With thanks to Good Hope Hospital

Normally eyes are covered with a thin invisible film of tears, the tears are the lubricating 'oil' of the eye surface.

Dry eyes  is a common problem as people get older, and in diabetes. The eyes may feel scratchy or gritty, as though there is something in them. They also be a little itchy, and they may be red. They may feel as though they are burning.

As you get older your tears may stop spreading properly, and this causes the same problems as 'dry eyes'.
If you have poorly spreading tears the tears do not spread evenly over the eyes' surface, and your eyes feels sore and irritable, as though there is something in them. This is the same feeling as if they were dry.

Tears may stop spreading properly if you have blepharitis or are on medication, adding to natural aging problems. See animation.

Signs and symptoms

• Gritty, scratchy or foreign body sensation
• Itching
• Burning
• Discomfort or pain
   

Dry eye syndrome is a chronic lack of sufficient lubrication and moisture in the eye. Its consequences extend from subtle but constant irritation to ocular inflammation of the anterior (front) tissues of the eye. The tears do not spread evenly over the eyes' surface, and the eyes feels sore.

Tears are normally made in the lacrimal gland, and flow over the surface of the eye. They run down tiny tear ducts into the nose.

Tears bathe the eye, cleaning out dust and debris and keeping the eye moist. Dry eye is the most common complaint among contact lens wearers. Recent research indicates that contact lens wear and dry eyes can be a vicious cycle. Dry eye syndrome makes contact lenses feel uncomfortable, yet the rubbing of the lenses against the conjunctiva seems to be a cause of dry eyes.

Incomplete closure of the eyelids, eyelid disease and a deficiency of the tear-producing glands are other causes. Dry eye syndrome is more common in women, possibly due to hormone fluctuations. Recent research suggests that smoking and taking multivitamins can increase your risk of dry eye syndrome.

 What makes dry eyes more uncomfortable?

Your eyes may feel more sore in the wind, or any dry hot atmosphere.

Contact lenses, or any thing that reduces blinking may make 'dry eyes' more uncomfortable, such as watching TV or a computer screen, or sewing.

If you have sore eyes using a computer screen you should take regular breaks whilst using the computer...eg 5 minutes away from the screen every 30 minutes, with a longer rest every 2 hours and a longer lunch break.  With regular breaks your eyes should be less dry and more comfortable.

What Can You Do About Dry Eyes?
Dry eye syndrome is an ongoing condition that cannot be cured, but the accompanying dryness, scratching and burning can be managed. Your Optometrist or eye specialist may prescribe artificial tears, lubricating eye drops that may alleviate the dry, scratching feeling.

To make your eyes comfortable you need to replenish the natural tear film that protects the surface of your eyes. There is no magic 'cure'.
Different types of products are available, and all are harmless: they do not contain any drugs, merely 'oiling' the surface of the eye. If you have very dry eyes, you need drops without preservatives, and may need plugs.
Try the different products out. Your doctor can prescribe the products, and they can also be bought at pharmacies without a prescription.

Treating the underlying eyelid disease helps as well. This may call for antibiotic or steroid drops plus frequent eyelid scrubs with an antibacterial shampoo. 

With thanks to Good Hope Hospital -
see their web site for more detailed information