Gritty, burning, tired eyes by the end of the day? Many people in Pakistan blame load shedding, dust or too much mobile use, and they are often right. The medical name is dry eyes, and in Urdu most families simply call it aankhon ki khushki. It is common, usually manageable, and also one of the most misunderstood problems when it comes to eye drops. This guide explains what is going on, which habits help, and what to ask your doctor or pharmacist before buying drops.
Dry eyes do not always feel dry. Some people get a sandy or scratchy feeling, as if a grain of dust is stuck under the lid. Others notice burning, redness, heavy eyelids, blurry vision that clears when they blink, or strangely watery eyes. Yes, watery. When the surface of the eye is irritated, it can flood itself with thin tears that do not protect it well, so you end up with tears and dryness together.
Symptoms often get worse in the evening, in air conditioned rooms, in windy weather, and during long stretches of reading or screen work. In winter, heaters and dry air make it worse for many people.
The tear film on your eye has a watery layer and an oily layer. If either is poor, tears evaporate too quickly. Some everyday reasons include:
If you take regular medicines and your eyes have become dry, mention it to your doctor instead of stopping anything yourself.
A few small changes make a surprising difference. Try the 20-20-20 habit: every 20 minutes, look at something far away for 20 seconds, and blink fully a few times. Keep the screen slightly below eye level so your eyelids cover more of the eye surface. Point fans and AC vents away from your face. Drink enough water through the day. A warm, clean compress held on closed eyelids for a few minutes can help loosen the oily secretions in the lid glands. Wash hands before touching your eyes, and do not rub them.
Lubricating eye drops, often called artificial tears, are the usual first step for mild dry eyes. They come in different thicknesses. Thin drops feel comfortable but may need frequent use. Thicker gels and ointments last longer but can blur vision for a while, so many people keep them for bedtime. Single-use vials have no preservative, which is useful if you need drops many times a day or have sensitive eyes. Multi-dose bottles usually contain a preservative, and with very frequent use that can irritate some eyes.
You can browse our Eye Care range for lubricating drops and other eye products. Always check the label and expiry, and do not share bottles with family members. After opening, follow the discard time written on the pack, because an old bottle can carry germs.
This is where people get into trouble. The popular whitening or get-the-red-out drops can make redness come back worse once they wear off. Steroid eye drops should only be used on a doctor’s advice, because they can raise eye pressure and worsen infections. Antibiotic drops are for infections, not for dryness. If your eyes are red, painful, sticky or sensitive to light, read our guide on Red Eyes (Aankhon ki Laali): Causes, Eye Drops and When to See a Doctor first, because that picture can point to something other than simple dryness. Prescription items can be sent through our upload prescription page.
Itchy, watery, red eyes with sneezing often point to allergy rather than dryness. Our article on Allergy Medicines Explained (Antihistamines): Which One and When explains how antihistamines work, but note that some of them can dry the eyes further. A doctor can help you separate the two.
Do not wait if you have severe pain, sudden vision change, a lot of discharge, a feeling of something stuck that does not go away, or an eye injury. Also see a doctor if dryness continues for weeks despite using drops and changing habits, because conditions such as eyelid gland problems or autoimmune diseases sometimes sit behind it.
Screens do not usually cause permanent damage, but they do cause strain and dryness. Breaks and blinking help.
Plain lubricating drops are not addictive. Medicated drops, especially redness relievers, can cause rebound redness if overused.
It is a common home habit, but it is not sterile and may irritate the eye. Use products made for eyes.
Yes, with long screen time or allergy. A child with rubbing or frequent blinking should be checked.
Disclaimer: This article is for general awareness only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult a doctor or pharmacist before using any eye drops or medicine.
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