Uncategorised | 20 February 2026 | 1 minutes

Dry Eye Disease in the UK: Causes, Symptoms, and Management

Dry eye disease is a common yet often overlooked condition affecting millions of people across the UK. While it is not usually sight-threatening, it can significantly impact daily comfort, productivity, and overall quality of life. With increased screen use, an ageing population, and environmental factors, dry eye is becoming more prevalent than ever.

What Is Dry Eye Disease?

Dry eye disease occurs when the eyes do not produce enough tears, or when the tears evaporate too quickly. Healthy tears are essential for maintaining clear vision and protecting the surface of the eye. When the tear film is unstable, the eyes can become irritated, inflamed, and uncomfortable.

In the UK, dry eye is commonly diagnosed in optometry practices and ophthalmology clinics, particularly among adults over the age of 40.

Common Causes in the UK

Several factors contribute to dry eye disease, many of which are increasingly relevant in modern British lifestyles:

Prolonged screen use from computers, smartphones, and tablets, leading to reduced blinking
Central heating and air conditioning, which lower indoor humidity
Ageing, as tear production naturally decreases over time
Hormonal changes, particularly during menopause
Contact lens wear, especially with long daily use
Medical conditions such as blepharitis, rosacea, and autoimmune disorders
Certain medications, including antihistamines, antidepressants, and blood pressure tablets

Environmental factors such as wind, pollution, and seasonal allergies can also worsen symptoms.

Symptoms to Look Out For

Dry eye symptoms can vary from mild to severe and may fluctuate throughout the day. Common signs include:

Gritty or sandy sensations in the eyes
Burning or stinging feelings
Redness and irritation
Blurred or fluctuating vision
Sensitivity to light
Excessive watering (a reflex response to dryness)
Tired or heavy-feeling eyes, particularly after screen use

When to Seek Professional Advice

Dry eye symptoms should not be ignored, especially if they interfere with daily activities or vision. An eye care professional can identify the underlying cause and recommend appropriate treatment options based on individual needs.

How We Can Help

We are experts in our field always striving to help the ever increasing numbers of people that suffer from dry eye conditions. We made it our mission to improve treatment in the UK and we have already achieved so much – The Dry Eye Centre was the first clinic in the UK to adopt Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment for dry eye.

View our treatments today to get started or get in touch to book an appointment.

Minakshi helped bring my eyes back from the brink of uselessness. I was so worried about how much dry eye was affecting my life a year ago and now I hardly ever think about it. Absolute miracle worker!

A W

My eye was diagnosed with a meibomian gland dysfunction and had a severe dry eye. The ophthalmologist Mamta has given me IPL treatment for nearly two years. After the long term treatment, the problem of MGD is getting better, no styes found, no swollen eyes and I don’t need to take any antibiotics. I can finally see things very clearly now, it just feels normal. Mamta is very professional, caring and patient. She is always happy to listen and give me advice regarding my eye problems. So I would highly recommend this clinic to anyone who has dry eye problems.

S L

I would highly recommend this centre to anyone suffering with chronic dry eye symptoms. My symptoms started in September last year and quickly went from bad to unbearable! I was misdiagnosed by an ophthalmologist who said I had blepharitis and put me on antibiotics and steroids. This did not help me in the slightest as the drugs were not addressing the route causes of my dry eye symptoms. I’m so so grateful that I visited this clinic. I have been under the care of Minakshi and Mamta and they have been a dream. I was properly diagnosed and I have been visiting every month for the past 6 months or so. I cannot express my gratitude enough to the team as my symptoms have improved drastically with my new routine and the treatments I have been given. I was in a completely depressed state at the beginning of the year and I am now feeling myself again for the first time in a really long time.

A L

Mamta always provides the best service, I’ve been seeing her for over a year now and she’s literally saved my eyes.

S Y

After treatments from several dry eye specialists and seeing no improvement, I approached Dry Eye Centre in desperation. Let’s just say it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. On day one, my dry eye was so severe discomfort was part of daily life and I was almost confined to wearing glasses as contact lenses were immensely painful. Fast forward two years – I was able to have laser eye surgery and dryness is minimal. I now only see Minakshi once a year for IPL and manage my day-to-day with lubricant drops. I’m pain and glasses-free, and I credit her for both. The moment you walk in you can tell you’re in the hands of a real expert – she cares about her patients, is extremely knowledgeable and kind. If you’re in the same position I recommend you start treatment, as investment in your eye health is always worth it and has probably saved me a lot of money on therapies. Thank you Minakshi and Dry Eye Centre!

G L

Living Well with Dry Eye

With proper diagnosis and management, most people in the UK can achieve good control of dry eye symptoms. Awareness, early intervention, and consistent care are key to maintaining comfortable, healthy eyes in the long term.