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Date issued: September 2023 

Review date: September 2025

Ref: A-585/MS/Ophthalmology/Dry eyes

PDF: Dry eyes final September 2023.pdf [pdf] 87KB

What are dry eyes?

Tears are not just for crying.

Their normal function is to protect the sensitive outer surface of the eye by keeping it constantly moist and by washing away dirt and dust.

The eye makes two types of tears, one oily and the other watery.

It is the lack of one or the other of these types of tears that makes the eye become dry.

Dry eye can occur for several reasons, either because your eyes do not make enough tears or because your tears evaporate too quickly.

Dry eye is one of the commonest of all eye conditions.  Although it particularly affects older people, it can occur at any age.  It is also more common in women.

Treatment

The symptoms you may experience are:

•  Burning, Gritty feeling eyes

• Itching, Feeling of dryness 

These symptoms may occur more frequently in dry warm environments or in a smoky atmosphere.

Diagnosis

The Doctor/Nurse Practitioner may ask for a tear test.

There are two types of tests.

Test 1:

You will have drops put in your eyes.

You will then be asked to blink and stare, while being examined on the microscope by the Doctor or Nurse Practitioner.

This will tell the Doctor or Nurse Practitioner if you have dry eyes or not.

Test 2

This is not a painful procedure.

This is done by placing two very small pieces of blotting paper on the lower lid.

You sit with your eyes closed for 5 minutes.

After this time the amount of tears that have been absorbed on the blotting paper tell the doctor if you have dry eyes or not. 

Treatment

There is no cure.

The aim of the treatment is to relieve your symptoms with tear replacement eye drops for daytime use and ointment for overnight use.

THE DROPS CAN BE USED AS FREQUENTLY AS YOU FEEL NECESSARY.

The minimum recommended dosage is six times a day.

The ointment is used at night to prevent the eyes becoming dry while you are asleep.

Use the drops more frequently if your symptoms re-occur.

You will usually have to use the drops for the rest of your life.

Please obtain more drops and ointment from your own G.P.

If you pay Prescription charges it may be cheaper to buy further drops and ointment from a Pharmacy/Chemist.

How Can I Help Myself

• Apply artificial tear drops as required.

• Lower the level of brightness on your computer monitor so that your eyes are open less widely while you work, this will slow the evaporation of your tears.

• Drink plenty of fluids to keep your body well hydrated.

• Use a humidifier at home or at work, especially where there is air-conditioning.

• Watch out for situations where you may blink less often and try to blink more frequently when concentrating on a task, e.g., when reading, watching television and looking at a computer monitor.

• Wear wrap-around spectacles when you are outside to stop the wind drying your eyes.

• Avoid places where there are fumes, dust, or smoke, all of which can irritate your eyes.