What treatments are available for dry eyes?

There is no cure for dry eye syndrome. If left unattended, dry eye can lead to scarring of the cornea and even vision loss.

However, there is a range of treatments and lifestyle changes that can help to minimise or relieve the symptoms.

If your dry eye problem is being caused or exacerbated by lifestyle or your environment you may be able to make minor changes in your daily life to lessen the problem. For example, take breaks from using the computer to rest your eyes, turn down the central heating at home, or don't wear contact lenses when your eyes are tired and dry.

Speak to your doctor about your dry eye problem. When visiting your doctor, be specific about the symptoms you experienced or are experiencing, the time of day you experience them and whether they are aggravated by certain activities. Your doctor can help you determine the causes and the severity of dry eye symptoms. For example, it may be that an underlying medical problem is causing or contributing to your dry eye syndrome, or that any medication you are on is causing the symptoms. 

If your dry eye problem requires further investigation, your doctor will refer you to an eye specialist. The exact treatment that your eye specialist recommends for dry eye syndrome will depend on whether your symptoms are caused by the decreased production of tears, tears that evaporate too quickly, or an underlying condition.