Dry, uncomfortable or irritated eyes can have a significant impact on everyday life. If symptoms keep returning, you may find yourself wondering: what is the best treatment for dry eyes?
There isn’t one treatment that’s right for everyone. Dry eye can have several different causes, so effective treatment begins with understanding why your eyes are dry in the first place.
At The Medical Eye Clinic in Exeter, we assess the health of the eye and tear film before recommending treatment tailored to the individual. Depending on the cause and severity of your symptoms, this may range from simple lubricating eye drops and changes to your daily routine to specialist treatments for persistent dry eye.
What Is Dry Eye?
Dry eye occurs when your eyes do not produce enough tears or when your tears evaporate too quickly.
A healthy tear film does much more than simply keep the eyes wet. It helps lubricate and protect the surface of the eye while supporting clear, comfortable vision.
When the tear film becomes unstable, you may experience symptoms including:
- Gritty or sandy-feeling eyes
- Soreness or irritation
- Itching
- Redness
- Burning or stinging
- Intermittent blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Tired eyes
- Excessive watering
It may seem unusual for dry eyes to water, but excessive tearing can occur when irritation triggers the eye to produce reflex tears.
What Causes Dry Eyes?
Finding the best treatment for dry eyes starts with identifying the underlying cause.
Dry eye can be associated with a number of factors, including:
- Age-related changes to tear production
- Prolonged computer or screen use
- Contact lens wear
- Air conditioning or central heating
- Windy, dry or dusty environments
- Problems with the oil-producing glands in the eyelids
- Blepharitis
- Certain medications
- Some underlying health conditions
For some people, several factors contribute to their symptoms at the same time.
This is why persistent dry eye should not simply be treated as a lack of moisture. A detailed assessment can help identify which part of the tear system is causing the problem.
What Is the Best Treatment for Dry Eyes?
The best treatment for dry eyes depends on the type and severity of dry eye you have.
For mild symptoms, lubricating eye drops and simple lifestyle changes may provide sufficient relief. More persistent cases may require treatment aimed at inflammation, the eyelids, tear drainage or the underlying cause.
Here are some of the options that may be considered.
- Lubricating Eye Drops
Artificial tears or lubricating eye drops are often one of the first treatments recommended for dry eye.
They supplement the natural tear film, helping to lubricate the surface of the eye and reduce irritation.
There are many different formulations available, including:
- Lubricating eye drops
- Preservative-free drops
- Thicker gels
- Night-time ointments
Some patients need to try different formulations before finding the one that provides the most effective relief.
Preservative-free drops may be recommended for people who need frequent lubrication or whose eyes are sensitive to preservatives.
Although artificial tears can provide valuable symptom relief, they may not address the underlying cause of persistent dry eye.
- Eyelid Care and Warm Compresses
Healthy eyelids play an important role in maintaining a stable tear film.
Small glands within the eyelids produce oils that help prevent tears from evaporating too quickly. If these glands become blocked or do not function properly, the tear film can become unstable.
Depending on the cause of your dry eye, an eye care professional may recommend an eyelid-care routine involving gentle cleaning, massage or appropriately used warm compresses.
Regular eyelid hygiene can also be helpful where conditions such as blepharitis contribute to dry eye symptoms.
- Changing Your Screen Habits
Spending long periods looking at a computer, tablet or mobile phone can contribute to dry eye symptoms.
When concentrating on a screen, we may blink less frequently. This allows tears to evaporate from the surface of the eye more quickly.
If screens are contributing to your symptoms, simple changes may help:
- Take regular breaks from your screen
- Make a conscious effort to blink fully
- Position your monitor slightly below eye level
- Avoid having fans or air conditioning blowing towards your face
- Consider using a humidifier in particularly dry rooms
These changes may not treat an underlying eye condition, but they can help reduce environmental triggers.
- Treating Inflammation
Inflammation can play an important role in some forms of chronic dry eye.
Where this is the case, your ophthalmologist may recommend prescription treatment designed to reduce inflammation on the surface of the eye.
The Medical Eye Clinic’s existing dry-eye treatment pathway includes options such as ciclosporin for appropriate patients. Other anti-inflammatory treatments may also be considered depending on the individual’s eye health and diagnosis.
Prescription eye treatments should only be used following appropriate clinical assessment and according to the instructions provided by your eye specialist.
- Punctal Plugs
Your tears naturally drain through tiny openings in the eyelids called puncta.
For some patients with more significant dry eye, an ophthalmologist may recommend punctal occlusion. Small plugs are used to reduce tear drainage, allowing natural tears and lubricating drops to remain on the eye for longer.
Punctal plugs are not suitable for every type of dry eye. In particular, controlling significant ocular surface inflammation may be important before reducing tear drainage.
A specialist assessment can determine whether this treatment is appropriate.
- Specialist Dry Eye Treatments
If standard treatments are not providing enough relief, additional specialist options may be considered.
The appropriate treatment will depend on what is causing your symptoms and may focus on improving tear-film quality, managing inflammation or supporting the function of the eyelid glands.
Rather than repeatedly trying different products without understanding the cause, patients with ongoing symptoms can benefit from a comprehensive dry-eye assessment and a personalised treatment plan.
Can Lifestyle Changes Help Dry Eyes?
Yes. Small changes to your environment and daily routine can complement clinical treatment.
You may find it helpful to:
- Take regular breaks when using screens
- Avoid direct airflow from fans and air conditioning
- Use a humidifier in dry environments
- Wear suitable eye protection in windy conditions
- Take appropriate breaks from contact lenses
- Maintain good eyelid hygiene
If you think a medication is contributing to your symptoms, speak to your GP or prescribing clinician. You should not stop taking prescribed medication without medical advice.
When Should You See a Dry Eye Specialist?
Occasional mild dryness can often be managed successfully with simple measures. However, you should consider seeking professional advice if your symptoms persist despite trying over-the-counter treatments.
An assessment may be particularly helpful if you experience:
- Persistent soreness or irritation
- Frequent blurred vision
- Significant redness
- Difficulty wearing contact lenses
- Symptoms affecting reading or computer use
- Regular reliance on eye drops without lasting improvement
- Dry eye symptoms that are becoming progressively worse
Persistent symptoms may indicate an underlying problem that needs more targeted treatment.
Seek urgent medical advice for symptoms such as significant eye pain, sudden changes or loss of vision, marked light sensitivity or a very red eye.
Why Choose The Medical Eye Clinic for Dry Eye Treatment?
At The Medical Eye Clinic in Exeter, we understand that dry eye can be much more than a minor inconvenience.
Our approach is focused on identifying the factors contributing to your symptoms before recommending an appropriate treatment plan.
With specialist ophthalmic expertise and access to a range of dry-eye treatments, we can help patients manage persistent symptoms and improve everyday eye comfort.
Find the Right Dry Eye Treatment for You
So, what is the best treatment for dry eyes?
For some patients, the answer may be the right lubricating eye drops and changes to their daily routine. For others, successfully managing dry eye requires specialist treatment directed at inflammation, tear drainage or problems with the eyelid glands.
The important thing is finding the treatment that’s appropriate for your eyes.
If dry, gritty, watery or uncomfortable eyes are affecting your daily life, contact The Medical Eye Clinic to arrange an assessment and discuss your treatment options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best treatment for dry eyes?
The best treatment depends on what is causing your dry eye. Options can include lubricating drops, eyelid care, lifestyle changes and specialist treatments. An eye examination can help determine the most appropriate approach.
What are the best eye drops for dry eyes?
Different eye drops suit different types and severities of dry eye. Preservative-free lubricating drops are often useful for people requiring frequent treatment, but an eye care professional can recommend an appropriate formulation for your individual needs.
Can dry eyes be cured permanently?
Dry eye is often a long-term condition that needs ongoing management rather than a one-off cure. Identifying and treating the underlying causes can significantly improve symptoms for many patients.
Why are my eyes watering if they are dry?
Dryness and irritation can trigger reflex tearing. These tears may be more watery and may not provide the balanced tear film needed to keep the surface of the eye comfortable.
When should I see a specialist about dry eyes?
Consider an assessment if your symptoms persist for several weeks, regularly affect your vision or daily activities, or do not improve with simple measures such as lubricating drops.