Gritty, burning, tired
A sandy, scratchy or burning feeling, or eyes that simply feel tired and heavy.
Dry eye clinic · Himayat Nagar
Dry eye: assessment and treatment
Dry eye is common and uncomfortable. Too few tears, or tears that evaporate too fast, need different treatment, so the type is identified first and treatment is directed at the cause.
What it is
Your tears are a film, not just water.
A healthy tear film protects and focuses the eye. In dry eye that film breaks down, either not enough tears, or, far more often, tears that evaporate too fast because the oil glands in your lids are blocked. Screens, age, contact lenses, air-conditioning and some medicines all make it worse. Dr. H. Siva Mohan Reddy looks for the real cause.
When to check
What dry eye actually feels like.
It is not always "dry". These are the everyday signs worth getting assessed, especially if drops haven't helped.
How we treat it
Find the cause, then treat the cause.
The difference is in the diagnosis. We work out which type of dry eye you have before treating, so the treatment actually fits the problem.
Patient guide
Dry eye assessment and care: what to know before you decide.
What is examined, what the tests feel like, and what treatment can and cannot be expected to do.
Who it is for
- People with eyes that burn, feel gritty, water, or tire easily, especially with screens or air conditioning.
- Contact lens wearers whose lenses have become uncomfortable.
- People planning laser vision correction or cataract surgery, in whom dryness is checked and treated beforehand.
What happens, step by step
- History.Screen hours, air conditioning, contact lens wear, medicines and general health are discussed.
- Examination.The eyelids, the oil glands at the lid margin and the surface of the eye are examined under magnification.
- Tear film tests.A drop of dye shows how quickly the tear film breaks up and where the surface is dry.
- Type and cause.You are told which type of dry eye you have and what is contributing to it.
- Plan.Treatment is matched to the type, and reviewed at follow-up.
Which tests are done, and why
- Dye test of the tear film.A yellow dye and a blue light show dry spots on the surface and how many seconds the tear film stays intact.
- Eyelid and oil gland examination.Blocked oil glands are a common cause of tears that evaporate too fast.
- Tear volume test, where needed.A small paper strip rests on the lower lid for a few minutes to measure how much tear fluid is produced.
What you feel
- The examination and the dye test are painless. The dye can tint your tears yellow for a short while.
- The paper strip test is mildly uncomfortable for the few minutes it lasts.
What to expect, in weeks and months
- First weeks.Lubricating drops and lid care are started. Some relief is usual within days to weeks.
- One to three months.Treatment aimed at the cause, such as blocked oil glands or surface inflammation, takes longer to show its effect.
- Long term.Dry eye tends to return when treatment or habits lapse, so the plan is kept simple enough to continue.
Risks and limits
- Dry eye is usually a long-term condition that is controlled, not cured in one visit.
- Response varies from person to person, and more than one treatment is often needed.
- Drops with preservatives can irritate the eye when used many times a day.
- Steroid eye drops are used only in short courses under supervision, because they can raise eye pressure.
The surgeon explains what each treatment is for and what it cannot do before it is started.
What affects the cost
- The type and severity of dry eye.
- The treatment chosen and how long it is continued.
- The number of review visits.
Fees are explained at the consultation, before any test or treatment.
What to bring
- All the eye drops you use, in their bottles.
- Your contact lenses and solution, if you wear lenses.
- A list of your medicines. Some allergy, acne, blood pressure and mood medicines reduce tear production.
How care is organised here
Assessment, procedure and follow-up as one plan.
Your assessment, your dry eye care and follow-up visits are planned together, so the findings from your consultation carry through to the procedure and the reviews afterwards.
1
ConsultationExamination, measurements and time for your questions.
2
ProcedurePlanned from the measurements taken at your consultation.
3
Follow-upReview visits at set intervals, with written instructions.
At your consultation
What is discussed before any procedure.
- You meet the operating surgeon before the day of the procedure.
- The lens or treatment plan is discussed in relation to your eye and your daily needs.
- Risks, benefits and alternatives are explained, and results vary from person to person.
- You are told whom to contact after the procedure and when your reviews are due.
Dr. P. Siva Reddy Eye Hospital
Himayat Nagar, Hyderabad. Established 1975.
Surgeon: Dr. H. Siva Mohan Reddy, MBBS, DO, DNB (Ophthalmology). Registered with the Telangana State Medical Council, Reg. No. 57104.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Why do my eyes water if they are supposed to be dry?
It feels backwards, but watering is one of the commonest signs of dry eye. When the surface is dry and irritated, the eye floods with poor-quality reflex tears that run off instead of coating the eye evenly, so it stays dry and waters at the same time. Treat the dryness properly and the watering usually settles.
Aren't eye drops enough? I've already tried a few.
For some eyes good lubricants are enough. For many, especially the common evaporative type where the lid's oil glands are blocked, drops alone are often not enough, because they do not address the cause. That is why the type of dry eye is identified before treatment.
Is dry eye curable?
Dry eye is usually a long-term condition. Treatment aims to control symptoms rather than cure it, and response varies from person to person.
Why are my eyes worse on screens and by the evening?
We blink far less when we stare at screens, so the tear film thins and dries between blinks, and it gets worse as the day goes on. Part of your plan is simple screen and blink habits alongside treatment, which make a real difference.
Can dry eye blur my vision or affect LASIK or contact lenses?
Yes. Dry eye blurs vision that briefly clears when you blink, and it makes contact lenses uncomfortable. Untreated dry eye also affects both the suitability and the results of laser vision correction, which is why a good surgeon treats it first rather than ignoring it.
What does dry eye treatment cost?
It depends on which type you have and what your eyes need, which the doctor explains once your eyes have been examined. A written estimate is given after the consultation. You can contact the hospital on WhatsApp or by phone.
How do I book?
Book on WhatsApp or by phone. If you already use particular drops, bring them along so we can see what has and hasn't helped.
Medically reviewed by Dr. H. Siva Mohan Reddy, MBBS, DO, DNB (Ophthalmology). Registered with the Telangana State Medical Council, Reg. No. 57104. Last reviewed 25 June 2026.
Appointments and contact
You can reach Dr. P. Siva Reddy Eye Hospital on WhatsApp or by phone during OPD hours.
OPD hours: Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 2 PM and 4:30 PM to 7 PM. Closed on Sunday.