Why Are My Eyes So Dry?

Causes, Symptoms and Treatment of Dry Eyes

Gritty, scratchy, tired eyes that feel like they need constant rubbing.Vision that blurs when you stare at a screen for too long.Eyes that water constantly, which feels like the opposite problem but often is not.

If any of this sounds familiar, you may be living with dry eye disease, and you are far from alone.

Dry eye is now one of the most common eye complaints we see, and the number of people affected is rising. This guide explains what is actually going on, why it is happening more than ever, and most importantly, what can be done about it.

Why is dry eye so much more common now?

If your eyes feel drier than they used to, your daily routine is likely playing a role.

Since the pandemic, screen use has increased dramatically. Working from home removed something we did not realise we were benefiting from. Natural breaks.

Walking to meetings. Conversations in corridors. Making a cup of tea. Your eyes had moments to reset.

Now, back-to-back video calls and hours of uninterrupted screen time have become the norm, and our eyes are feeling it.

When we focus on something up close, we blink far less often. And blinking matters far more than most people realise.

What actually happens when you blink?

Blinking does two important things.

First, it spreads your tear film evenly across the surface of the eye, much like a windscreen wiper. Without regular blinking, that tear film breaks down and dry patches begin to form.

Second, blinking helps create the tear film itself.

Along the eyelids sit tiny oil-producing glands called the meibomian glands. Every time you blink, these glands are gently compressed, releasing oils into your tears. This oil layer is what prevents your tears from evaporating too quickly.

When you stare at a screen and do not blink fully or frequently enough, both processes are disrupted. The tear film becomes unstable, and the glands stop functioning as they should.

Over time, this can lead to lasting changes in the glands themselves.

Is dry eye actually a disease?

Yes, and this is an important shift.

Dry Eye Disease is now recognised as a chronic condition in its own right. It involves inflammation of the ocular surface and, in many cases, structural changes to the glands within the eyelids.

It is not simply tired eyes.

It can be progressive, meaning it tends to worsen over time if left untreated.

Understanding this changes how we manage it. The goal is not short-term relief. It is long-term control.

What is your tear film actually made of?

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Your tears are not just water. They are made up of different layers, each with an important role.

The bulk of your tears is the aqueous layer, the watery component that keeps the surface of the eye hydrated and comfortable.

Over the top sits a very thin but essential lipid layer, made up of oils produced by the meibomian glands in your eyelids.

This oil layer acts as a protective seal. It slows evaporation of the watery layer beneath, helping your eyes stay hydrated for longer. It also has antibacterial properties, helping to protect the surface of the eye.

These glands run along the upper and lower eyelids, releasing oils into your tear film every time you blink.

If they become blocked or stop functioning properly, the oil layer becomes unstable or insufficient. Without that protection, tears evaporate far too quickly.

This leads to evaporative dry eye, the most common form of Dry Eye Disease.

Not all dry eye is the same

One of the most important things to understand is that dry eye is not one single condition.

There are different types, and they require different approaches.

Evaporative Dry Eye

The most common type.

This occurs when the oil layer of the tear film is insufficient, causing tears to evaporate too quickly. It is most often linked to meibomian gland dysfunction, where the glands become blocked or stop working effectively.

This is the type most strongly associated with screen use and incomplete blinking.

Aqueous Deficient Dry Eye

Here, the eye does not produce enough of the watery component of tears.

This is less common but can be linked to hormonal changes, certain medications, or underlying health conditions.

Mixed Dry Eye

Many people experience a combination of both.

This is why a proper assessment matters. Treating the wrong type will not give lasting relief.

Why supermarket eye drops often do not help

Reaching for eye drops feels like the obvious solution. And in the short term, they can help.

But most over-the-counter drops simply mask the symptom.

If your dry eye is caused by an oil deficiency, adding more water to the eye without addressing the oil layer is like topping up a leaking bath without fixing the plug. Relief is temporary, and the problem returns.

Some drops also contain preservatives that can irritate the surface of the eye with frequent use.

What an optometrist can do that a supermarket shelf cannot

A proper dry eye assessment looks beyond the surface.

It allows your optometrist to:

• Identify the type of dry eye

• Assess the health of the meibomian glands

• Evaluate tear film quality and stability

• Understand contributing lifestyle or medical factors

  
  

From there, treatment can be tailored properly.

This may include:

• Heated lid treatments to unblock glands

• Targeted, prescription-grade eye drops

• Omega-3 dietary support

• Lid hygiene routines

• In-practice treatments for more advanced cases

  
  

The aim is not to rely on drops throughout the day. It is to restore function and improve long-term comfort.

Devices like the Peep Club Heated Eye Wand™ pictured above are transforming the way we approach dry eye treatment.

Rather than being something we only think about when symptoms flare up, eyecare is starting to become part of a daily routine, much like skincare or oral care.

After all, you wouldn’t wait until you had a cavity to start brushing your teeth, so why wait to look after your eyes?

Who is most at risk?

Dry Eye Disease can affect anyone, but it is more common in people who:

• Spend long hours on screens

• Wear contact lenses

• Are going through hormonal changes, including menopause

• Take medications such as antihistamines or antidepressants

• Work in air-conditioned or heated environments

• Are over 50

That said, we are seeing more and more younger patients presenting with symptoms, largely driven by screen use and modern working habits.

What happens at CBTR?

At CBTR Opticians, dry eye assessments are part of our comprehensive eye examination.

We take the time to understand the underlying cause of your symptoms properly, rather than offering a quick fix.

If your eyes have been feeling uncomfortable, gritty, or tired, it is worth having them looked at.

There is usually a great deal that can be done. It simply starts with understanding what is actually going on.

If you would like to book an appointment, we would love to help.

Hayley Brunsden

Founder & Optometrist

CBTR Opticians