Dry eye syndrome
Dry eye disease
What it is
Dry eye disease (DED), also called keratoconjunctivitis sicca, is when your eyes don’t stay as moist as they should. This can happen because the eyes don’t make enough tears or because tears evaporate too quickly. It’s a common, usually long‑lasting condition that can affect one or both eyes and your daily activities.
Symptoms
- Dryness, burning, or a sandy/gritty feeling
- Redness or irritation
- Excessive tearing (paradoxically)
- Blurred or fluctuating vision, especially with computer or phone use
- Eye tiredness, sensitivity to light, or a feeling of something in the eye
Causes
- Aging and hormonal changes
- Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and blepharitis (eyelid problems) → tears evaporate too fast
- Contact lenses, LASIK or other eye surgery
- Autoimmune diseases such as Sjögren syndrome
- Nutritional deficiencies (e.g., vitamin A) or omega-3s
- Medications (some antidepressants, antihistamines, decongestants, blood pressure drugs, hormone therapy)
- Environmental factors (wind, smoke, dry air, air conditioning, screens)
- Eye injuries or eyelid problems
- In some cases, unknown (idiopathic)
How it’s diagnosed
- Doctor talks about symptoms and does a eye exam
- Tests may include:
- Schirmer test: measures tear production on paper
- Tear breakup time (TBUT): how long tears stay on the eye
- Tear osmolarity or other tear tests (less common in every visit)
- Eyes are checked for surface damage and eyelid health
- DED is often classified as:
- Aqueous-deficient (not enough tears are produced)
- Evaporative (tears disappear too fast, usually from MGD)
- Many people have a mix of both
Treatment options
The goal is to relieve symptoms and protect the eye surface. Treatments vary by cause and severity.
- Basic care
- Artificial tears or lubricating eye drops
- Lubricating ointments at night
- Humidifiers at home, and protective sunglasses or wraparound glasses
- Resting eyes and taking breaks from screens; blinking regularly
- Eyelid and tear film care
- Warm eyelid cleansings and mild lid scrubs
- Treat blepharitis or rosacea if present
- Eyelid hygiene helps improve tear distribution
- Medications and eye drops
- Topical anti-inflammatory drops (short-term steroids) for flare-ups
- Cyclosporine eye drops (Restasis, Cequa) to reduce inflammation and make more tears
- Autologous serum eye drops (made from your blood) in some cases
- Some people benefit from antibiotics with anti-inflammatory effects
- Tear retention and supplementation
- Punctal plugs to block tear drainage and keep tears on the eye longer
- Devices or procedures to reduce tear drainage (cautery of tear ducts)
- Treatments for meibomian gland problems
- Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy and other specialized approaches
- BlephEx or similar in‑office lid‑scrub procedures
- Diet and supplements
- Omega‑3 supplements may help some people, though evidence is mixed
- A healthy diet supports overall eye health
- More advanced or rare options
- Laser or surgical approaches in severe cases (very rare)
- Eye drops or treatments tailored to specific conditions contributing to dry eye
What you can do day to day
- If you use digital screens, follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds; blink often
- Wear protective eyewear in windy, dusty, or smoky environments
- Avoid smoking and exposure to irritants
- Don’t rub your eyes
- Keep rooms humid; use a diffuser or humidifier in dry seasons
- Maintain eyelid hygiene and treat blepharitis if present
- Talk with your doctor before stopping or changing any medications
Who’s most affected
- Dry eye is very common, especially in people over 40 and in women
- It can range from mild to severe and may affect daily activities and comfort
- Most cases are chronic and require ongoing care
Prognosis
- Most people have mild to moderate symptoms that can be managed with drops and lifestyle changes
- Some people have more persistent symptoms that need stronger or combination treatments
- Ongoing management helps protect the eye surface and preserve vision
If you have persistent symptoms, see an eye care professional to determine the cause and the best treatment plan for you.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 11:22 (CET).