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Dry eyes: causes, symptoms and what actually helps
Last updated: 20 August 2026
Burning, gritty, tired — and oddly enough sometimes watery: dry eyes wear many disguises. It's one of the most common eye complaints, especially over forty and with lots of screen work. Usually harmless, sometimes stubborn, and almost always improvable.
In short
- Dry eyes arise from too little tear fluid or from tears evaporating too fast — the latter is most common.
- Watery eyes can paradoxically be a sign of dry eyes.
- Self-care: blink consciously during screen work, keep eyelid margins warm and clean, use preservative-free drops.
- If symptoms persist, or you have pain or blurred vision: have your eyes examined.
⚠ Acute symptoms?Sudden vision loss, an eye injury, chemicals in the eye, severe pain, or new blind spots in your visual field? Don't wait for an online explanation — call your GP (huisarts), the out-of-hours GP service, or 112 immediately.
How do dry eyes develop?
Your tear film is a thin, three-layer coat: mucus, water and an outer oil layer. Dry eyes develop when too little tear fluid is produced, or — far more often — when the oil layer falls short and tears evaporate too quickly. That oil comes from glands in your eyelids (the Meibomian glands); when they clog or turn sluggish, your tear film evaporates faster than it is replenished.
Common drivers: screen work (you blink up to half as often), drier air from heating or air-conditioning, contact lenses, ageing, hormonal changes, some medicines (such as antihistamines and some antidepressants) and skin conditions like rosacea.
Why do my dry eyes water?
It sounds contradictory, but it's a classic: an irritated dry eye sends a distress signal, and the eye responds with a surge of watery 'panic tears'. Those tears lack the oil layer, evaporate quickly and don't solve the problem — so the cycle keeps spinning. Watery eyes by no means rule out dry eyes.
What can you do yourself?
Three things with the most effect. One: blink consciously and completely, especially at screens — and give your eyes a break every twenty minutes by looking into the distance. Two: keep your eyelid margins healthy with warmth (a warm washcloth or dedicated mask, a few minutes) followed by a gentle massage towards the lashes — this re-liquefies the oil layer. Three: use preservative-free artificial tears; for evaporative complaints the slightly oilier variants often work better than thin watery ones.
Also helpful: drinking enough, decent indoor humidity, and not aiming the car vent or a fan straight at your face.
When should you see a professional?
If symptoms persist despite a few weeks of self-care, if your vision blurs, with real pain, or if you can no longer tolerate your lenses. An optometrist can assess the tear film and the glands and advise specifically — sometimes there's more going on, such as eyelid inflammation (blepharitis) that needs treating first.
If you frequently use 'red-eye relief' drops containing a vasoconstrictor: better not — they mask the problem and can worsen it over time.
Frequently asked questions
Are dry eyes harmful to my eyes?
Usually not — mostly they're a nuisance. With severe, prolonged dryness the cornea can become irritated or damaged. Persistent complaints therefore simply deserve an assessment.
Do omega-3 supplements help?
The evidence is mixed: some people notice improvement, large studies show varying results. Worth a try but no miracle cure; oily fish in your diet is never a bad idea anyway.
Can I keep wearing contact lenses with dry eyes?
Often yes, but it's a matter of precision. Material, wearing time and replacement schedule genuinely matter — discuss it with your contact lens specialist instead of soldiering on with irritation.
Sources and further reading
This article is general explanation, not medical advice about your situation. For acute symptoms: call your GP, the out-of-hours GP service, or 112.