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📅 AUDIOPTICA LUXSO BLOG · ⏱ 10 min read
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A gritty feeling. Itching. Burning. Red eyes by the end of the day. Blurry vision that clears when you blink. Tired eyes after hours at the computer. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone: more than 100 million people worldwide have dry eye syndrome, and the number keeps growing. Screens, air conditioning, heating, the dry Mediterranean air and an ageing population have all pushed cases up in recent years.
Surprisingly, many people with dry eyes have watery eyes. And many live with the symptoms for years, thinking it's "normal" or that pharmacy drops are enough. Dry eye is a real condition with different types, causes and treatments – and when properly diagnosed, it can be controlled very well.
What is dry eye syndrome?
Dry eye disease is a chronic condition of the tear film and the eye surface. In simple terms, your eyes can't stay properly lubricated – because they don't make enough tears, the tears are poor quality, or they evaporate too quickly.
The tear film has three layers
- Mucin layer (inner): helps tears stick to the cornea.
- Aqueous layer (middle): hydrates and nourishes.
- Lipid layer (outer): produced by the meibomian glands in the eyelids; stops tears evaporating.
If any layer fails, the balance breaks. Each type of failure needs a different treatment – which is why an accurate diagnosis matters.
Types of dry eye
1. Evaporative dry eye (the most common)
More than 80% of cases. Tear volume is normal, but tears evaporate too fast because the protective oily layer is deficient – usually due to meibomian gland dysfunction (blocked or underperforming glands at the edge of the eyelids).
2. Aqueous-deficient dry eye
The tear glands don't produce enough tears. Common causes include ageing, Sjögren's syndrome and other autoimmune conditions, some medications, and laser eye surgery (LASIK).
3. Mixed dry eye
Both problems at once – very common in practice.
4. Neurotrophic dry eye
The corneal nerves don't work properly, so tear regulation is disrupted. Less common, but it can cause intense symptoms.
Symptoms
- Gritty or foreign-body sensation.
- Itching, stinging or burning.
- Red, irritated eyes.
- Sensitivity to light.
- Blurry vision that improves when you blink.
- Tired, heavy eyes at the end of the day.
- Watery eyes – irritated eyes produce "reflex" tears that run down your cheek but don't lubricate.
- Crusty or stuck eyelids in the morning.
- Contact lenses that suddenly feel uncomfortable.
Symptoms usually get worse with air conditioning or heating, wind, long screen sessions, pollen, smoke and towards the end of the day.
Who is most at risk?
- Age and hormones: over 50s, women (especially after menopause), pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Habits and environment: heavy screen use (blinking drops by up to 60%), air-conditioned rooms, smoking, long contact lens wear, dry and windy coastal climates, poor eyelid hygiene.
- Medical factors: autoimmune conditions, diabetes, thyroid problems, rosacea, chronic blepharitis, laser eye surgery and cataract surgery.
- Medications: antihistamines, antidepressants, beta-blockers, diuretics, hormonal treatments, isotretinoin and long-term use of preserved eye drops. Never stop a medication without speaking to your doctor.
Why screens make it worse
We normally blink 15–20 times a minute; when concentrating on a screen, that drops to 5–7. Each blink spreads the tear film and gently squeezes the meibomian glands. Blink less, and tears evaporate, glands block and inflammation sets in. If you spend hours on screens and notice symptoms, act early – dry eye is much easier to treat at the start.
How we assess dry eye
- Detailed consultation – symptoms, habits, medication and history, plus the validated OSDI questionnaire.
- Slit-lamp examination of the cornea, conjunctiva, eyelids and tear meniscus.
- Tear film tests – tear production (Schirmer), tear stability (break-up time) and surface staining.
- Identifying your type of dry eye to design the right plan.
- Referral to an ophthalmologist when needed.
Treatments that work
Step 1: habits and environment
- The 20-20-20 rule with screens and conscious, complete blinking.
- Stay hydrated; use a humidifier in air-conditioned rooms.
- Avoid air blowing directly at your face; avoid smoke.
- A diet rich in omega-3 (oily fish, flaxseed, walnuts).
- Daily eyelid hygiene, warm compresses and eyelid massage – especially for evaporative dry eye.
Step 2: artificial tears
Not all drops are the same. Preservative-free drops are essential if you use them more than 3–4 times a day. Formulas with hyaluronic acid, trehalose or lipids suit different types of dry eye – we'll recommend the right one for you.
Step 3: advanced treatments (ophthalmologist)
Anti-inflammatory drops, punctal plugs, autologous serum drops, intense pulsed light (IPL) or thermal pulsation for the meibomian glands, and in rare cases surgery.
Step 4: treating the underlying cause
When dry eye is linked to another condition or medication, managing that cause also improves the eyes.
Myths
- "My eyes water, so they can't be dry." False – watery eyes are a classic dry eye symptom.
- "Any artificial tear will do." False – formulas differ a lot, and preserved drops can make things worse with frequent use.
- "Dry eye isn't serious." Usually mild, but severe untreated cases can damage the cornea.
- "One eye drop will cure it." Dry eye is chronic: it is controlled, not cured.
- "If it doesn't bother me much, I don't need treatment." It tends to progress; early care prevents it becoming chronic.
What we offer at Audioptica Luxso
- Full assessment of the tear film and eye surface.
- Identification of your dry eye type.
- Personalised artificial tear recommendations, with no sales pressure.
- Advice on eyelid hygiene, warm compresses and screen ergonomics.
- Regular follow-up and coordination with ophthalmologists.
- Contact lens fitting for dry-eye patients who want to keep wearing them.
Dry eye won't fix itself
If you've had grittiness, burning, watering or tired eyes for weeks or months, don't accept it as inevitable. A professional assessment can identify your type of dry eye and the right plan for you. At our Dénia centre we speak English.
Visit us in Dénia
📍 Audioptica Luxso Dénia — Calle Diana, 35 · English spoken
📞 Opticians: +34 692 609 299 · Hearing care: +34 685 082 459
🕐 Mon 10:00–14:00 · Tue–Fri 10:00–14:00 and 17:00–20:00 · Sat 10:00–14:00