[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.myeyeclinicgosforth.com\/what-is-dry-eye-syndrome-and-what-causes-it\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.myeyeclinicgosforth.com\/what-is-dry-eye-syndrome-and-what-causes-it\/","headline":"What is dry eye syndrome and what causes it?","name":"What is dry eye syndrome and what causes it?","description":"Dry, gritty eyes? You could have dry eye syndrome. Learn what causes it, how it affects your vision, and what to do about it in our latest blog.\r\n","datePublished":"2025-07-15","dateModified":"2025-07-15","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.myeyeclinicgosforth.com\/author\/myeyeclinic\/#Person","name":"My Eye Clinic","url":"https:\/\/www.myeyeclinicgosforth.com\/author\/myeyeclinic\/","identifier":8,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8387103c2072d667018bc0a76890e72a3a28b15f0cb4d824dadcb29a5e8e13d3?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8387103c2072d667018bc0a76890e72a3a28b15f0cb4d824dadcb29a5e8e13d3?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"My Eye Clinic Gosforth","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.myeyeclinicgosforth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Retina-Sticky-Header-Logo-v2-166x120-Rob-Boyce-My-Eye-Clinic-Newcastle.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.myeyeclinicgosforth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Retina-Sticky-Header-Logo-v2-166x120-Rob-Boyce-My-Eye-Clinic-Newcastle.jpg","width":167,"height":122}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.myeyeclinicgosforth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/What-Is-Dry-Eye-Syndrome-and-What-Causes-It-Rob-Boyce-My-Eye-Clinic-Newcastle.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.myeyeclinicgosforth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/What-Is-Dry-Eye-Syndrome-and-What-Causes-It-Rob-Boyce-My-Eye-Clinic-Newcastle.jpg","height":534,"width":950},"url":"https:\/\/www.myeyeclinicgosforth.com\/what-is-dry-eye-syndrome-and-what-causes-it\/","about":["Dry Eye & Blepharitis"],"wordCount":529,"articleBody":"What is dry eye syndrome and what causes it?Dry, gritty, itchy eyes? You're not alone. Millions of people around the world suffer from dry eye syndrome, a condition that can affect your comfort, clarity of vision, and quality of life.In this blog, we\u2019ll explain:What dry eye syndrome isThe role of your tear filmWhat causes dry eyesHow it can affect your day-to-dayWhat you can do to treat itWhat is dry eye syndrome?Dry eye syndrome (also known as dry eye disease) is a common condition where your eyes either don\u2019t make enough tears or the tears you produce aren\u2019t good quality.This can lead to symptoms like:DrynessBurning or stingingGrittiness (like sand in your eye)RednessBlurred visionEye fatigue.For some, it\u2019s a mild annoyance. For others, it can make reading, driving, or working on screens very uncomfortable.Understanding the tear filmTo understand dry eyes, it helps to understand the tear film \u2014 a thin layer of moisture that coats the surface of your eye.The tear film has three layers:Oil (lipid) layer: Stops tears from evaporating too quicklyWater (aqueous) layer: Hydrates and washes away debrisMucus (mucin) layer: Helps spread tears evenly over the surface.If any one of these layers is out of balance, the tear film becomes unstable. That\u2019s called tear film dysfunction, and it\u2019s at the heart of most dry eye problems.What causes dry eyes?Dry eyes can be caused by many things. Common causes include:Ageing: Tear production naturally decreases as we get olderHormonal changes: Especially during menopauseScreen use: Staring at screens reduces how often you blinkContact lenses: Can disrupt the tear filmEye surgery: LASIK or cataract surgery may temporarily reduce tear productionMedical conditions: Like Sj\u00f6gren\u2019s syndrome, blepharitis, or diabetesEnvironmental factors: Dry air, wind, heating or air conditioningMedications: Antihistamines, antidepressants, blood pressure drugs.Often, it\u2019s a mix of several of these.How do dry eyes affect daily life?Dry eyes aren\u2019t just annoying \u2014 they can get in the way of:Reading for long periodsWorking on a computerDriving, especially at nightWearing contact lensesBeing outdoors in wind or sun.Some people feel irritated all the time. Others notice blurry vision that comes and goes throughout the day.Can dry eyes damage your vision?In most cases, dry eye is more uncomfortable than dangerous. But if left untreated, it can lead to:Increased risk of eye infectionsDamage to the corneal surfaceSensitivity to light.That\u2019s why it\u2019s important to treat dry eye early \u2014 especially if it\u2019s affecting your lifestyle or vision.How is dry eye diagnosed?At My Eye Clinic in Gosforth, we use advanced tools to:Measure tear productionAssess tear film qualityCheck for signs of inflammation or damageThis helps us create a personalised treatment plan that targets the cause, not just the symptoms.What\u2019s next?If you\u2019re constantly rubbing your eyes or relying on drops, it might be time for a proper dry eye assessment.You don\u2019t have to live with discomfort."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"What is dry eye syndrome and what causes it?","item":"https:\/\/www.myeyeclinicgosforth.com\/what-is-dry-eye-syndrome-and-what-causes-it\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]