Dry Eye for Beginners: Where to Start
Dry Eye: the few things that matter most, and the mistakes that catch people out early.
Insufficient or poor-quality tear film, causing grittiness, burning and paradoxical watering.
Key takeaways
- Typical symptoms: grittiness, burning, fluctuating vision, watering
- First-line treatment: lubricating drops, used regularly rather than as needed
- Most useful single change: Use lubricating drops on a schedule rather than only when uncomfortable.
- Commonest mistake: Drops marketed to "get the red out", which can worsen symptoms.
- See a doctor if any of the signs under "When to speak to a doctor" below apply to you.
Why bother
It is common, chronic and frequently under-treated, and the watering it causes is often mistaken for the opposite problem.
Start here
Two to start. There is no prize for doing all of it in week one.
- Use lubricating drops on a schedule rather than only when uncomfortable
- Use warm compresses and lid hygiene if the lid margins are involved
Then add these
After that, these.
- Blink deliberately during screen work
- Choose preservative-free drops for frequent use
The numbers, in one place
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Typical symptoms | grittiness, burning, fluctuating vision, watering |
| First-line treatment | lubricating drops, used regularly rather than as needed |
| Preservative-free drops | preferred if using them more than four times a day |
| Contributors | screen use, air conditioning, contact lenses, some medicines |
Common early mistakes
- Drops marketed to "get the red out", which can worsen symptoms
- Direct air flow from fans, vents or hairdryers
- Assuming watery eyes cannot be dry eyes
Where to go next
- The Short Guide to Dry Eye
- Dry Eye: What the Evidence Actually Says
- Dry Eye — the reference entry
- The Evidence on Conjunctivitis, Without the Hype
- Children's Vision: What the Evidence Actually Says
When to speak to a doctor
See a GP or optometrist for persistent symptoms not responding to lubricants, or for dry eyes with a dry mouth and joint pain, which can indicate Sjogren's syndrome. Seek same-day help for a painful red eye with vision change, light sensitivity or discharge.
Where this comes from
How this page was put together
Every figure, recommendation and warning above is taken from the guidance named in Where this comes from. Nothing on this page is inferred, summarised or generalised beyond what those bodies publish: where they give a number, it is their number, and where they are silent, so are we. Pages are rebuilt whenever the underlying record changes. Sign-off by a named clinician, where it has happened, is shown at the top of the page along with the date.
Medical disclaimer
This article is general information, not medical advice. It cannot account for your own history, medication or circumstances. Always speak to a GP, pharmacist or another qualified health professional before making changes that affect your treatment, and never delay seeking medical advice because of something you have read here. In an emergency, call 999.
Spotted something wrong? Report an error on this page. We correct on the page and say what changed.
