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Dry eye syndrome

What is dry eye syndrome?

Although anyone can be affected, it’s estimated that up to one in every three people over the age of 65 experiences dry eye syndrome. It’s also more common in women than men.

What are the symptoms of dry eye syndrome?

  • Feelings of dryness, grittiness or soreness that get worse during the day

  • Red eyes

  • Eyelids that stick together when you wake up

  • Temporarily blurred vision, which usually improves when you blink

More severe symptoms of dry eye syndrome include extreme sensitivity to light (photophobia), very red and painful eyes, and deterioration in your vision.

If you have any of these severe symptoms, this can be a sign of a serious complication. Contact your optometrist, ophthalmologist or hospital immediately for appropriate advice.

What causes dry eyes?

Dry eye syndrome can occur when your eyes stop making tears as they usually would. Tears are an important part of your eye health. They help to keep your eyes lubricated, protect against infections, and clear away debris from the surface of your eyes.

Dry eye syndrome develops when there is a disruption in the production of tears – either that they evaporate too quickly, an issue with drainage, or that not enough tears are produced. This can happen for many reasons, either one or a combination of:

  • Being in a hot or windy environment

  • Wearing contact lenses

  • Certain underlying medical conditions

  • Side effects of certain medications

  • Hormonal changes, such as during the menopause

How is dry eye syndrome treated?

Your optometrist may give you eye drops to lubricate your eyes, or you could need medication to reduce inflammation. If necessary, a referral for surgery can prevent tears from draining away too easily.

If dry eye is caused by an underlying condition, treating this condition will usually help relieve the symptoms. If necessary, the optometrist may refer you for further tests.

Did you know?

Eye tests are bulk billed to Medicare so there are no out of pocket expenses for you*.

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Find out more

  • Why do I need an eye test?

    Eye tests play a huge part in making sure your eyes stay healthy.

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We’re here to help

If you’ve noticed a change in your vision, or have experienced any symptoms mentioned above, it’s worth booking an appointment with one of our optometrists.

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