Sometime in life, it’s all about the small things. Microjoys, a small treat on payday, a quick after-work drink on a Monday evening. And it’s the same when it comes to niggles: the small things can really get to you – think mosquito bites, a mouth ulcer or dry, irritable eyes.

And in news that will please none of us, women are more likely to be affected by dry eyes than men. According to research, dry eyes is the most common complaint in the UK, with one in four of us affected. 

As well as causing discomfort, dry eyes can also affect your vision and cause damage to the eye if left untreated. So, if you’ve noticed that your eyes are more dry than usual, here’s everything you need to know about the condition – and what to do about it. 

Anyone can develop dry eyes, but you are most at risk if you are going through, or have gone through the menopause, wear contact lenses and/or use screens for extended periods – plus the risk gets greater as we age.

1. The weather

‘There are a number of reasons why people might get dry eyes, including increased exposure to cold, dry air and wind,” says Dr Elizabeth Hawkes, an ophthalmic and oculoplastic surgeon. 

“Or if you’re indoors, central heating can be extremely drying to the eyes because heating the air evaporates the water in it, creating a dry atmosphere.”

2. Lifestyle factors

As with any symptoms, how we spend our time has an impact.

“In addition to this there are lifestyle factors that can exacerbate dry eyes” says Dr Hawkes. “A lack of sleep, a diet lacking in omega-3 and other nutrients that are vital for healthy eyes, smoking and drinking alcohol all contribute to poor eye health and dry eyes.”

3. Too much screen time

We’re more aware than ever of the perils of too much screen time, and we really can damage our eyes with excessive screen use. While many of us have to use screens for work there are steps you can take to minimise your risks.

“When we’re on screens, we tend not to blink as much as we normally would,” explains Dr Hawkes. “This can cause dry eyes and accelerate the ageing process. With each blink, you sweep tears across the eyes and it helps to keep them healthy.”

4. Hormones

Research shows that the cornea varies in thickness and sensitivity during various stages of the menstrual cycle, while dry eye disease is more common in post-menopausal women than men of the same age.

“Dry eyes affect more women than men,” agrees Dr Hawkes. “This is largely due to the hormonal changes that occur for women during pregnancy, when using birth control medication or during the menopause.”

You’re likely to be familiar with most of the symptoms of dry eyes, but did you know that watery eyes can also signal that your eyes are dry?

“Having more watery eyes is a common sign of dry eyes,” says Dr Hawkes. “The body can overcompensate for their dryness by producing too many tears.”

So that explains your annoyingly watery eyes in the wind.

“Other symptoms of dry eyes include eyes that are itchy, sore, red, blurry, sensitive to light or are more watering than normal,” says Dr Hawkes. “Dry eyes can also feel sandy or gritty.”

There is good news, though – dry eyes are relatively easy to prevent and treat.

1. Stay well hydrated

Even mild dehydration has an impact on our eyes. As the fluid levels in the body fall, the watery film (the tear film) that covers our eyeballs dries out, leaving our eyes feeling scratchy and sore.

2. Eat a diet rich in omega-3

Eating a healthy diet rich in omega-3 oils is great for our vision and eye health. Think plenty of seeds, nuts and (if you’re not vegan or vegetarian) good sources of oily fish, such as mackerel and salmon. 

3. Reduce screen time

“Take regular screen breaks when using a computer, tablet or mobile phone,” advises Dr Hawkes. “Make sure your computer monitor is positioned correctly at eye height to avoid straining. In addition, I always recommend the 20-20-20 rule so that every 20 minutes you look out of the window at something 20 metres away for 20 seconds.”

4. Minimise contact lens use

You can use contact lenses with dry eyes, but beware – they might be harder to remove, and you shouldn’t use them for lengthy periods. Try wearing your glasses every other day to see if that helps. 

If you’ve tried all of the above and topical solutions such as gel eye drops aren’t helping, you might need to think about seeing your GP. Over time, eye dryness can lead to issues such as blurred vision, sensitivity to light or even corneal ulcers. 

“You should contact your GP or a specialist if you’ve tried home treatments for a few weeks and still have dry eyes,” advises Dr Hawkes. “If there’s any change to the shape of your eyelids or your vision you should always consult an eye specialist to rule out more serious conditions.”

Images: Getty