What causes dry eye?
Tears have oil, water and mucus layers. In aqueous-deficient dry eye the glands make too little water; in the more common evaporative type, clogged meibomian glands in the eyelids thin the oil layer so tears evaporate fast (Craig et al., 2017). Staring at screens can cut your blink rate in half, which overlaps with computer vision syndrome. Oddly, watery eyes can be a symptom too.
How can I relieve dry eye?
If you use drops more than 4–6 times a day, choose preservative-free artificial tears. Warm compresses for 5–10 minutes and lid hygiene help meibomian gland dysfunction. Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Persistent cases may need prescription drops like cyclosporine or lifitegrast. Heavy discharge may signal pink eye instead.
This article is general health information and is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment. If symptoms persist, see a doctor.
FAQ
- Can I overuse eye drops?
- Preservative-free drops are fine to use often; avoid redness-relief drops, which can cause rebound redness.
- Does LASIK cause dry eye?
- Often temporarily, because corneal nerves are cut; most people improve within months.
Sources reviewed: 2026-10-25
References
- Craig, J. P., et al. (2017). TFOS DEWS II definition and classification report. The Ocular Surface, 15(3), 276–283.