Dry Eyes Are a Very Common Complaint in the UK
You’ve had a good night’s sleep. You’re not staring at a screen. And yet your eyes feel gritty, scratchy, or uncomfortable. Sound familiar? You’re not imagining it. Dry eyes are one of the most common complaints we see at Centre for Sight. And right now, in the summer of 2026, there are some very specific reasons why so many people are noticing their symptoms more than usual.
Why Summer Can Make Dry Eyes Worse
Most people associate dry eyes with winter. Cold winds, central heating, and hours inside with the radiator on. But summer brings its own set of triggers.
This time of year, the air is drier than you might expect. Air conditioning is running constantly, whether in offices, cars, or shops. Fans circulate warm, dry air around the room. These conditions pull moisture away from the surface of your eyes faster than your tear film can replenish it.
Add to that longer days spent outdoors, higher UV exposure, and the fact that many people are travelling by plane this summer. Aircraft cabins are notoriously dehydrating. Even a two hour flight can leave your eyes feeling uncomfortable for hours afterwards.
The Tear Film: What It Is and Why It Matters
Your eyes are protected by a thin layer called the tear film. It keeps the surface of your eye lubricated, clear, and comfortable. It also plays a role in sharp vision. The tear film is made up of three layers. There is a watery layer, a mucus layer, and an oily outer layer. Each one has a specific job. If any layer becomes imbalanced, your eyes can feel dry even if you are producing enough tears. This is why dry eye is not simply about making more tears. It is often about the quality of the tears you produce.
Common Causes That Have Nothing to Do With Tiredness
Fatigue is often the first thing people assume. But there are many other reasons your eyes might feel dry in 2026.
Screen use remains one of the biggest culprits. When we focus on a screen, we blink far less often. The average person blinks around 15 times per minute. When reading a screen, that can drop to just five or six times. Fewer blinks means less tear distribution and more dryness.
Hormonal changes are another significant factor. Dry eye is more prevalent in women, particularly during perimenopause and menopause. Hormonal shifts affect the glands in your eyelids that produce the oily layer of your tear film.
Certain medications can also dry out your eyes. Antihistamines are a classic example, which is particularly relevant in summer when hay fever is at its peak. Antidepressants, blood pressure medications, and some oral contraceptives can have a similar effect.
Contact lens wear is another trigger. Lenses sit on the tear film, and extended wear can disrupt its balance. If you wear contact lenses and experience dry eyes, you may benefit from speaking to a specialist.
Could It Be Meibomian Gland Dysfunction?
Many people have never heard of meibomian glands. Yet problems with these tiny glands are one of the leading causes of dry eye symptoms.
The meibomian glands sit along the edges of your eyelids. They secrete the oily layer of the tear film that stops tears from evaporating too quickly. When these glands become blocked or underactive, that protective layer breaks down.
This condition is called meibomian gland dysfunction, or MGD. It is very treatable. At Centre for Sight, we offer a range of specialist treatments including Intense Pulsed Light therapy (IPL) and Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT), both of which target the underlying cause rather than just masking the symptoms.
What You Can Do Right Now
There are some simple steps that can make a real difference to how your eyes feel day to day.
Take regular screen breaks. The 20-20-20 rule is a good starting point. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This encourages blinking and gives your eyes a rest.
Stay well hydrated. Drinking enough water supports your body’s ability to produce tears. In warm weather, this matters even more.
Protect your eyes outdoors. Wrap-around sunglasses help shield your eyes from UV rays, wind, and airborne pollen. All three can aggravate dry eye symptoms.
Be mindful of your environment. If you work in an air-conditioned office, consider a small desktop humidifier. Positioning fans so they do not blow directly at your face also helps.
Omega 3 supplements have good evidence behind them for supporting tear film quality. At Centre for Sight, we stock a specialist Omega 3 formulation developed specifically for eye health.
When to See a Specialist
Home remedies can go a long way. But if your dry eye symptoms are persistent, worsening, or affecting your vision, it is worth getting a proper assessment.
Dry eye is a clinical condition. A specialist can assess the quality of your tear film, examine your meibomian glands, and identify any underlying cause. Early treatment tends to produce much better results than waiting until symptoms become severe.
At Centre for Sight, our consultants have extensive experience in diagnosing and treating dry eye across our clinics in London, Surrey, and Sussex. We take a thorough, personalised approach because no two patients are exactly alike.
You Do Not Have to Put Up With Gritty Eyes
Dry eyes can feel like a minor inconvenience. But over time, they can affect your quality of life, your ability to concentrate, your sleep, and your comfort.
The good news is that effective treatments are available. You do not have to simply manage with eye drops for the rest of your life. Many patients find real, lasting relief with the right care.
If your eyes feel persistently dry, scratchy, or uncomfortable, book a consultation with Centre for Sight. We will get to the root of what is causing your symptoms and create a treatment plan that works for you.
