Dry eye - any tips on how to ease discomfort?

ask pharmacist.

See an optician. Don't assume. He/she will check it's dry eye and suggest treatments. I have dry eye and use over the counter drops which were recommended by my optician. I use them at least twice a day even when my eyes feel OK because mine is chronic but perhaps you only need them for a few days at a time when the dry eye affects you. You need to see a professional who can give you proper advice.

a humidifier, the air gets very dry in a heated home

I was treated for 2 years for dry eye which had been diagnosed by both an optician and my GP. When it got really bad and was weeping continuously, despite eye drops, I asked to see a specialist. The specialist carried out some tests and concluded it wasn't dry eye, but a blocked tear duct! I had an operation a few weeks later, and my eye has been fine ever since; I take no medication at all now.

I have a condition which gives me dry eyes, had it for 30 years or more. So I use Hydro Tears, eye hospital said they were the best and have a prescription for them but you can buy them over the counter. I use mine about 6 times a day, you can't overdose on them so you can use them more if needed.

Also we don't use our central heating much as it drys my eyes, we use a log burner for heat.

Flying is a big problem as I use to fly to SE Asia but I would use the hydro tears, found wearing dark wrap around glasses also helped.

Hydo Tears has an oil in them and thats I am told why they are effectifive.

I would advise seeing your optician. My eyes had felt sticky for a while and she confirmed that I had very dry eyes. She recommended drops called Hycosan Extra which last me all day. Cheaper / less strong ones simply don't work for me.

I was diagnosed with dry eye along with various other auto immune conditions. I had cataract surgery on both eyes a couple of years ago, complex because of inflammatory eye disease. The surgeon recommended Hydro Tears, they're excellent and you can get them on prescription or buy them. I found the cheaper dry eye drops irritated so my GP was happy to prescribe as advised by the surgeon.
The bottle says use as needed, the advice is often 4 times, but I use them more frequently.

Iam64 I also have auto immune conditions and cataract surges on both eyes done when I was in my 50's.

I use Polytears.

Boots have a good selection of remedies

www.boots.com/sitesearch?searchTerm=dry%20eyes

I have dry eyes caused by blepharitis. Ask your optician if this is your problem perhaps.

Hycosan Extra is what I use. Also compresses steeped in cooled boiled water. One clean cloth for each eye. I have had dry eyes for years due to autoimmune condition. It's horrible, sometimes worse than others. I also find Ive had to cut down my time on screens, phone or laptop. I find staring at screens makes it worse as you tend not to blink often enough. Central heating does make it worse. I would ask Pharmacist, but if nothing helps go see a reputable Optician.

I am suffering terribly with this - have booked an appt with eye hospital clinic as I live near moorfields. I wake 3 or 4 times a night in pain with eyeballs stuck to lids. The night held do help but I get through a small tube in 2 nights so it costs a fortune.
I also have alopecia which is auto immune so maybe that’s why. I’ve read that the drops with preservatives are not good for long term use.
If you use preservative free do you use the individual vials?

I do find the heated mask a great relief but I wish it came with a washable cover as it gets so grubby - I might ask my daughter (handy with a needle) to make me a washable cover or two.

Thank you so much for all the advice, I've booked an appointment with my optician for this coming week.

I use these daily, they make a huge difference. nacdrops.com/blog/eye-drops-for-dry-eyes/

I have dry eyes, a symptom of an auto-immune condition. I use hypromellose drops (Isopto) whenever necessary during the day and at night I have Viscotears, gel drops, both on prescription. If I forget to use the gel drops, I wake up with dry, itchy, gritty eyes. If I've been doing a lot of reading (most days) it makes matters worse, but I'd hate to give up reading!

I use Blink intensive plus from Boots.

I’m better in the summer but a cold wind in the winter triggers it so I bought some prescription sunglasses and that helps. The type skiers use, wrap around would be even better in my opinion.

Yes I wear the ski type sun glasses even in winter when I feel really stupid with them on. But still they work.

I have two sorts of eyedrops prescribed. One for day time and one for night. The night one is very thick and seems almost oily. My vision is a bit blurred after I put them in, but if I rub my eyes during the night it makes my whole eyelid feel liquidy, Will try to find the name.

Yes I also have a night time one but its a gel and makes my eyes the same. So I don't tend to use it instead just puts of few drops of eye drops in when I wake during the night.

My optician diagnosed dry patches on my eyes and prescribed Hyabak drops, which I buy over the counter at Boots. Use them every morning and during the day if needed.

Just a suggestion, but DH had a sore watery eye over Christmas. The pharmacist said it was not conjunctivitis and to visit our optician, who was closed for Christmas. A neighbour , in the medical profession, suggested a tiny blob of coconut oil on the corner of his eye and blink. Immediate relief. He did that once or twice a day just over Christmas and his eye improved no end. Absolutely fine now.

As a few people have said, it's best to speak to your GP or optometrist, who can refer you to an ophthalmologist who specialises in dry eye or external eye for further treatment, if necessary.

If you'd like to talk to someone independently about your dry eye, and any possible implications for your cataract surgery, the RNIB Eye Health Information Service can be contacted through our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 (open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, and Saturday 9am to 1pm).

Thank you again, everyone, for your comments.