Page contents
- Why do eyes get drier at the office?
- What changes in winter with the heating on?
- Dry eye symptoms that give it away
- Who is more vulnerable?
- Practical solutions at the office
- Practical solutions at home in winter
- Office or home: what makes it worse and what helps
- Artificial tears and eyelid care
- When to see an ophthalmologist
- Frequently Asked Questions about Dry Eyes
Dry eyes at the office and in winter with the central heating on are mainly caused by two things: blinking less in front of a screen, and dry, warm air that makes tears evaporate faster. Small changes to the position of your screen, the humidity of the room and the care of your eyelids usually bring noticeable relief.
Why do eyes get drier at the office?
The tear film is a very thin layer that covers the cornea and is renewed with every blink. When we concentrate on a screen, the blink rate drops noticeably and many blinks are incomplete, meaning the eyelids do not close fully. As a result, the tears evaporate before they are renewed and the surface of the eye is left exposed.
At the office, other factors are added:
- air conditioning or ventilation blowing directly onto the face,
- a screen placed too high, which keeps the eyes wide open,
- many hours without a break,
- contact lenses, which increase tear evaporation.
Digital eye strain is not limited to dryness. We explain in detail how long hours of screen use affect the eyes and focusing.
What changes in winter with the heating on?
Heating warms the air but lowers its relative humidity, often below 30%, especially in closed rooms with fan heaters, air conditioners on heating mode or a fireplace. Dry air draws moisture from every exposed surface, and the surface of the eye is one of the most sensitive. People who are already prone to dry eye usually notice that their symptoms get worse from November to March.
Cold wind outside and sudden temperature changes between the street and indoors add to the strain. This is why dry eyes in winter are such a common complaint, even in people who have no trouble at all in summer.
Dry eye symptoms that give it away
Dry eye is not always felt as “dryness”. The most common symptoms are:
- burning or stinging eyes, especially in the afternoon,
- a gritty or foreign body sensation,
- redness,
- blurred vision that clears when you blink,
- tiredness when reading and using screens,
- sensitivity to light,
- surprisingly, watery eyes: the eye reflexively produces watery tears that do not protect it properly.
We have a separate page on the causes, types and treatment options for dry eye syndrome and its treatment.
Who is more vulnerable?
The same conditions do not affect everyone in the same way. Those most often affected are:
- women, particularly after the menopause, because of hormonal changes,
- people over 50, as tear production decreases with age,
- those who wear contact lenses for many hours a day,
- those taking medicines that reduce tear production, such as some antihistamines, antidepressants or blood pressure medicines,
- people with rosacea, autoimmune diseases or chronic blepharitis,
- those who have had laser refractive surgery, where some temporary dryness in the first few months is expected.
If you belong to one of these groups, preventive measures at the office and at home matter even more. However, do not stop any medicine without first speaking to the doctor who prescribed it.
Practical solutions at the office
Correct screen position
Place the screen at about arm’s length and slightly below eye level, so that you look slightly downwards. This way your eyelids cover more of the eye and evaporation is reduced. Adjust the brightness to match the lighting in the room.
The 20-20-20 rule
Every 20 minutes, look at something about 6 metres away for 20 seconds. During this short break, also do a few deliberate, complete blinks, closing your eyes fully.
Watch out for draughts
If an air vent, air conditioner or desk fan is blowing towards your face, change your position or the direction of the airflow. This is perhaps the simplest change with the most immediate result.
Breaks and hydration
Drinking enough water does not cure dry eye, but it helps the body overall. Get up from your chair every one to two hours and rest your eyes away from screens.
Practical solutions at home in winter
- Humidifier: the aim is a relative humidity of about 40 to 60%. A simple hygrometer shows whether one is needed. Clean the humidifier regularly.
- Moderate temperature: very warm rooms dry the air out more.
- Distance from the heat source: do not sit right next to a radiator, fireplace or fan heater.
- Protection outdoors: wraparound glasses protect against cold wind.
- Ventilation: a few minutes with the window open refreshes the air without making the house cold.
Office or home: what makes it worse and what helps
| Setting | What strains the eyes | What helps |
|---|---|---|
| Office with a computer | Few and incomplete blinks, screen too high | Screen slightly lower, 20-20-20 rule |
| Air-conditioned room | Draught on the face | Change of position or airflow direction |
| Home with radiators or a fan heater | Low humidity, high temperature | Humidifier, moderate temperature, distance from the heat source |
| Outdoors in winter | Cold wind | Glasses that protect against the wind |
| Contact lenses | Increased tear evaporation | Fewer hours of wear, fit check |
Artificial tears and eyelid care
Lubricating eye drops, known as artificial tears, are usually the first step. For frequent use, preservative-free products are preferred. Drops “for red eyes” that constrict the blood vessels do not treat dry eye and are not intended for long-term use. It is best to discuss with your ophthalmologist which lubricant suits you and how often to use it.
In many people the cause lies in the eyelids. The meibomian glands, on the edge of the eyelids, produce the oily layer that prevents tears from evaporating. When they become blocked or inflamed, as happens in blepharitis, tears evaporate quickly however many drops you use. Warm compresses on the closed eyelids and gentle daily cleaning of the lid margins help the glands work better.
When simple measures are not enough, the ophthalmologist may suggest targeted treatment, such as anti-inflammatory drops for a limited period or IPL (intense pulsed light) treatment for meibomian gland dysfunction.
When to see an ophthalmologist
If symptoms persist for weeks despite these changes, an examination is worthwhile. A slit lamp examination checks the stability of the tear film, the condition of the eyelids and the surface of the cornea, so that treatment targets the real cause. Ask for an examination without delay if you have:
- severe eye pain,
- a drop in vision that does not improve with blinking,
- marked sensitivity to light,
- a red eye with discharge, especially if you wear contact lenses,
- dry eyes together with a dry mouth or joint pain, which may be related to a wider condition.
If dry eyes are troubling you at work or at home, book an appointment at our clinic in Neo Psychiko, Athens, for a full assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dry Eyes
Do blue light glasses help with dry eyes?
There is not enough evidence that blue light filters reduce dry eye or screen fatigue. The problem is mainly caused by blinking less and tear evaporation, not by the light from the screen. Correct screen position, regular breaks and correcting any refractive error with suitable glasses help more.
Can I use artificial tears every day?
Preservative-free lubricating eye drops are generally considered suitable for daily use. However, if you need them very often during the day or do not feel any relief, this suggests that something needs investigating, such as dysfunction of the eyelid glands. In that case, an eye examination will guide treatment.
Why do my eyes water if I have dry eye?
When the surface of the eye dries out and becomes irritated, the body responds by reflexively producing tears. These tears are mainly water, do not have the right composition and evaporate quickly, so they do not protect the eye. This is why watery eyes in the cold or in front of a screen can be a sign of dry eye.
Does dry eye go away when winter ends?
In mild cases, symptoms improve when humidity rises and the heating is switched off. However, dry eye is often a chronic condition, influenced by age, hormonal changes and certain medicines. If symptoms come back every year or also appear in summer with air conditioning, systematic treatment is needed.
Questions about your case?
Dr. Skouteris will examine you at his practice in Neo Psychiko and explain your options.
Ophthalmic surgeon trained at the John Radcliffe University Hospital in Oxford and Fellow of the European Board of Ophthalmology (FEBO).
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