Diagnosis & Care
Dry Eye
Dry eye syndrome is a condition in which tear-film evaporation is high or tear production is low. It can occur at any age and in otherwise healthy people, though it becomes more common with age as the eye produces fewer tears.
Dry eye is one of the most common — and most under-treated — reasons people feel their eyes are tired, gritty or watery. In some parts of the world, vitamin A deficiency from malnutrition makes it far more common still.
At My Vision Eye Care, if an examination suggests your eyes are dry, you’ll be advised specific tests to diagnose the condition and grade its severity. Those results tell us whether treatment should begin, and which type of treatment will bring you the most relief.
Good to know
Dry Eye — your questions answered
What are the signs and symptoms of dry eye syndrome?
A person with dry eye may experience:
- A stinging or burning sensation in the eyes
- A feeling of dryness, grittiness or soreness
- Stringy mucus in or around the eyes
- Sensitivity to smoke, wind and light (photophobia)
- Redness and eye fatigue, even after short reading
- Discomfort when wearing contact lenses
- Excessive tearing (watering, especially in wind)
- Blurred vision — usually worse towards the end of the day — or double vision
- Eyelids sticking together on waking
What causes dry eyes?
- Excessive smartphone and screen use, in both children and adults
- The natural ageing process (especially menopause in women)
- Side effects of medications — antihistamines, antidepressants, some blood-pressure and Parkinson’s medicines, and birth-control pills
- Dry, dusty or windy climates
- Air conditioning or dry heating at home or the office
- Insufficient blinking while staring at a screen or TV
- Long-term contact lens wear
- Systemic diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, ocular rosacea or Sjögren’s syndrome
- Incomplete eyelid closure, eyelid disease, or a deficiency of the tear-producing glands
Related care
All services
Children & Infants Children’s eyes have different needs — and some conditions, like amblyopia, are only treatable before age 7. Early, gentle, age-appropriate assessment matters. 
Retina & Macula The retina and macula are where clear sight truly begins. A simple dilated examination detects macular degeneration, retinal detachment and diabetic disease early.