How do I prevent dry eyes while wearing contact lenses?

It is advised to instill eye drops before wearing contact lenses. The people who wear contact lenses should carry eye drops with them so that they can use them, if their eyes become dry throughout the day. This is especially important if you spend a lot of time in a heated room or other dry environment.

Can dry eyes be cured?

Dry eyes is a progressive disease that becomes severe with advancing age and underlying disease factors. There is no permanent cure for the disease. However, disease can be managed with the right medications and good eye hygiene. When a dry eye is caused by environmental factors such as dry and windy climates, exposure to smoke, or staring at a computer screen, the symptoms will usually go away once the environment is changed. If dry eye is caused by certain medications, changing or adjusting medicines may help.

Are the symptoms of dry eyes become more prevalent in particular seasons?

Dry eyes are most commonly caused from an individual not being able to produce healthy tears. This is usually not affected by a change of seasons. But, symptoms can be experienced more during allergy season, or warmer months when people live in a dry air-conditioned environment.

Can dry eyes cause blindness?

Dry eyes can cause disturbances in the vision, such as blurriness and increased light sensitivity. When left untreated, chronic lack of tears can cause permanent damage to the cornea in your eye. This may lead to blindness.

Do watery eyes can be a symptom of dry eyes?

In various cases patients experience watery eyes as a symptom of dry eyes. This is because too much drying of the eyes causes the body to produce more tears to compensate for the water loss.

Dry eyes

Written By Dr. Swati MishraBDS

Reviewed By Dr. Rajeev Sharma

MBA, MBBS

Last updated on: 24 Feb 2026 | 12:26 PM (IST)

Also known as Dry eye disease (DED), Dry eye syndrome (DES), Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), Keratitis sicca, and Ocular surface disease

Overview

Tears produced by the eyes are necessary to keep them moist and comfortable. Dry eyes is a very common condition characterized by reduced tear production, excessive tear evaporation, and an abnormality in the production of mucus or lipids (fats or oils) normally found in the tear layer, or a combination of these.

Dry eyes cause several irritating symptoms such as stinging and burning sensation in the eye, blurred vision, and gritty or scratch feeling in the eye that affects quality of life.

This condition can result due to advancing age or several underlying systemic diseases such as Sjogren’s syndrome, arthritis, lupus, thyroid disorders etc. Various lifestyle factors such as exposure to dust, pollution, sun rays, computer screens, cigarette smoke also plays an important role in the development of dry eyes.

Dry eyes can be prevented and managed by adopting lifestyle changes such as limiting screen time, regular blinking, washing eyes frequently, staying hydrated, using a humidifier at home, and wearing glasses to protect the eyes. Artificial tears available as eyedrops is the mainstay therapy for this condition.

Any related symptoms of Dry eyes should not be ignored as it can lead to corneal ulcers, scarring, and even vision loss.

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Overview

Key Facts

Symptoms

Causes

Risk factors

Diagnosis

Specialist to visit

Prevention

Treatment

Home-care

Complications

Alternatives therapies

Living with

FAQs

References