Your survival guide for treating persistent dry eyes

November 12, 2025 at 09:01 AM EST

(BPT) - Do you regularly experience watery eyes? Believe it or not, this may be a sign of dry eyes. When your eyes aren't properly lubricated, they can become irritated and can sometimes overproduce tears to soothe them. Other signs that you may be suffering from dry eyes include:

A scratchy feeling
Tired eyes
Stinging or burning
Light sensitivity
Itchiness

While you can't always prevent dry eyes, you can take steps to mitigate irritation and feel more comfortable as you go about your day. TheraTears^® - a leader in dry eye symptom relief - offers a few strategies to hydrate and soothe dry eyes.

Use a humidifier

Dry air may be one of the main culprits behind your dry eyes. In fact, according to Optometrists Network, dry air in the house or office is one of the leading causes of dry eye symptoms. Luckily, this is a fairly easy issue to fix.

A simple yet effective way to soothe and prevent dry eyes is to use a humidifier. By releasing moisture into the air, a humidifier creates a more comfortable environment for your eyes and helps keep them hydrated. Look for a humidifier or two to keep in your bedroom, office and other indoor spaces where you spend most of your time.

Use quality eye drops

Your tear film - the thin layer of liquid that covers the surface of the eye - is a delicate ecosystem. When that ecosystem is out of balance, your eyes lose water, leading to dry, burning and itchy eyes. Using over-the-counter eye drops is a great way to restore balance in your eyes and feel quick relief.

Two bottles of TheraTears eye drops on a blue background.

That said, not any eye drop will do. Choose a product that mimics natural tears like TheraTears^® Dry Eye Therapy. This one-of-a-kind, doctor-created lubricating eye drop is formulated with OxyLytes™, a proprietary blend of the five vital electrolytes found in natural tears. The formula restores your tear film's balance, hydrates and soothes dry eyes and provides them with long-lasting relief.

Remember to hydrate

Are you drinking enough water? When you're dehydrated, your body doesn't have enough fluids to keep your eyes well-lubricated. Aim to drink eight to 10 glasses of water every day to stay hydrated and take care of your overall wellness, including your eye health. If you've found it difficult to remember to drink water, set alarms on your phone as a reminder and get into the habit of carrying a reusable water bottle with you throughout the day.

Take a screen break

Did you know that screens can cause dry eyes? According to Nebraska Medicine, there's growing evidence that staring at screens for long periods reduces blinking, which is crucial to maintaining hydrated eyes.

You don't have to get rid of screens completely to manage your dry eye symptoms. Instead, take recurrent screen breaks following the 20-20-20 rule. For every 20 minutes you look at a screen, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Incorporating more frequent blinking will also help. So, whether you're scrolling on your phone, working on your laptop or relaxing in front of the television, give your eyes a rest.

Woman sitting on the couch at home using her cell phone and looking at a bottle of eye drops on a near by coffee table.

Managing dry eyes doesn't have to be difficult or time-consuming. Using these simple tips, you can soothe your dry eyes and create habits that prevent additional irritation. To learn more about the dry eye symptoms and how to treat them, visit TheraTears.com.