WHY DO DRY EYES OCCUR?
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
GETTING ADVICE
LOOKING AFTER YOUR EYES
This short NHS video explains why your eye health is important and also provides handy lifestyle information on how to look after your eyes better.
TREATING DRY EYES
The exact treatment for dry eye syndrome depends on whether symptoms are caused by: Decreased production of tears, tears that evaporate too quickly or an underlying condition.
LUBRICANT TREATMENTS
Mild to moderate cases of dry eye syndrome can usually be treated using lubricant eye treatments that consist of a range of drops, gels and ointments.
ANTI-INFLAMATORY TREATMENTS
The underlying problem with long-term dry eye syndrome is inflammation in and around the eye. It is often possible to prescribe anti-inflammatory treatments, but these can only be obtained after you’ve seen an ophthalmologist.
SURGERY
If your dry eyes are severe and fail to respond to other forms of treatment, surgery may be an option. Two types of surgery sometimes used to treat dry eye syndrome are Punctual Occlusion which involves using small plugs to seal your tear ducts. The other is Salivary gland autotransplantation which is an uncommon procedure and only recommended after all other treatment options have been tried.