Dry Eye Syndrome: Causes, Treatments, and Medications That Help

When your eyes feel gritty, burning, or constantly watery, you might be dealing with dry eye syndrome, a common condition where your eyes don’t produce enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly. Also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, it’s not just an annoyance—it’s a chronic issue that can worsen without proper care. This isn’t something you just ‘get over’ after a long day on the screen. For many, it’s a daily battle with redness, light sensitivity, and even blurred vision that doesn’t clear up with rest.

Dry eye syndrome often links to other health problems. cyclosporine eye drops, a prescription treatment that reduces inflammation and helps your eyes make more natural tears, are commonly prescribed because they target the root cause, not just the symptoms. Many people try over-the-counter artificial tears, lubricating eye drops that temporarily replace missing moisture, but if they’re not working, it’s a sign your tear system is broken, not just dry. Environmental factors like air conditioning, wind, and staring at screens for hours speed up tear evaporation, making symptoms worse. Age, hormones, autoimmune diseases like Sjögren’s, and even certain medications—including antihistamines and antidepressants—can all reduce tear production.

What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t a generic list of remedies. It’s a real-world collection of articles that connect dry eye syndrome to practical medication use, safety concerns, and hidden triggers. You’ll read about how drugs like cyclosporine work differently than drops you buy at the store, why some medications make dry eyes worse, and how storage conditions for eye drops matter just as much as the formula. There’s also coverage on how systemic health issues—like those affecting your liver, kidneys, or immune system—can impact your eyes. These aren’t theoretical discussions. They’re based on how real patients manage the condition while juggling other prescriptions, travel, and lifestyle changes.