse.

Is one-eye dry eye serious?

Most of the time, no.

But you should not ignore it.

One-eye dry eye may need checking to rule out:

• Eyelid infection
• Inflammation
• Other eye conditions

An assessment helps find the cause.

How is dry eye checked?

A dry eye assessment looks at:

• Tear quality
• Tear stability
• Oil gland health
• Eyelid condition
• Inflammation

Each eye is checked separately.

How is dry eye treated if it’s only in one eye?

Treatment depends on the cause.

It may include:

• Preservative-free eye drops
• Warm eye masks
• Eyelid cleaning
• Lifestyle advice
• IPL treatment

Treatment can be focused on one eye if needed.

Can dry eye improve with treatment?

Yes.

With the right care:

• Comfort improves
• Redness reduces
• Vision becomes clearer

Many people feel better within weeks.

When should I seek help?

You should seek help if:

• Dry eye lasts more than a few weeks
• Only one eye feels sore or red
• Vision becomes blurry
• Drops do not help
• You feel pain

Early care makes treatment easier.

Why choose My Eye Clinic in Gosforth?

At My Eye Clinic, we:

• Check each eye carefully
• Look for one-sided causes
• Offer modern dry eye treatments
• Create clear, personal care plans

Our goal is comfortable, healthy eyes.

Take the dry eye suitability self-test

If one eye feels dry or sore, help is available.

Take our quick dry eye suitability self-test to see if a dry eye assessment may be right for you.