What is the best treatment for severe dry eyes​?

Do your eyes often feel sore, gritty, or tired? Do you wake up with red or sticky eyes, or find that blinking doesn’t help the discomfort?
If so, you may have severe dry eyes, a common condition that can make everyday life difficult.

At My Eye Clinic in Gosforth, we see many people who struggle with dry, painful eyes. Some have tried drops and wipes with little success. Others aren’t sure why their eyes feel so uncomfortable.

The good news is that there are effective treatments available, and with the right care, your eyes can feel much more comfortable again.

Let’s look at what causes severe dry eyes, what treatments work best, and how you can find out which option suits you.

What is severe dry eye?

Dry eye happens when your eyes don’t make enough tears or when your tears don’t stay on your eyes long enough.

Your tears have three layers:

• Oil– keeps the surface smooth and stops tears from evaporating.
• Water– keeps your eyes hydrated.
• Mucus– helps spread the tears evenly across your eyes.

If one of these layers isn’t working properly, your eyes can feel dry, sore, or irritated.

Severe dry eye means your eyes are often uncomfortable and the dryness affects your vision or quality of life. You may notice:

• Burning, stinging, or gritty feelings
• Blurry or fluctuating vision
• Red, sore eyes
• Extra watering (yes, watery eyes can mean dryness!)
• Sensitivity to light
• Tired or heavy eyes, especially after screen time

If this sounds familiar, it’s important to get help, because dry eyes usually get worse without proper treatment.

What causes severe dry eyes?

Many different things can lead to dry eyes, such as:

• Ageing– tear production slows down as we get older.
• Screen use– blinking less often while using devices dries your eyes.
• Contact lenses– can reduce oxygen and moisture reaching your eyes.
• Menopause or hormone changes– affect tear quality.
• Medications– such as antihistamines, antidepressants, or blood pressure tablets.
• Medical conditions– like blepharitis, rosacea, or autoimmune diseases.
• Environment– air conditioning, heating, or wind can make things worse.

When dry eye becomes severe, it often means your eyes aren’t just lacking moisture, the glands that make your tears may be blocked or inflamed.

What is the best treatment for severe dry eyes?

There isn’t one single treatment that works for everyone. The best treatment depends on what’s causing your dryness.

At My Eye Clinic Gosforth, we use a full dry eye assessment to find out what’s going wrong, and then build a plan that suits your eyes.

Here are some of the most effective treatments for severe dry eyes:

1. In-clinic dry eye treatments

When drops aren’t enough, there are advanced treatments that can give long-lasting relief.

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light Therapy)

If your dryness is linked to inflammation or eyelid problems, IPL can help. It uses light pulses around the eyes to reduce inflammation, clear blocked glands, and improve tear quality. Many patients notice a big improvement after just a few sessions.

BlephEx® (Eyelid Cleaning Treatment)

Sometimes bacteria and debris build up on your eyelids, blocking the glands that make healthy tears. BlephEx gently cleans the edges of your lids to remove buildup, helping your eyes feel fresh and comfortable again.

2. Prescription eye drops and gels

If over-the-counter drops aren’t enough, stronger prescription drops can help.
Your eye specialist might suggest:

• Anti-inflammatory drops (like cyclosporine or lifitegrast) to calm inflammation.
• Lubricating gels or ointments that last longer overnight.
• Serum eye drops, made from your own blood plasma, for the most severe cases.

These treatments don’t just mask symptoms, they help heal and protect the surface of your eyes.

3. Lifestyle and home care

Even small changes can make a big difference in managing dry eyes.

Try these at home:

• Use warm compresses– hold a clean, warm cloth over your eyes for 5–10 minutes each day.
• Blink more often– especially when using a screen.
• Stay hydrated– drink plenty of water through the day.
• Avoid fans and smoke– they dry out the air.
• Eat omega-3 rich foods– like salmon, flaxseed, and walnuts, which can help your eyes make better quality tears.

These steps help support the professional treatments your optometrist recommends.

4. Punctal plugs

If your eyes lose tears too quickly, tiny plugs can be placed in your tear ducts to help your eyes stay moist longer.
It’s a simple, painless procedure that keeps more of your natural tears where they belong, on your eyes.

5. Regular dry eye reviews

Because dry eye is a long-term condition, regular follow-ups are key. At My Eye Clinic, we’ll track your progress, adjust your treatment as needed, and help prevent flare-ups.

How to find out what treatment is right for you

Everyone’s eyes are different. What works for one person might not work for another, and that’s why testing matters.

At My Eye Clinic Gosforth, we start with a Dry eye assessment that checks:

• How well your tears work
• The health of your eyelids and glands
• The surface of your eyes
• Any inflammation or damage

Once we know what’s causing your dryness, we’ll create a personal treatment plan that targets the real problem, not just the symptoms.

Final thoughts

Severe dry eyes can make life frustrating, but there are effective treatments that can bring real relief. From advanced therapies like LipiFlow and IPL to simple home care and hydration, help is available.

At My Eye Clinic in Gosforth, we’re experts in finding the best dry eye treatment for each patient. Whether your dryness is mild or severe, we’ll help you get back to clear, comfortable vision.

Take our dry eye suitability self-test today and take the first step toward happier, healthier eyes.