Dry eyes occur when the surface of the eye is not sufficiently lubricated. Symptoms range from mild irritation and a gritty feeling to intermittent blurring of vision. Below we outline usual symptoms, common triggers, everyday care tips and guidance on when to seek professional assessment or urgent help.
Common symptoms to recognise
Dry-eye symptoms often appear together and can fluctuate during the day. Typical complaints include dryness, burning or stinging, itching, a gritty or foreign-body sensation, redness, sensitivity to light, eye fatigue and occasional blurred vision. Symptoms may be worse with prolonged reading or screen use.
Typical causes and risk factors
Tear production and eye-surface health can be affected by age-related changes, hormonal shifts, reduced blink frequency during screen work, dry or windy environments, air-conditioning, smoking and contact-lens wear. Systemic conditions and certain environmental or occupational exposures may also contribute.
Practical daily measures for comfort
Simple adjustments often reduce symptoms: take regular breaks during focused work and blink deliberately, increase indoor humidity, avoid direct airflow from fans or vents, minimise exposure to smoke, remove eye make-up gently and follow contact-lens hygiene recommendations. These steps can improve comfort; a specialist can advise on specific options if symptoms persist.
When to consult a specialist or seek urgent care
An eye-care professional should be consulted when symptoms are persistent, affect daily activities or do not improve with basic measures. Seek urgent assessment or emergency services if there is sudden vision loss, severe eye pain, intense redness, thick coloured discharge, extreme light sensitivity or significant eye injury.