Dry Eye Syndrome

Some people notice they get a clicking sound when they blink, and this may get worse if they have dry eyes. It typically happens when trapped tears get released when you blink, and it's not usually something to worry about. But it's still worth getting an optometrist to have a look, as it could be a sign of other issues.

Most people don't need sleep goggles to treat dry eyes ‑ simpler treatments such as eye drops for dry eyes, compresses or eye wipes can usually help the problem. But if your dry eyes are particularly bothering you, then sleep goggles might be beneficial. They are designed to reduce the amount of tears your eyes lose during sleep. Check with an optometrist before buying a pair and only purchase them from trusted retailers.

Dry eye can be temporary or chronic (long‑lasting), but if you’ve had it once, you’ll likely get it again at some point. Often, it can come and go in certain situations and throughout your life.

Yes, drinking water can help treat dry eyes. When you’re dehydrated, your body tries to keep as much fluid in the body, so your eyes and mouth can feel dry. So it’s important you try to keep hydrated so that your body can properly produce the tears your eyes need to stay healthy.

Consuming alcohol can dehydrate your body and may therefore reduce the volume of tears your eyes produce. When there is not enough fluid to lubricate the eye, you might experience symptoms of dry eye as a result. Alongside lubricating your eyes, tears help protect your eyes against infection and foreign objects, such as dust particles. 

The difficulty in opening your eye might be a separate problem from your dry eyes. For dry eyes, we would recommend using eye drops during the day, and a thicker, gel‑like drop before you go to bed to help keep the cornea as moist as possible while you sleep. The problem with your eyelid is possibly due to a weakness in the muscle that elevates the lid. The cause may be difficult to determine, but it may be due to a growth in the eyelid, such as a stye, a medical problem, a nerve injury or part of the normal ageing process. Although it's a nuisance, it's not usually a serious problem and should be evaluated by your optometrist.

At Specsavers, our optometrists recommend various treatments for dry eye syndrome depending on the underlying cause and how serious your symptoms are. Often, we'll start with simpler treatments such as using a warm or cold compress for dry eyes, an eye drop or eye gel for dry eyes, or antibacterial cleansing wipes. If the problem doesn't go away, we may recommend more advanced treatments, such as plugging your tear duct.

Yes, unfortunately dry eye syndrome does tend to get worse with age. This can be for a few different reasons. Hormonal changes during menopause can affect women's tear production. More generally, our tear ducts produce fewer tears as we get older, and they may be of a lower quality.

Tears play a key role in keeping your eyes healthy. They moisturise the surface, help protect against infection, clear away debris and keep your vision clear. A normal tear film has three layers: the mucin layer, which helps tears stick to the eye; the aqueous (water) layer, which nourishes and protects; and the lipid (oily) layer, which stops the tears from evaporating. If any of these layers aren’t working properly, it can upset the balance of your tear film. For example, if the oily layer is reduced, your tears may dry out too fast. If there’s less of the watery layer, you won’t produce enough tears to keep your eyes comfortable. 

Dry eyes and headaches often show up at the same time, but it’s still not clear whether one causes the other, or if they’re both symptoms of something else. Studies suggest that people who get headaches or migraines are more likely to have dry eyes too. But there’s still more research needed to fully understand the link. One likely connection is screen time. Both dry eyes and headaches are common signs of digital eye strain. With so many of us using screens every day, it’s no surprise these symptoms often come as a pair.