Dry eye is a common eye condition that occurs when the eyes do not produce enough tears or when tears evaporate too quickly or do not provide adequate protection to the eye surface. It can cause burning, irritation, redness, a gritty sensation, excessive watering and fluctuating or blurred vision. For some people, dry eye is occasional and linked to screen use, air conditioning, contact lenses or environmental conditions. For others, persistent symptoms may be associated with meibomian gland dysfunction, eyelid inflammation, certain medications, hormonal changes, diabetes, autoimmune conditions or previous eye surgery.  

At Vasan Eye & Multispeciality Day Surgical Center, Dubai, dry eye evaluation focuses on identifying the reason behind the symptoms rather than simply providing temporary relief. A detailed eye examination and appropriate tear-film assessment can help determine the most suitable management approach.

What Is Dry Eye?

Dry eye, also called dry eye disease or dry eye syndrome, develops when the tear film covering the eye becomes insufficient or unstable. A healthy tear film keeps the surface of the eye smooth, lubricated and protected. It also contributes to clear vision. When the tear film becomes unstable, the eye surface can become irritated and vision may fluctuate.   Dry eye does not always mean that the eyes produce no tears. Some people with dry eye experience excessive watering because irritation triggers reflex tearing. However, these tears may not adequately restore a stable tear film.

Dry Eye Symptoms

Dry eye symptoms can range from mild irritation to persistent discomfort that interferes with reading, computer work, driving or daily activities.

Common dry eye symptoms include:

• Dry or scratchy eyes
• Burning or stinging
• Eye irritation
• A gritty or sandy sensation
• Feeling as though something is stuck in the eye
• Red eyes
• Excessive watering
• Sensitivity to light
• Blurred or fluctuating vision
• Eye fatigue
• Heavy-feeling eyelids
• Difficulty wearing contact lenses
• Discomfort after prolonged screen use

Symptoms may become more noticeable in air-conditioned environments, during long periods of screen use or when exposed to wind, dust and dry air.  

Can Dry Eyes Cause Blurred Vision?

Yes. An unstable tear film can temporarily affect the smooth optical surface of the eye, causing blurred or fluctuating vision. Vision may become clearer after blinking and then become blurry again. Persistent blurred vision should not automatically be attributed to dry eyes, however. An eye examination is important to rule out other causes of vision changes.

What Causes Dry Eyes?

There is no single cause of dry eye. It can develop because the eyes produce too few tears, tears evaporate too quickly, or the tear film does not function properly.

Reduced Tear Production

The lacrimal glands may not produce enough tears to maintain a healthy tear film. Reduced tear production becomes more common with age and can also occur with certain medical conditions or medications.  

Excessive Tear Evaporation

Tears can evaporate too quickly when the tear film does not contain enough of its protective oily component. Problems involving the meibomian glands in the eyelids can contribute to this form of dry eye.

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

The meibomian glands produce oils that help prevent tears from evaporating too quickly. When these glands become blocked or dysfunctional, the tear film can become unstable, resulting in dryness, burning, redness, irritation. fluctuating vision, and increased evaporation of tears. Identifying eyelid and meibomian gland problems can therefore be an important part of a dry eye assessment.

Screen Use and Reduced Blinking

Long periods spent looking at computers, tablets and smartphones can reduce the frequency or completeness of blinking. This can allow tears to evaporate more quickly and contribute to eye dryness and irritation.  

Air Conditioning, Heat and Dry Weather

Environmental conditions can make dry eye symptoms worse. Air conditioning, dry air, wind, smoke and dust can increase tear evaporation and ocular surface irritation. This can be particularly relevant for people spending long periods in air-conditioned offices or moving between heavily air-conditioned indoor environments and Dubai’s hot, dry outdoor conditions.

Contact Lens Wear

Contact lenses can contribute to dryness or make existing dry eye symptoms more noticeable. People who experience persistent discomfort while wearing lenses may benefit from an eye examination to identify the underlying problem.

Medications

Some medicines can contribute to dry eye symptoms, including certain medications used for allergies, colds, depression and high blood pressure. Do not stop a prescribed medicine without discussing it with the doctor who prescribed it.

Age and Hormonal Changes

Dry eye becomes more common with age. Hormonal changes can also affect tear production and the ocular surface.  

Medical Conditions

Dry eye can sometimes occur alongside conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, sjögren syndrome, other autoimmune diseases and eyelid inflammation. In these situations, treating or managing the underlying condition may form part of the overall approach to dry eye.  

Dry Eyes After LASIK or Other Eye Surgery

Some people experience dry eyes after laser vision correction or other eye procedures. Post-surgical dryness may improve with time, but persistent symptoms should be assessed by an ophthalmologist.  

Types of Dry Eye

Dry eye can involve different mechanisms, and more than one factor may contribute to the same person’s symptoms.

Aqueous-Deficient Dry Eye: This occurs when the eyes do not produce enough of the watery component of tears.

Evaporative Dry Eye: This occurs when tears evaporate too quickly from the eye surface, often because of problems affecting the oily layer of the tear film.

Mixed Dry Eye: Many patients have a combination of reduced tear production and excessive evaporation.

Understanding the type and contributing factors helps the ophthalmologist choose an appropriate treatment strategy.

How Is Dry Eye Diagnosed?

A dry eye diagnosis is based on the patient’s symptoms, medical and eye history, examination of the ocular surface and appropriate tear-film testing. There is no single test that explains every case of dry eye.  

Eye Examination: The ophthalmologist examines the eyelids and eyelid margins, cornea, conjunctiva, tear film, blinking pattern and ocular surface. This helps identify visible signs of dryness, inflammation or eyelid-related problems.

Tear Break-Up Time Test: Tear break-up time (TBUT) assesses how long the tear film remains stable after blinking. A dye may be used to make the tear film visible while the doctor observes how quickly dry areas develop. A shorter tear-film break-up time can indicate tear-film instability.  

Schirmer’s Test: A Schirmer’s test measures tear production. A small strip of paper is placed along the edge of the lower eyelid, and the amount of moisture produced over a specified period is assessed.  

Assessment of the Eyelids and Meibomian Glands: The eyelids and meibomian glands may be examined to determine whether blocked or dysfunctional glands are contributing to evaporative dry eye.

Dry Eye Treatment

There is no single best treatment for dry eye for every patient. Treatment depends on the cause, severity, tear-film condition and other factors identified during the eye examination. The goal is to restore ocular surface comfort, improve tear-film stability and address the factors contributing to the condition.

At Vasan Eye & Multispeciality DSC, treatment focuses on identifying what is causing the dryness rather than relying only on temporary symptom relief. A detailed assessment may include evaluation of the tear film, ocular surface and meibomian glands to determine whether the eyes are producing too few tears, losing tears too quickly or producing poor-quality tears.

Treatment Options for Dry Eyes

Eye Drops for Dry Eyes

Artificial tears and specialised eye drops can replenish moisture and relieve symptoms such as burning, irritation, grittiness and fluctuating vision. Preservative-free eye drops may be recommended for patients who need frequent lubrication.

Prescription Eye Drops

Prescription eye drops may be used when dry eye is associated with ongoing ocular surface inflammation or inadequate tear production. The medication and treatment duration are selected according to the underlying cause and severity.

Oral Medication

In some patients, oral medication may be recommended when dry eye is associated with eyelid inflammation or meibomian gland dysfunction. An ophthalmologist will determine whether medication is appropriate based on the eye examination.

Warm Compresses & Eyelid Hygiene

Warm compresses can help soften thickened oils within blocked meibomian glands and support healthier tear-film function. Regular eyelid hygiene may also help reduce eyelid-margin irritation and gland blockage.

Dietary Supplements

Certain dietary supplements may be recommended as part of a broader dry eye treatment plan. Their use depends on the patient’s nutritional needs, symptoms and overall eye health.

Manual Meibomian Gland Expression

When blocked meibomian glands contribute to dry eye syndrome, an ophthalmologist may manually express the glands to release trapped oils. This can help improve the oily layer of the tear film and reduce excessive tear evaporation.

Heat Treatment for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

Advanced thermal treatments such as LipiFlow® use controlled heat and pressure to help clear blocked meibomian glands. This may be considered for patients with evaporative dry eye associated with meibomian gland dysfunction.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) for Dry Eye

IPL for dry eye may be considered for selected patients with meibomian gland dysfunction and inflammation around the eyelids. Controlled light therapy can help reduce inflammation and support healthier meibomian gland function.

Punctal Plugs

Punctal plugs are tiny devices placed in the tear drainage openings to help keep natural tears on the surface of the eye for longer. Depending on the patient’s needs, they may be dissolvable, semi-permanent or permanent.

Amniotic Membrane Therapy

Amniotic membrane therapy may be considered for selected patients with significant ocular surface damage or severe dry eye. The membrane provides a protective environment that can support healing of the ocular surface.

Minor Surgical Procedures

When conventional dry eye treatment does not provide sufficient relief, selected patients may benefit from minor procedures designed to improve tear retention or manage specific abnormalities affecting the ocular surface or eyelids.

How to Help Dry Eyes at Home

Simple changes can reduce exposure to common dry-eye triggers and complement medical treatment.

• Reduce Prolonged Screen Exposure: Follow regular screen breaks and consciously blink fully while using computers and mobile devices.
• Manage Air Conditioning: Avoid directing air-conditioning vents directly toward the eyes. A humidifier may also help in very dry indoor environments.  
• Protect Your Eyes Outdoors: Wraparound sunglasses can help reduce exposure to wind and environmental conditions that accelerate tear evaporation.   
• Stay Hydrated and Sleep Well: Adequate hydration and sufficient sleep can support general eye comfort, although persistent dry eye should not be managed through lifestyle measures alone when symptoms continue.
• Avoid Self-Medicating Persistent Symptoms: Artificial tears may provide temporary relief, but repeatedly treating symptoms without identifying the underlying cause can delay appropriate management.

Can Dry Eyes Be Cured Permanently?

The answer depends on what is causing the dry eye. Some cases improve significantly when the trigger is identified and managed. Others are chronic conditions that require ongoing treatment and maintenance. The objective is usually long-term control of symptoms and protection of the ocular surface rather than promising a permanent cure. If symptoms continue despite using eye drops, the underlying cause should be reassessed.

When Should You See an Eye Doctor for Dry Eyes?

Occasional dryness may improve after removing the trigger. However, you should consider an eye examination if you have:

• Persistent dry or irritated eyes
• Recurrent redness
• Frequent burning or stinging
• Ongoing gritty or scratchy sensations
• Repeated episodes of blurred or fluctuating vision
• Difficulty wearing contact lenses
• Symptoms that interfere with work, reading or driving
• Dry eye symptoms that do not improve with lubricating drops

Severe eye pain, a significant change in vision, marked redness or sudden visual symptoms require prompt medical assessment.  

Dry Eyes in Dubai: Why the Environment Matters

Dubai’s climate and widespread use of air conditioning can create conditions that aggravate dry eye symptoms. Long periods in air-conditioned offices, prolonged digital-screen use, outdoor heat, wind and dust can all increase ocular surface stress or tear evaporation. However, environmental exposure is not necessarily the underlying cause. If dryness is persistent, an ophthalmologist should assess whether tear-production problems, meibomian gland dysfunction, eyelid inflammation, contact lens use, medication or another condition is contributing.

Dry Eye Treatment at Vasan Eye & Multispeciality DSC, Dubai

At Vasan Eye & Multispeciality Day Surgical Center, dry eye care begins with understanding the patient’s symptoms and identifying the factors affecting the tear film and ocular surface.

The assessment may consider:

• Symptoms and their duration
• Screen exposure and environmental triggers
• Contact lens use
• Previous eye procedures
• Medications and relevant medical history
• Tear production
• Tear-film stability
• Eyelid and meibomian gland health
• Ocular surface condition

Treatment can then be tailored according to the severity and cause of the dry eye rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dry Eyes

1. What is the main cause of dry eyes?

Dry eye can result from insufficient tear production, excessive tear evaporation or an unstable tear film. Age, medications, screen use, contact lenses, eyelid problems, environmental conditions and certain medical conditions can contribute.  

2. What are the most common dry eye symptoms?

The most common symptoms include dryness, burning, stinging, gritty or scratchy sensations, redness, light sensitivity and blurred or fluctuating vision. Some people also experience excessive watering.  

3. Which eye drops are best for dry eyes?

Artificial tears are commonly used for mild dry eye, but the appropriate formulation depends on the individual’s symptoms and how frequently the drops are required. Preservative-free tears may be preferred when drops are used frequently.   

4. Can dry eyes cause blurry vision?

Yes. An unstable tear film can cause temporary blurred or fluctuating vision, particularly during activities such as reading or screen use. Persistent or sudden vision changes should be assessed by an eye doctor.

5. Can I treat dry eyes at home?

Mild symptoms may improve with measures such as reducing screen strain, taking regular breaks, avoiding direct air-conditioning airflow, protecting the eyes from wind and using appropriate lubricating drops. Persistent symptoms require professional assessment.

6. Can dry eyes happen after LASIK?

Yes. Dry eye symptoms can occur following laser eye surgery. While they may improve, persistent symptoms should be discussed with an ophthalmologist.  

7. Are dry eyes and excessive watering related?

They can be. Irritation caused by an unstable tear film can trigger reflex tearing. Therefore, an eye that waters frequently can still have an underlying dry-eye problem.

8. Is dry eye a permanent condition?

Not necessarily. Some cases improve when the underlying trigger is addressed, while others are chronic and require ongoing management. Treatment is tailored to the cause and severity.

Dry eye is more than simply not having enough tears. It is a problem involving the tear film and ocular surface and can result from reduced tear production, excessive evaporation or several contributing factors acting together. If dryness, burning, irritation or fluctuating vision keeps returning, repeatedly using eye drops may not address the underlying problem. A proper dry eye evaluation can help identify the cause and guide appropriate treatment.