{"id":14498,"date":"2026-10-21T10:37:41","date_gmt":"2026-10-21T10:37:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/?p=14498"},"modified":"2026-10-21T14:00:35","modified_gmt":"2026-10-21T14:00:35","slug":"dry-eyes-causes-and-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/ophthalmology\/dry-eyes-causes-and-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"Dry Eyes \u2013 Causes and Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"toc\">\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong style=\"color: #c01c7b;\">Table of Content<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/ophthalmology\/dry-eyes-causes-and-treatment\/#q1\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><strong><em>What Are \u201cDry Eyes\u201d?<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/ophthalmology\/dry-eyes-causes-and-treatment\/#q2\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><strong><em>Why We Need Tears<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/ophthalmology\/dry-eyes-causes-and-treatment\/#q3\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><strong><em>Symptoms of Dry Eyes<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/ophthalmology\/dry-eyes-causes-and-treatment\/#q4\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><strong><em>Causes of Dry Eyes<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/ophthalmology\/dry-eyes-causes-and-treatment\/#q5\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><strong><em>Complications Caused by Dry Eyes<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/ophthalmology\/dry-eyes-causes-and-treatment\/#q6\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><strong><em>Diagnosing Dry Eyes<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/ophthalmology\/dry-eyes-causes-and-treatment\/#q7\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><strong><em>Treating Dry Eyes<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/ophthalmology\/dry-eyes-causes-and-treatment\/#q8\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><strong><em>Self-Care for Dry Eyes<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h2><strong>Summary\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p class=\"caps\">Dry eyes occur when the eyes don\u2019t produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly. This leads to irritation, redness, itchiness, blurred vision, and discomfort, especially when wearing contact lenses.<\/p>\n<p>Healthy tears have three layers: mucus (to help tears adhere to the eye), watery (to wash away debris and fight infection), and oily (to prevent evaporation).<\/p>\n<p>Common causes of dry eyes include aging, medical conditions, vitamin A deficiency, prolonged screen time, eye surgeries, certain medications, and environmental factors such as smoke or wind.<\/p>\n<p>If left untreated, dry eyes can cause inflammation, corneal ulcers, and infections. Diagnosis involves tests such as the Schirmer\u2019s test and tear breakup time (TBUT). Treatment depends on the cause and may include lubricating eye drops, ointments, punctal plugs, or surgery.<\/p>\n<p>Self-care measures like using humidifiers, taking omega-3 supplements, warm compresses, blinking often, and avoiding smoke or excessive air conditioning can help maintain eye moisture and comfort.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"q1\"><strong>What Are \u201cDry Eyes\u201d?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Dry eyes are a common condition that affects the lubrication and moisture balance of the eyes. Without adequate tears, the eyes can feel dry and irritated, as though there\u2019s dust or grit stuck in them. People may experience blurry vision, redness, itchiness, and sensitivity to light. Wearing contact lenses can also become painful.<\/p>\n<p>Sometimes, the body produces an excess of reflex tears to compensate for the dryness, but these are mostly water\u2014they can wash out debris but evaporate quickly. Chronic dryness can lead to inflammation and damage to the eye\u2019s surface.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"q2\"><strong>Why We Need Tears\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Tears are not just water. They are a complex mixture of <strong>water, oil, and mucus<\/strong>, each forming a specific layer that protects and nourishes the eyes:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Mucus layer<\/strong> \u2013 the innermost layer that helps tears adhere to the eye\u2019s surface. It is produced by the conjunctiva, the transparent membrane covering the whites of the eyes.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Watery layer<\/strong> \u2013 the middle layer, produced by the lacrimal glands. It makes up most of the tear film, washing away dust and debris while carrying proteins and antibodies that prevent infection.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Oily layer<\/strong> \u2013 the outermost layer, produced by the meibomian glands. It prevents the watery layer from evaporating too quickly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The eyes continuously produce tears to stay lubricated and self-cleaning. Tears wash away dust and bacteria, while crying under emotional stress may help release stress hormones\u2014though more research is needed to confirm this benefit.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"q3\"><strong>Symptoms of Dry Eyes\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>People with dry eyes may experience:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A burning sensation<\/li>\n<li>Itchiness<\/li>\n<li>Redness<\/li>\n<li>Sensitivity to light<\/li>\n<li>Watery eyes (a reflex response to dryness)<\/li>\n<li>Blurred vision<\/li>\n<li>A gritty or sandy feeling<\/li>\n<li>Difficulty inserting or removing contact lenses<\/li>\n<li>Discomfort while driving, especially at night<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"q4\"><strong>Causes of Dry Eyes\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The tear film may become unstable or insufficient due to several reasons:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Aging<\/strong> \u2013 Tear production naturally decreases with age, especially after 50.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Medical conditions<\/strong> \u2013 Disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, thyroid disease, and eye allergies can reduce tear production. Corneal nerve damage from prolonged contact lens use may also contribute.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Blocked meibomian glands<\/strong> \u2013 These glands produce the oily layer of tears. When blocked due to dust, allergies, makeup, or contact lens residue, the tears evaporate too quickly.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Environmental factors<\/strong> \u2013 Smoke, dry air, and wind can dry out the eyes.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Vitamin A deficiency<\/strong> \u2013 Vitamin A is essential for producing mucus and maintaining healthy tear volume.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Prolonged screen time<\/strong> \u2013 People blink less often when looking at screens, leading to dryness. Taking periodic breaks and blinking consciously can help.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Eye surgeries<\/strong> \u2013 Procedures such as LASIK or cataract surgery may cause temporary dryness.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Medications<\/strong> \u2013 Certain medicines used for depression, glaucoma, pain, or blood pressure can cause dry eyes. If you suspect this, consult your <strong>ophthalmologist<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"q5\"><strong>Complications Caused by Dry Eyes\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>If left untreated, dry eyes can lead to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Corneal irritation or ulcers due to friction from blinking<\/li>\n<li>Increased risk of eye infections, as tears fail to wash away bacteria effectively<\/li>\n<li>Blurred or fluctuating vision due to poor lubrication<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"also-read\">Also Read: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/news-events\/april-thyroid-problems\/\">Preventable Eye Conditions<\/a><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"q6\"><strong>Diagnosing Dry Eyes\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Diagnosis begins with an eye examination and a review of your medical and environmental history. Several tests may be recommended:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Slit-lamp examination<\/strong> \u2013 to check the eye and eyelids under magnification.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Schirmer\u2019s test<\/strong> \u2013 to measure tear volume.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Tear breakup time (TBUT)<\/strong> \u2013 to evaluate how quickly tears evaporate.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Antibody or allergy tests<\/strong> \u2013 if an autoimmune or inflammatory cause is suspected.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"q7\"><strong>Treating Dry Eyes\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Treatment depends on the underlying cause but may include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Lubricating eye drops (artificial tears)<\/strong> \u2013 Available over the counter for immediate relief.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Eye ointments<\/strong> \u2013 Thicker formulations prescribed for nighttime use to prevent dryness during sleep.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Punctal plugs<\/strong> \u2013 Tiny silicone or gel plugs inserted into the tear ducts to slow tear drainage.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Surgical intervention<\/strong> \u2013 In some cases, a minor procedure may be performed to permanently close the tear ducts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Your ophthalmologist will determine which treatment is best for your specific condition.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"q8\"><strong>Self-Care for Dry Eyes\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>In addition to medical treatment, lifestyle adjustments can help maintain eye moisture:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Avoid allergens and irritants<\/strong> \u2013 Stay away from cigarette smoke, strong wind, and airborne dust. Wear sunglasses outdoors.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Use a humidifier<\/strong> \u2013 Especially if you live in a dry climate or spend time in air-conditioned rooms.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Take omega-3 supplements<\/strong> \u2013 These may help increase tear production and reduce inflammation.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Apply warm compresses<\/strong> \u2013 Warm gel eye masks can relax the eyes and unclog oil glands.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Take regular breaks<\/strong> \u2013 Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Limit contact lens use<\/strong> \u2013 Opt for spectacles if possible.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Avoid prolonged air conditioning<\/strong> \u2013 Air conditioning can dry out your eyes; use artificial tears if you must stay in AC for long periods.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong>Conclusion\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Dry eyes are common but manageable with early diagnosis and the right care. Maintaining good eye hygiene, staying hydrated, and following your <strong>ophthalmologist\u2019s<\/strong> advice can protect your vision and keep your eyes healthy and comfortable.<\/p>\n<p>Dry eyes can cause persistent discomfort and affect your daily activities, but early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can help protect your eye health. If you experience ongoing dryness, irritation, redness, or blurred vision, consult an eye specialist for personalised care. Kauvery Hospital, with branches in Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli, and Trichy, offers expert medical care to help you maintain healthy eyes and clear vision.<\/p>\n<p>Dry eyes can cause persistent discomfort and affect your daily activities, but early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can help protect your eye health. If you experience ongoing dryness, irritation, redness, or blurred vision, consult an eye specialist for personalised care. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/centers-of-excellence-and-specialties\/ophthalmology\/\">Kauvery Hospital, with branches in Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli, and Trichy, offers expert medical care to help you maintain healthy eyes and clear vision<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Frequently Asked Questions<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>What are the common symptoms of dry eyes?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Common symptoms include burning, itching, redness, light sensitivity, blurred vision and a gritty or sandy sensation. Some people also experience watery eyes or discomfort when wearing contact lenses.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What causes dry eyes?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Dry eyes occur when the eyes do not produce enough tears or tears evaporate too quickly. Common causes include ageing, prolonged screen time, certain medical conditions, medications, blocked meibomian glands, vitamin A deficiency and environmental irritants.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Why do my eyes water when they feel dry?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Dry eyes can trigger reflex tearing as the body attempts to relieve irritation. These tears may contain insufficient components to maintain a stable tear film, so they can evaporate quickly without resolving the underlying dryness.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How are dry eyes diagnosed?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>An ophthalmologist may examine the eyes and eyelids using a slit lamp, measure tear production with a Schirmer\u2019s test or assess tear evaporation using tear breakup time (TBUT). Additional tests may be considered when an underlying inflammatory or allergic condition is suspected.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What treatments are available for dry eyes?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Treatment depends on the cause and severity. Options include lubricating eye drops, nighttime eye ointments, punctal plugs to slow tear drainage and, in selected cases, procedures to close the tear ducts.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How can I relieve dry eyes while using a computer?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Take regular screen breaks using the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Blink consciously, avoid direct airflow from air conditioners and consider lubricating eye drops if recommended by an eye specialist.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Can medications cause dry eyes?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Yes. Certain medicines used for depression, glaucoma, pain and blood pressure may contribute to dry eyes. If you suspect a medication is causing symptoms, consult your ophthalmologist or prescribing doctor rather than stopping it yourself.<\/p>\n<p><strong>When should I consult an ophthalmologist for dry eyes?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Consult an ophthalmologist if dryness, redness, irritation or blurred vision persists or affects daily activities. An eye specialist can identify the cause and recommend suitable treatment to help protect the eye surface and vision.<\/p>\n<div class=\"video-embed\">\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Have Dry Eyes? | Here\u2019s What You Can Do | Kauvery Hospital Chennai\" width=\"900\" height=\"506\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/5yGAAl7NIlI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai (Alwarpet, Radial Road &amp; Vadapalani), Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and paediatric trauma care.<\/p>\n<p>Chennai Alwarpet \u2013 044 4000 6000 \u2022 Chennai Radial Road &#8211; 044 6111 6111 \u2022 Chennai Vadapalani \u2013 044 4000 6000 \u2022 Trichy \u2013 Cantonment \u2013 0431 4077777 \u2022 Trichy \u2013 Heartcity \u2013 0431 4077777 \u2022 Trichy \u2013 Tennur \u2013 0431 4022555 \u2022 Maa Kauvery Trichy \u2013 0431 4077777 \u2022 Kauvery Cancer Institute, Trichy \u2013 0431 4077777 \u2022 Hosur \u2013 04344 272727 \u2022 Salem \u2013 0427 2677777 \u2022 Tirunelveli \u2013 0462 4006000 \u2022 Bengaluru \u2013 080 6801 68011<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Wondering why your eyes feel dry, itchy or irritated? Discover common dry eye causes, symptoms, treatments and simple home care tips to protect your eye health.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":14499,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[71],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14498","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ophthalmology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14498","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14498"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14498\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14510,"href":"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14498\/revisions\/14510"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14499"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14498"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14498"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14498"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}