See Clearly Again: Take Dry Eyes Seriously

Dry eyes are becoming more common — even among young people who spend a lot of time in front of screens or in air-conditioned rooms. Chronic dry eye, the so-called Sicca syndrome, is among the most common eye conditions and affects about one in five people. Women are affected more often than men on average. If you’re wondering what helps with dry eyes, here you’ll find targeted information and practical tips.

What symptoms signal dry eyes?

Those affected describe the symptoms of dry eyes in many different ways. The most common complaints include:

• burning sensation in the eyes
• constant itching or stinging pain
• a feeling of pressure behind the eye
• a sense of a foreign body, similar to a grain of sand
• persistent irritation that blinking doesn’t relieve

A hallmark of dry eyes is also increased sensitivity to light: normal daylight or lighting in clubs and offices can suddenly feel harsh and bothersome. It isn’t uncommon for vision to blur, especially during long periods of work or gaming on a screen, or when looking at a smartphone late at night.

What surprises many people: watery eyes can also be a sign. The body tries to compensate for the dryness with a kind of “emergency” tear production, but this fluid is of lower quality and evaporates quickly.

Untreated dry eyes promote inflammation

If early signs of dry eyes go untreated, the surface of the eye dries out more and more. This causes tiny micro-tears in the cornea, which facilitate the entry of germs. Bacteria or viruses then often trigger a corneal infection.

Typical symptoms of a corneal infection, for example as a result of dry eyes, include:

• severe pain
• redness
• worsening vision

That’s why it’s important not to dismiss dry eyes as a minor issue, but to counter them in a timely manner.

Sicca syndrome: when dry eyes become chronic

Many people only suffer from dry, irritated eyes temporarily. In some cases, however, the symptoms persist. Doctors refer to this as Sicca syndrome.

It is not a single disease, but a complex disorder: the eye produces too little tear fluid, or the tear film has a changed composition and evaporates too quickly.

In addition to intense screen time, hormonal changes are known triggers. These include menopause as well as gender-affirming hormone therapy with antiandrogens and estrogens. These factors influence the function and composition of tear fluid.

Also, certain medications are considered potential causes of dry eyes, including antidepressants and allergy medications.

Chronic dry eyes: The Sicca syndrome also takes a mental toll

The Sicca syndrome significantly affects daily life. Dry eyes make seeing harder, especially when working at a computer or reading on a smartphone.

As symptoms progress, reading speed declines, and reaction times while driving increase measurably.

In addition, studies show a connection between dry eyes and mental health conditions. Anxiety disorders and depression occur much more often among those affected: one study found that 13.7 percent of patients with dry eye suffered from depression — compared with 8.6 percent in the comparison group.

Treatment: What really helps against dry eyes?

Eye drops often provide noticeable and rapid relief by hydrating the eyes and stabilizing the tear film.

To reduce symptoms over the long term, targeted daily-life changes can help. The following measures can noticeably support eye health:

• Consciously break from screen time
  Regular breaks relieve the eyes. Even a quick glance into the distance or deliberate blinking helps prevent dryness.
• Improve the room climate
  Fresh air, houseplants, or humidifiers counteract dry heating air and stabilize the surface of the eye.
• Use contact lenses selectively
  If you wear contacts, limit wear time or occasionally switch to glasses to spare your eyes.
• Reconsider eye makeup
  Low-irritation products and gentle cleansing help avoid additional stress on sensitive eyelids.

These measures promote eye health and relieve typical symptoms. If dryness persists, or you experience severe pain or uncertainty, you should seek medical evaluation to rule out serious causes.