Dry eye: causes, symptoms and how to relieve it

Do you feel that your eyes burn, itch or get tired quickly? Does light bother you, or do you notice they get red for no apparent reason? You may be experiencing what is known as dry eye syndrome, one of the most common vision conditions today, yet one that many people fail to identify or treat correctly.

In this article we explain what dry eye is, why it appears and what you can do to relieve it. And when it is the right moment to come and see us at Òptica Florit for an assessment.

What is dry eye?

Dry eye occurs when the tear film that protects the surface of the eye isn't enough, either because too little tear fluid is produced or because it evaporates too quickly. That tear film has three layers (lipid, aqueous and mucous), and when one of them fails the eye is left unprotected and gets irritated.

💡 Did you know? Dry eye affects between 10 and 30% of the adult population, and its prevalence rises with age and screen use. It is more common in women, especially after the menopause.

Although it may seem like a minor issue, untreated dry eye can significantly affect your quality of life and, in advanced cases, the health of the cornea.

Why does it appear? The most common causes

There are multiple factors that can trigger or worsen dry eye. These are the most common:

Screens for hours on end

When we look at a screen, we blink much less than normal (up to 60% less), which dries out the ocular surface.

Age and hormonal changes

With age, tear production naturally decreases. Hormonal changes in women also play a role.

Dry or air-conditioned environments

Heating, air conditioning and wind speed up the evaporation of the tear film.

Medications

Antihistamines, antidepressants, antihypertensives and oral contraceptives can reduce tear production.

Poorly managed contact lenses

Wearing contact lenses for more hours than recommended or not replacing them in time can worsen or cause dry eye.

Systemic diseases

Sjögren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis or lupus can affect the glands that produce tears.

How do I know if I have dry eye? The main symptoms

Dry eye can show up in very different ways, and sometimes the symptoms seem contradictory (excessive tearing can actually be a sign of dry eye!):

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Burning or itching sensationThe eyes burn or itch, especially at the end of the day or after spending time in front of screens.
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Excessive (paradoxical) tearingFaced with dryness, the eye produces an emergency tear response, but these reflex tears aren't enough to protect it.
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Redness and irritationBlood vessels dilate to compensate for the lack of lubrication, giving that red-eye appearance.
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Blurry or fluctuating visionVision can briefly blur, especially when reading, and improve with blinking.
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Photophobia (light sensitivity)Natural or artificial light can bother you more than usual when the ocular surface is damaged.
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Foreign body sensationThe feeling of "grit" or something inside the eye, even when there's nothing there, is one of the most characteristic symptoms of dry eye.

Severity levels

MildOccasional discomfort, no impact on vision. Usually improves with artificial tears and healthy habits.

ModerateFrequent symptoms that affect work and reading. Requires evaluation and a structured treatment plan.

SevereConstant symptoms, compromised vision, possible corneal damage. Needs urgent specialist attention.

How to relieve dry eye: tips and treatments

Steps you can take yourself

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Artificial tears

They are the first line of treatment. There are many formulas. Ideally, an optician or specialist should recommend the one that best fits your case.

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The 20-20-20 rule

Every 20 minutes in front of a screen, look at something 20 metres (about 20 feet) away for 20 seconds. This relaxes the eye muscles and encourages blinking.

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Manage your environment

Use humidifiers at home or in the office. Avoid sitting directly under the air conditioning or a fan.

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Hydration and diet

Drink enough water. Omega-3 fatty acids (oily fish, walnuts, flax seeds) help improve the quality of the lipid layer of the tear film.

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Rest your eyes

Get enough sleep and, if you wear contact lenses, take them out before going to bed and respect the recommended daily wearing times.

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Eyelid hygiene

Applying warm compresses to the eyelids and gently cleaning the lid margins can improve the function of the Meibomian glands.

⚠️ Important: not all artificial tears are the same. Those containing preservatives can worsen irritation if used several times a day. At Òptica Florit we help you choose the right eye drops for your specific case.

Contact lenses and dry eye: are they compatible?

This is one of the questions we get asked most at the optician. The answer is: it depends on the degree of dry eye and the type of contact lens.

Type of contact lens	Suitable for dry eye?	Why
Daily silicone hydrogel lenses	✓ Best option	High breathability and moisture retention. Being daily disposables, you always have a fresh lens.
Conventional monthly lenses	✗ With caution	They build up deposits that irritate the eye more. They can be used if dry eye is mild and with strict hygiene.
Traditional hydrogel lenses	✗ Not recommended	Low breathability. They worsen hypoxia and dryness in dry eye cases.
Scleral lenses (specialty use)	✓ For severe cases	They create a reservoir of artificial tear over the cornea. Very effective, but require specialist fitting.

When should you see an optician?

There are signs that show dry eye needs professional evaluation, beyond home remedies:

Symptoms don't improve after using artificial tears for 2–3 weeks.
You notice that your vision is frequently affected.
You experience discomfort when wearing contact lenses that you used to tolerate well.
The redness is persistent or comes with discharge.
There is a sense of pain, not just discomfort.

At Òptica Florit we carry out an ocular surface evaluation at no extra cost. With the right instruments we can assess the quantity and quality of your tears, the function of the Meibomian glands and the state of the cornea, and guide you towards the most appropriate treatment.

🧪 Want to find out if you have dry eye? Take our online Dry Eye Test — the clinically validated OSDI questionnaire. It only takes 2 minutes.

Frequently asked questions about dry eye

Can dry eye be cured?

Chronic dry eye doesn't have a definitive cure in most cases, but it can be very well managed. With the right treatment (artificial tears, lifestyle changes and, occasionally, medication), the vast majority of patients live a perfectly normal life without dry eye dictating their day-to-day.

Can I use artificial tears while wearing contact lenses?

It depends on the drops. Preservative-free tears with a specific formula for contact lenses (usually indicated on the packaging) can be applied while wearing the lens. Those that contain preservatives should be applied with the lenses removed. Ask us and we'll help you choose the right product.

Does dry eye get worse over time?

In general, it does tend to worsen with age, especially in women after the menopause. But with good management and regular check-ups, its progression can be slowed and good visual quality can be maintained for many years.

What is the difference between lubricating drops and vasoconstrictor drops?

Lubricating drops (artificial tears) hydrate and protect the surface of the eye, and are the right choice for dry eye. Vasoconstrictors remove redness temporarily by constricting the blood vessels, but they don't treat the cause and, when overused, can make the irritation worse. Avoid them for regular use.