You know that uncomfortable, gritty feeling in your eyes after a long day on your laptop or sitting in an air-conditioned office? That could be dry eye syndrome, a common condition affecting many South Africans today.
Dry eye happens when your eyes don’t produce enough tears, or when the tears aren’t of good quality to properly lubricate the eye’s surface. It’s more than just irritation, it can impact your vision and overall eye health if left untreated.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through what dry eye is, what causes it, the symptoms to look out for, and what you can do to find relief.
Understanding Your Tear Film
Your eyes rely on a delicate system called the tear film to stay comfortable and clear. According to the National Eye Institute, dry eye happens when the tears don’t do their job properly. This tear film has three important layers:
- Lipid layer (oil layer): Produced by the meibomian glands, it prevents tears from evaporating too quickly
- Aqueous layer (watery layer): Created by the lacrimal glands, it hydrates and nourishes the eye
- Mucus layer: Helps spread tears evenly across the corneal surface
When any of these layers are disrupted, your tear quality suffers, and dry eye can develop.
There are two main types of dry eye syndrome:
- Evaporative dry eye, often caused by meibomian gland dysfunction, where tears evaporate too quickly
- Aqueous tear deficiency, when your eyes don’t produce enough of the watery layer
Both types affect the eye’s surface and can lead to discomfort and blurred vision.
Signs and Symptoms of Dry Eye
Dry eye symptoms can vary from mild irritation to more severe discomfort. Common signs include:
- A scratchy or gritty sensation
- Burning or stinging eyes
- Blurred vision, especially during screen use
- Watery eyes (a surprising reflex response to dryness)
- Redness and sensitivity to wind or smoke
- Discomfort when wearing contact lenses
It might seem confusing, but watery eyes can actually be a sign of dry eye. When your eyes become too dry, they may overproduce tears as a reaction, but these tears lack the right composition to provide lasting relief.
If left untreated, symptoms can worsen over time and begin to affect your daily activities. For more on how dry eye connects to wider eye concerns, our guide on common vision problems and how to address them is a useful read.
What Causes Dry Eye?
Dry eye syndrome has several causes, and often it’s a combination of factors.
Common risk factors include:
- Ageing: Tear production naturally decreases with age
- Hormonal changes: Especially in post-menopausal women
- Screen time: Reduced blinking leads to increased tear evaporation
- Environmental factors: Dry climates, wind, air conditioning, and smoke
- Contact lens use: Can disrupt the tear film (see our guide comparing contact lenses and glasses)
- Certain medications: Including antihistamines, blood pressure medicines, antidepressants, and decongestants
- Medical conditions: Such as rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disease, Sjögren’s syndrome, and lupus
- Refractive surgery: Procedures like LASIK can contribute to dryness
The Mayo Clinic notes that tear deficiency is more common in women, particularly during hormonal shifts. Prolonged screen use also reduces how often you blink, which speeds up tear evaporation. Our guide to blue light glasses covers how to protect your eyes during long screen sessions.
In South Africa, especially in areas like the Highveld, dry air and heavy reliance on indoor cooling systems can make symptoms more noticeable. Add long hours on digital devices, and it’s easy to see why dry eye is becoming more common.
How Is Dry Eye Diagnosed?
A proper diagnosis starts with a comprehensive eye exam by an optometrist.
During your visit, your eye care professional may perform:
- A slit lamp examination to assess the eye’s surface
- A Schirmer’s test to measure tear production
- A tear breakup time test to evaluate tear stability
- Fluorescein staining to check for damage on the corneal surface
They’ll also review your medical history, lifestyle, and any medications you’re taking to identify underlying causes.
Early diagnosis is important. If dry eye is left untreated, it can lead to complications such as eye infections or even damage to the corneal surface.
Treatment and Management Options
The good news? Dry eye syndrome is very manageable with the right approach.
At-home treatments
- Artificial tears or eye drops to lubricate the eyes
- Warm compresses to support meibomian gland function
- Lid scrubs to maintain eyelid hygiene
- Following the 20-20-20 rule during screen time
- Staying hydrated
- Using a humidifier in dry environments
Professional treatments
- Prescription eye drops to reduce inflammation or stimulate tear production
- Punctal plugs (tiny silicone devices placed in tear ducts to retain moisture)
- Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy for meibomian gland dysfunction
- Tailored treatment plans based on the underlying cause
When to seek help
- If symptoms persist despite using eye drops
- If your vision is affected
- If you experience pain or signs of infection
Managing dry eye is not about a one-size-fits-all solution. The key is identifying the cause and treating it effectively.
Book an eye test
Don’t wait, secure your appointment now and see the world in a whole new way. Book your eye test today!
Book an Eye Test at Vision Works
If you’re experiencing symptoms of dry eye syndrome, don’t ignore them. Early intervention can make a significant difference to your comfort and long-term eye health. At Vision Works, experienced optometrists will assess your tear film and identify the root cause of your dry eye, so they can recommend a personalised treatment plan.
With stores conveniently located across South Africa, including Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, and Gqeberha, help is always close by. Whether you’ve been noticing symptoms for a while or they’ve recently started to affect your day, getting an expert opinion is the best way forward.
Book your eye test today and take the first step toward clearer, more comfortable vision.
