Tired of That Gritty Feeling? Unpacking 7 Common Causes of Dry, Irritated Eyes (From Your Ayrshire Eye Clinic Team)
Published by Ayrshire Eye Clinic on 28/05/25
What causes dry eyes? That gritty, scratchy, sore feeling in your eyes – sound familiar?
Most of us have felt it, perhaps after hours glued to a screen or a brisk walk on a windy Ayrshire day. We all get dry eyes from time to time, but for some people, it’s not just now and then. It’s all the time.
At Ayrshire Eye Clinic, we hear it all the time: “Why do my eyes feel so dry and irritated all the time?” It’s a really common complaint, and the tricky part is, there’s not always one clear answer. Sometimes it’s something simple like the weather or screen time. Other times, it’s linked to a longer-term issue.
If you’re trying to figure out what’s going on with your eyes, you’re not alone. Let’s walk through some of the most common reasons they might be feeling sore, dry, or just not quite right.
1. When Your Natural Tear Shield Isn't Up to Scratch
Think of your tear film as your eye's personal bodyguard and moisturiser, all in one.
Believe it or not, your tears aren’t just water. They’re a mix of oil to stop them evaporating too quickly, water to hydrate, and mucus to help them coat your eyes evenly. It's what keeps your eyes feeling smooth and comfortable.
But if this delicate balance is off – maybe not enough oil, or perhaps too little water – that protective shield weakens. The result? You know that dry, scratchy, tired feeling in your eyes? For a lot of people, that’s down to something called Dry Eye Syndrome, and it’s one of the most common reasons their eyes just don’t feel right.
2. The Screen Stare: A Modern-Day Culprit
Screens are part of everyday life now. Phones, laptops, TVs, tablets. We’re constantly looking at one or another.
But here’s the thing: when we’re really focused on a screen, we don’t blink as much as we normally would. And less blinking means less moisture getting spread across your eyes, which can leave them feeling dry and tired. And blinking is your eye's natural way of hitting the refresh button, spreading those vital tears.
Less blinking means less rehydration, and over time, this can really take its toll, leading to that all-too-familiar tired, stinging dryness, particularly as the day wears on.
3. It's Not You, It's Your Surroundings (Sometimes)
Sometimes, the reason your eyes feel like a desert isn't something in your body, but rather what's around you.
That biting Ayrshire wind; the drying effects of central heating in the Winter or air conditioning in Summer; even smoke and pollution. These can all conspire to make your tears evaporate faster than they should.
This is why you might notice your symptoms flare up in colder months, during hayfever season (hello pollen), or after a long flight.
4. The Hormone Connection
This one might surprise you, but hormones can have a direct say in your eye comfort.
It’s something we hear often. Many women start noticing dry, uncomfortable eyes around the time of menopause. Hormonal changes during this stage can affect not just how many tears your eyes produce, but also how effective they are at keeping your eyes properly hydrated. It’s a subtle shift, but it can make a big difference to how your eyes feel day to day.
5. Are Your Contact Lenses Part of the Problem?
If you love the freedom of contact lenses but not the dryness that sometimes comes with them, you’re definitely not the only one.
Contact lenses are great for vision, but wearing them for long stretches, especially in dry or air-conditioned places, can sometimes leave your eyes feeling sore or gritty. That’s often down to reduced oxygen reaching the surface of your eyes, which can make things feel a bit off.
If you're a regular lens wearer and often find your eyes sore, it’s well worth a chat with us about your options.
6. Medications and Underlying Health Conditions
It's also worth considering if other things are at play.
Some everyday medications like antihistamines, certain antidepressants, or even blood pressure treatments, can quietly reduce how many tears your eyes make. And it’s not just meds. Conditions like blepharitis, rosacea, diabetes, or autoimmune issues like Sjögren’s syndrome can all play a part too.
If your eyes have suddenly started feeling dry and irritated, or if things changed around the time you started a new treatment or noticed other health shifts, it’s worth getting it checked out properly. A quick assessment can often point you in the right direction.
7. The Natural Process of Ageing
Sometimes, it just comes down to age.
As we get older, it’s completely normal for our eyes (like the rest of our body) to go through changes. One of those is a gradual drop in tear production, which tends to become more noticeable after 50. It’s nothing unusual, but it can definitely leave your eyes feeling drier than they used to.This doesn't mean discomfort is inevitable, but it does make dry eye symptoms more common as we age.
When Is "Just Dry Eyes" Something More?
A bit of dryness now and then - usually, nothing to worry about.
But if you're constantly battling irritation, redness, or even find your vision blurring, and it's starting to get in the way of enjoying your day, that’s your cue. It’s a sign that it’s time to get things checked out by a professional. You really don’t have to just put up with it. There are options that can help.
At Ayrshire Eye Clinic, we know just how uncomfortable and draining it can be to deal with dry eyes day in, day out. That's why we offer tailored dry eye assessments to help get to the very root of your symptoms. When we understand what’s causing the problem, we can find the right way forward, whether that’s easy things you can try at home, small changes to your routine, or focused treatments we can offer in the clinic.
Tired of dealing with dry eyes every day? Let’s see what we can do to help.
Book a consultation with one of our team at Ayrshire Eye Clinic and take the first step towards feeling better. We're here to help you see and feel better.