Dry Eyes: Causes, Quick Relief, and When to Get Help

If your eyes sting, feel gritty, or go red every afternoon, you’re not overreacting. Dry eyes are common and annoying, but there’s a lot you can do right away to feel better. This page gives clear, practical steps you can try at home and explains when you should see a clinician.

What causes dry eyes?

Two main problems cause dry eyes: not enough tears and poor tear quality. Tear production drops with age, some health conditions, and certain meds (antihistamines, some antidepressants, diuretics). Another big cause is meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) — the oil glands at the edge of your eyelids stop working well, so tears evaporate fast. Environmental factors — air conditioning, heating, long screen time, low humidity — make symptoms worse.

Fast relief you can try now

Start simple. Use preservative-free artificial tears during the day; apply them before your eyes feel bad to prevent discomfort. For nighttime, an eye ointment can help if you wake up gritty. Try warm compresses for 5–10 minutes to loosen blocked oil glands, then gently massage the lids toward the lashes to push oil out. Blink breaks are huge: follow the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes look 20 feet away for 20 seconds) and deliberately blink a few times to spread tears evenly.

Control your environment: run a humidifier in dry rooms, avoid direct blowing from heaters or vents, and wear wraparound sunglasses outside to cut wind. If you wear contacts, give your eyes screen-free breaks and consider switching to daily disposables or glasses until symptoms improve.

Diet matters. Adding omega-3s from fish or supplements can help tear quality for some people. Drink water throughout the day — mild dehydration makes secretions thicker and less protective. Also check your meds with your provider; if a prescription is making your eyes dry, there may be alternatives.

If over-the-counter drops don’t help after a few weeks, book an eye exam. An eye doctor can check tear quantity, tear film quality, and your eyelids. Treatments they may suggest include prescription anti-inflammatory drops like cyclosporine or lifitegrast, in-office procedures for gland blockage (meibomian gland expression or thermal therapies), punctal plugs that reduce tear drainage, or targeted treatments like intense pulsed light (IPL) for severe MGD.

Watch for warning signs: sudden vision loss, intense pain, light sensitivity, or heavy discharge — seek urgent care. Otherwise, many people get steady relief by combining home habits with simple medical treatments.

Looking for more related reading? Check our posts like “How Ischemia Impacts Vision and Eye Health” for broader eye issues or browse the tag list for more articles on eye care and treatments. If you want a quick plan, try: artificial tears during the day, warm compresses twice daily, a humidifier at home, and a follow-up with an eye doctor if there’s no change in 2–4 weeks.