Learn about symptoms and causes of dry eyes, self help treatment options, medication and when to seek medical help.

What are dry eyes?

Dry eyes happen when you do not make enough tears or have poor quality tears, or both. This may damage your eyes if not well treated.

What are the possible causes of this condition?

Dry eyes can be caused by aging, defects in the eyelids or cornea (the clear covering on your eye that acts like a windshield), or medical conditions such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis (a type of immune-related condition affecting your joints), thyroid disorders or Sjogren’s syndrome (a type of autoimmune disease). 

Other reasons that may be related to dry eyes include:

• Dry and windy environments
• Staring at the computer, tablet or phone screen for long durations
• Wearing contact lenses
• Certain eye surgeries
• Certain medications such as antihistamines (to treat runny nose)
• Smoking or exposure to smoke
• Diet low in vitamin A, vitamin D and/or Omega-3

What are the symptoms of dry eyes?

Symptoms can include the following:

• Dryness and irritation
• Burning or stinging feeling of the eyes
• Foreign body sensation (e.g. feeling like there is sand or dirt in the eyes)
• Tired eyes
• Blurry vision
• Tearing too much
• Being more sensitive to light

What can I do to treat dry eyes?

Eye lubricants can be used to relieve dry eyes. You can approach your pharmacist to get the following medications. 

• Lubricant eye drops help to lubricate the eyes and maintain moisture on the surface of the eyes. They are also known as artificial tears. There are a variety of lubricant eye drops available. Different lubricant eye drops vary in their contents, thickness, and presence of preservatives. Common examples of ingredients used in these eye drops include hypromellose, hydroxymethylcellulose and dextran. Preservative-free eye drops are recommended for people who need to use eye drops more than four times a day. 
• Lubricant eye ointments are thicker and tend to lubricate the eye for a longer time, providing a more long-lasting effect. They are usually used at bedtime as they are more likely to cause blurring of vision for a short period. 

When do I need to see a doctor?

Although dry eyes can be treated without a doctor’s consultation, there are times where the condition might be more serious. 

If your condition does not get better or gets worse, you should see a doctor. You should also see a doctor if you experience any of the following:

• Swollen or painful eyes
• Presence of pus or discharge from the eye
• Changes in vision
• Persistent redness and irritation
• Presence of other symptoms such as dry mouth
• Only one eye is affected
• Feel something in your eye even after washing it out

What else can I do to manage this condition?

Other than using medications to treat the condition, dry eyes can also be managed by the following methods:

• Use a humidifier in air-conditioned rooms or reduce fan speeds
• Protect eyes from drying winds by putting on wrap-around glasses when outdoors
• Reduce staring at the computer, tablet or phone screen for long durations and take frequent eye breaks 
• Blinking for a few seconds can help spread tears in the eyes
• Avoid wearing contact lenses for long periods of time
• Apply a warm towel over the eyes  
• Eat more food containing Omega-3, such as fatty fish, walnuts, soybeans 
• Limit exposure to second-hand smoke

Disclaimers

This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.

 The content above is solely for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. You should not use the information for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or supplement, or adopting any treatment for a health problem.