Dry eye syndrome is a very common eye condition. Dry eye is caused by a lack of tears, or bad quality in tears. There are also some medications that can cause dry eye, such as some drugs used to treat high blood pressure, antihistamines, and certain antidepressants. Some environmental factors can also cause dry eye, including poor air quality, or tasks that require less blinking such as driving or reading.

Currently, there is no specified cure for dry eye. But there are several effective treatments available. For most people with occasional or mild dry eye symptoms, treatment usually involves readily available over-the-counter drops.  There are many types of artificial tears that are out on the market.  For more information as to what types of artificial tears that ophthalmologists recommend, go to What is the Best Artificial Tear.

If your symptoms are more persistent and serious, your treatment options depend on what is causing your dry eyes. Some symptoms may suggest an autoimmune condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis, so it is important for you to see an eye doctor if you have serious symptoms. 

Common prescription medications used to treat dry eyes:

• Restasis
• Steroid eye drops
• Xiidra

Other treatments include:

• Covering your eyes with special contact lenses
• Closing you tear ducts with "punctual plugs" to reduce tear loss
• Unblocking oil glands