Dry Eyes Treatment West Bromwich

How we treat it

Our pharmacist will check what is behind the dryness — screens, air conditioning, contact lenses, blepharitis or a medicine side effect — and where appropriate supply lubricating drops or gel free of charge under the local NHS minor ailments scheme.

Who's eligible?

Free NHS treatment is available if you are registered with a participating local GP and do not pay for prescriptions; everyone else can still get expert advice and low-cost treatment. Use our one-minute eligibility checker and our pharmacist will be in touch to arrange your consultation — or just walk in.

Get help today instead if you have:

Sudden loss of vision, or a marked change in vision
Severe eye pain, or a red eye with light sensitivity
A possible injury, or something stuck in the eye

Call us on 0121 500 5756, your GP, or NHS 111. In an emergency call 999.

Start eligibility check →

Understanding Dry Eyes

Dry Eyes, explained

What it is, what to look out for, and what actually helps — from the pharmacists who deal with it every day.

About dry, gritty eyes

Dry eye happens when the tear film is not doing its job — either not enough tears, or tears that evaporate too quickly because the oily layer is poor. The result is a gritty, sandy, tired feeling, often worse at the end of the day. Confusingly, watery eyes are a classic dry eye symptom: the surface irritation triggers a reflex flood of watery tears that runs straight off.

Screens are the modern driver — we blink far less while concentrating — along with air conditioning, car heaters, contact lens wear and windy weather. Blepharitis, where the oil glands along the lid margin become blocked, is behind a great many stubborn cases, and it needs lid hygiene rather than more drops. Some medicines dry the eyes too, including certain antihistamines and antidepressants, which is worth checking.

Come and see us if you have:

1
A gritty, sandy or burning feeling, as though something is in the eye
2
Tired, heavy eyes that are worse after screens, driving or a long day
3
Watery eyes that overflow despite feeling dry
4
Blurred vision that clears when you blink
5
Red, crusted or sore lid margins, particularly first thing in the morning

Why are my eyes watering if they are dry?

Because irritation on the eye surface triggers a reflex burst of watery tears. Those tears lack the oily layer that holds them in place, so they run off rather than coating the eye — leaving it dry again. Treating the dryness usually settles the watering.

Which eye drops should I use?

Thin drops suit mild daytime dryness and are easy to use often; thicker gels and ointments last longer and suit night-time or more marked dryness, though they blur vision briefly. If you use drops more than four to six times a day, choose a preservative-free product. Contact lens wearers need drops specifically suitable for lenses — ask us.

What is blepharitis and how is it treated?

It is inflammation of the eyelid margins where the oil glands sit, causing crusting, redness and stubborn dryness. Treatment is lid hygiene rather than drops alone: a warm compress for five to ten minutes, gentle massage along the lid, then cleaning the lid margin. It needs doing daily and for weeks, not days, to work.

How do I stop screens making it worse?

Follow the 20-20-20 habit — every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds — and blink deliberately and fully. Drop the screen slightly below eye level so your lids cover more of the eye, and move away from direct air conditioning or heater vents.

When should I see an optician or doctor instead?

Get seen the same day for sudden vision change, severe pain, a red eye with light sensitivity, or a suspected injury or foreign body. Persistent dryness that is not improving after a few weeks of proper treatment is worth an optometrist appointment.