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Last updated: July 2026
Reviewed by the First Choice Vision Optometry Team
This article has been reviewed by the experienced optometry team at First Choice Vision to ensure it reflects current evidence-based recommendations and best practices in diagnosing and managing dry eye disease.
Dry eye disease is a common condition that occurs when your eyes do not produce enough healthy tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly. Although many people think dry eyes simply mean a lack of moisture, the condition is often more complex and can affect the quality of the tear film that protects the surface of the eye.
A healthy tear film is essential for keeping your eyes comfortable, maintaining clear vision and protecting the front surface of the eye. When this delicate balance is disrupted, everyday activities such as reading, driving, working on a computer or wearing contact lenses can become uncomfortable.
Dry eye disease can range from occasional mild irritation to persistent symptoms that affect quality of life. Fortunately, with the right diagnosis and personalised treatment, most people can achieve significant relief and better long-term eye comfort.
Many people assume occasional burning or watery eyes are simply caused by tiredness, ageing or spending too much time in front of a screen. While these factors can contribute, they may also be early signs of dry eye disease.
The condition affects millions of people worldwide and has become increasingly common as our lifestyles have changed. Longer hours using computers, smartphones and other digital devices, along with air conditioning, heating and environmental factors, all place greater demands on the tear film.
Dry eye disease can affect adults of any age, although it becomes more common as we get older. Hormonal changes, certain medications, contact lens wear and some medical conditions can also increase the risk.
The good news is that modern eye care offers many effective ways to diagnose and manage dry eye disease. The first step is identifying the underlying cause rather than simply treating the symptoms.
Many people try different eye drops for months or even years without understanding why their eyes feel dry or irritated.
However, dry eye disease is not the same for everyone.
Some people produce too few tears, while others have tears that evaporate too quickly because of problems with the oil-producing glands in their eyelids, known as the meibomian glands.
Identifying the underlying cause allows your optometrist to recommend the most appropriate treatment, helping improve comfort, protect the surface of the eye and reduce ongoing irritation.
At First Choice Vision, every dry eye assessment begins with a comprehensive eye examination to understand your symptoms, evaluate your tear film and develop a personalised management plan based on your individual needs.
Regular comprehensive eye examinations are important not only for detecting dry eye disease, but also for identifying other eye conditions before they begin affecting your vision. You may also enjoy reading our guide 10 Signs Your Child May Need an Eye Test: A Parent’s Guide, which explains why early eye examinations are so important for long-term eye health.
The symptoms of dry eye disease can vary from person to person. Some people experience only mild irritation, while others develop persistent discomfort that affects work, driving, reading and other daily activities.
Common symptoms include:
Symptoms often become worse after prolonged screen use, reading, driving, exposure to air conditioning, heating or windy environments.
Many people are surprised when their eyes constantly water despite being diagnosed with dry eye disease.
This happens because irritated eyes can produce reflex tears. These tears are released quickly in response to irritation, but they are different from healthy tears that normally keep the eye comfortable.
Reflex tears provide temporary moisture but do not contain the balanced mixture of water, oils and mucus needed to maintain a stable tear film. As a result, the eyes may continue to feel dry even while they are watering.
This is one of the reasons why excessive tearing can actually be a symptom of dry eye disease, rather than the opposite.
There is no single cause of dry eye disease. Instead, it usually develops because the tear film becomes unstable.
A healthy tear film has three important layers:
When one or more of these layers is disrupted, the tears become less effective, leading to irritation, inflammation and discomfort.
One of the leading causes of dry eye disease is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD).
The meibomian glands are tiny oil-producing glands located along the edges of the eyelids. Their job is to produce the oily layer of the tear film, which helps prevent tears from evaporating too quickly.
When these glands become blocked or stop functioning properly, the tear film becomes unstable and tears evaporate much faster than normal.
This condition is known as Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, or MGD, and is one of the most common causes of evaporative dry eye.
People with MGD may experience:
Because MGD develops gradually, many people assume these symptoms are simply part of ageing or screen use and do not seek professional advice until the discomfort becomes more noticeable.
Several factors can increase the risk of developing dry eye disease, including:
Having one or more of these risk factors does not necessarily mean you will develop dry eye disease, but they may increase your likelihood of experiencing symptoms.
Digital devices have become a normal part of everyday life, but spending long periods looking at screens can contribute to dry eye disease.
When concentrating on a computer, tablet or smartphone, most people blink less frequently and often blink incompletely. This means the tear film is not spread evenly across the eye, allowing tears to evaporate more quickly.
Long hours of screen use can therefore lead to symptoms such as:
A simple way to reduce digital eye strain is to follow the 20-20-20 Rule:
Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet (6 metres) away for at least 20 seconds.
Regular blinking and short breaks throughout the day can also help maintain a healthier tear film.
Not always.
Some people experience temporary dry eye symptoms due to environmental factors or short-term lifestyle changes.
Others develop chronic dry eye disease that requires ongoing management.
The good news is that, even when dry eye disease cannot be permanently cured, effective treatment can significantly improve comfort, vision and quality of life.
The key is identifying the underlying cause and creating a personalised treatment plan rather than relying on eye drops alone.
If your eyes feel dry after a day on the computer, don’t automatically assume it’s simply because you’ve been working hard. Persistent dryness, burning or watering may be signs of dry eye disease and are worth discussing with your optometrist.
Maintaining healthy eyes involves more than treating dry eye symptoms. Regular eye examinations are also important for detecting other vision and eye health conditions early. You can also read our guide on Myopia in Children: Signs, Causes and Myopia Control Options to learn how regular eye care supports lifelong vision.
Although many people try over-the-counter eye drops when their eyes feel dry, diagnosing dry eye disease involves much more than confirming that your eyes are dry.
The first step is identifying why your symptoms are occurring.
During a comprehensive eye examination, your optometrist will discuss:
Understanding your history helps determine whether your symptoms are related to dry eye disease, allergies, eyelid conditions or another eye problem.
A dry eye assessment may include examining:
At First Choice Vision, we tailor every assessment to the individual patient rather than recommending the same treatment for everyone.
Because dry eye disease has many possible causes, identifying the underlying problem is one of the most important parts of successful treatment.
Many people purchase lubricating eye drops expecting immediate and permanent relief.
While artificial tears can be very helpful, they do not treat every type of dry eye disease.
For example:
This is why identifying the underlying cause is so important before deciding on treatment.
There is no single treatment that works for everyone.
The most effective management plan depends on the cause and severity of your dry eye disease.
Your optometrist may recommend one or more of the following approaches.
Artificial tears are often the first treatment recommended for mild to moderate dry eye disease.
They help lubricate the surface of the eye and temporarily improve comfort.
However, not all artificial tears are the same.
Different products are designed for different types of dry eye, and choosing the most appropriate option depends on your individual symptoms and the health of your tear film.
Using the wrong eye drops may provide only limited relief, which is why professional advice is valuable.
Warm compresses are commonly recommended for people with Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD).
Applying gentle warmth to the eyelids may help soften thickened oils within the glands, improving their function and reducing tear evaporation.
For best results, warm compresses should be used consistently and according to your optometrist’s recommendations.
Keeping the eyelids clean is another important part of managing some forms of dry eye disease.
Gentle eyelid cleansing may help remove debris, reduce inflammation and improve the function of the meibomian glands.
Your optometrist can recommend suitable eyelid hygiene products if they are appropriate for your condition.
Simple lifestyle changes often play an important role in improving dry eye symptoms.
These may include:
Although these changes may not eliminate dry eye disease, they often improve comfort and reduce symptom flare-ups.
Many people ask whether Omega-3 fatty acid supplements improve dry eye disease.
The scientific evidence is mixed.
Some studies have reported improvements in symptoms for certain patients, while others have shown little or no significant benefit.
For this reason, Omega-3 supplements should not be viewed as a universal solution for dry eye disease.
If you are considering supplements, discuss them with your optometrist or healthcare professional to determine whether they are appropriate for your individual circumstances.
Some patients with moderate to severe dry eye disease may require prescription treatments.
Depending on the underlying cause, your optometrist may work with your general practitioner or ophthalmologist when additional medical treatment is required.
The most appropriate management plan depends on the severity of the condition, associated inflammation and the patient’s overall eye health.
One of the biggest misconceptions about dry eye disease is that everyone should receive the same treatment.
In reality, two people with similar symptoms may have completely different underlying causes.
For example:
Because of these differences, successful treatment begins with an accurate diagnosis rather than simply recommending eye drops.
At First Choice Vision, we believe every patient deserves a personalised management plan based on a comprehensive assessment and the latest evidence-based recommendations.
If you’ve been using artificial tears for several weeks without noticeable improvement, it’s time for a comprehensive dry eye assessment. Persistent symptoms often indicate an underlying cause that requires more than lubricating eye drops alone.
Looking after your eyes involves more than treating existing symptoms. Regular eye examinations can also help detect other eye conditions before they begin affecting your vision. If you’re interested in learning more, read our article 10 Signs Your Child May Need an Eye Test: A Parent’s Guide.
At First Choice Vision, we understand that no two patients experience dry eye disease in exactly the same way.
Our experienced optometrists take the time to identify the underlying cause of your symptoms before recommending a personalised management plan. We focus on evidence-based care, clear communication and practical treatment options tailored to your individual needs.
We proudly care for patients across:
Dry eye disease is often more than just an occasional irritation. Left unmanaged, it can affect your comfort, your vision and your quality of life.
If you're experiencing ongoing dryness, burning, watery eyes or blurred vision, a comprehensive eye examination can help identify the underlying cause and determine the most appropriate treatment.
At First Choice Vision, we're committed to providing personalised eye care and evidence-based dry eye management to help you achieve lasting comfort and healthier vision.
Book your comprehensive eye examination today and let our experienced team help you find the right solution for your eyes.
Your Most Common Questions Answered.
Dry eye disease is often a long-term condition, but in many cases it can be successfully managed. The goal of treatment is to improve the quality and stability of the tear film, reduce symptoms and protect the surface of the eye. The most appropriate treatment depends on the underlying cause and should be tailored to each individual.
This is one of the most common symptoms of dry eye disease. When the surface of the eye becomes dry and irritated, the eyes may produce reflex tears. These watery tears do not contain the balanced components needed for a healthy tear film, so they often fail to provide lasting relief.
Yes. An unstable tear film can cause vision to fluctuate throughout the day. Many people notice that their vision becomes clearer after blinking because the tear film is temporarily redistributed across the surface of the eye.
Extended screen use can contribute to dry eye symptoms because people tend to blink less frequently while concentrating on digital devices. Taking regular breaks, blinking fully and adjusting your screen position may help reduce discomfort.
Many preservative-free artificial tears are suitable for regular use, but not all eye drops are the same. If you need to use lubricating eye drops frequently or your symptoms continue despite treatment, a comprehensive eye examination is recommended to identify the underlying cause.
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) occurs when the oil-producing glands along the eyelid margins do not function properly. Because these oils help prevent tears from evaporating too quickly, MGD is one of the leading causes of evaporative dry eye disease.
You should arrange a comprehensive eye examination if you experience:
Early assessment helps identify the cause and allows treatment to begin before symptoms become more severe.
Some contact lens wearers experience increased dryness or discomfort, particularly after long periods of wear. Your optometrist can assess whether your symptoms are related to your contact lenses and recommend suitable alternatives or treatment options.
You may also find these articles helpful:
➡️ 10 Signs Your Child May Need an Eye Test: A Parent’s Guide
➡️ Myopia in Children: Signs, Causes and Myopia Control Options for Parents in St Albans
➡️ Myopia Control in Children: Which Treatment Really Works? A Complete Parent’s Guide
The information in this guide is based on current research and evidence-based recommendations from leading eye care organisations.
For further information, visit:
The information in this article is intended for general educational purposes only and should not replace personalised advice from a qualified optometrist or other healthcare professional.
If you are experiencing ongoing dry eye symptoms or have concerns about your vision, we recommend booking a comprehensive eye examination with an experienced optometrist.
First Choice Vision is an independent optometry practice in St Albans, Melbourne, providing comprehensive eye examinations, children’s vision care, myopia management, dry eye assessments, contact lens services and personalised eye care for patients of all ages.
Our commitment is to deliver evidence-based eye care, honest advice and tailored solutions that help every patient enjoy clearer, healthier vision throughout life.