An Optometrist’s Guide to Dry Eyes: What Actually Works (And What’s Making It Worse)

If you’ve ever wondered why are my eyes so dry, you’re not alone. Dry, gritty, irritated eyes are one of the most common — and most misunderstood — eye complaints out there. We asked our founder and optometrist Nicola Alexander-Cross to break down what actually causes dry eyes, what helps, and why so many common fixes are making things worse.

What Causes Dry Eyes?

Your tear film has three layers: an oily outer layer (produced by tiny meibomian glands along your eyelids), a watery middle layer, and a mucus layer underneath. When any part of that system breaks down, you get that burning, gritty, heavy-eyed feeling.

The causes are usually a mix of things rather than one single trigger: air conditioning and heating, contact lenses, certain medications (antihistamines, antidepressants, blood pressure meds, oral contraceptives), screen time, hormonal changes, and age.

“Most people don’t realize how much their environment and daily habits affect their eye comfort. Simple changes like taking regular screen breaks and keeping the eye area clean and hydrated can make a real difference.”
— Nicola Alexander-Cross, BSc MCOptom, Optometrist & Founder of Peep Club

Screen Time and Dry Eyes

We blink around 15–20 times per minute normally, but that drops to as few as 5–7 when we’re staring at a screen. Less blinking means tears evaporate faster and the meibomian glands get congested. It’s now one of the leading causes of dry eye symptoms in people under 40.

The simplest fix is the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Other things that help: positioning your screen slightly below eye level, bumping up text size, using a humidifier, and taking deliberate full blinks throughout the day.

Why Most Eye Drops Make It Worse

Most over-the-counter drops contain preservatives — usually benzalkonium chloride (BAK) — that are toxic to the eye surface with repeated use. If you’re using preserved drops multiple times a day, you may be sustaining the very cycle of irritation you’re trying to break.

And then there are whitening drops, which are in a category of their own.

“Many patients, especially those in office jobs, report that they love the whitening effect so much they rely on the drops daily — and who can blame them, we’d all like the eyes of someone who’s slept 9 hours a night. But that kind of use is certainly unhealthy for two reasons; first these drops contain preservatives that have been clinically proven time and again to cause long-term irritation and dryness to the eye — inviting with it increased sensitivity and allergies. Second, these specific drops can cause ‘secondary hyperemia’ or ‘rebound redness’ which means that the blood vessels rebel from being constricted so often and end up looking redder than they did before using the drops and rendering the drops themselves ineffective at relieving this worse appearance.”
— Nicola Alexander-Cross, BSc MCOptom, Optometrist & Founder of Peep Club

“Speak to your local optometrist about the underlying cause of your lingering redness — they should be able to differentiate between if it is an allergy, dry eyes, screen fatigue or possibly something that actually needs more attention like a bacterial or viral infection. There are other eye drops that can cause your eyes to be whiter and brighter, by tackling the source of the redness itself, rather than just the appearance. A good preservative-free dry eye drop or spray (like our Instant Relief Eye Spray) will reduce the appearance of redness while also helping protect the eye itself and improving eye comfort — an all-round win.”
— Nicola Alexander-Cross, BSc MCOptom, Optometrist & Founder of Peep Club

Even when the formula is right, drops can be tricky to use. Many people miss, blink them out, or find them running down their face — especially glasses and contact lens wearers. A spray-on format removes that hassle entirely.

“So many people struggle with eye drops. They miss, they blink, or the drops run straight down their face. An eye spray removes all of that hassle. You simply spray it onto closed eyes and let it do the work. It’s one of the easiest ways to keep your eyes feeling comfortable throughout the day.”
— Nicola Alexander-Cross, BSc MCOptom, Optometrist & Founder of Peep Club

Warm Compresses: The Most Underrated Step

When the oils in your meibomian glands thicken up, those glands get blocked — and that’s behind the majority of dry eye cases. Gentle, sustained warmth is one of the best ways to soften those oils and get them flowing again.

“A warm compress applies gentle heat to the eyelid area. This warmth helps soften the natural oils in the tiny glands along your eyelids, called meibomian glands, encouraging them to flow more freely. These oils are an essential part of your tear film — they form the outer layer that prevents your tears from evaporating too quickly. When the oils flow well, your eyes stay more comfortable and hydrated.”
— Nicola Alexander-Cross, BSc MCOptom, Optometrist & Founder of Peep Club

The catch: you need sustained warmth at around 40°C for 8–10 minutes. A warm washcloth cools in about 30 seconds — which is why most people give up on compresses before they get results.

“I always recommend warm compresses to my patients, but the truth is most people don’t do them because they’re such a commitment — to have to sit with your eyes closed under a heated eye mask for 20 minutes every day! Also a warm washcloth cools down in about 30 seconds. You need sustained, consistent warmth for it to be effective. That’s why we designed the Heated Eye Wand. It takes the guesswork out of it and makes it something you’ll actually stick with.”
— Nicola Alexander-Cross, BSc MCOptom, Optometrist & Founder of Peep Club

“After a long day on screens, your eyes need a proper wind-down. The combination of sustained warmth and gentle massage helps relax tired eyes and supports the natural oil flow that gets disrupted during the day. Many of our customers tell us it’s become their favorite part of their evening routine — it’s a few minutes of genuine self-care that your eyes can actually feel the benefit of.”
— Nicola Alexander-Cross, BSc MCOptom, Optometrist & Founder of Peep Club

Hormones and Dry Eyes

Hormonal changes — particularly during perimenopause and menopause — directly affect both the volume and quality of your tears. Falling oestrogen levels impact the glands responsible for tear production, which is why dry eyes are one of the most common (and most overlooked) menopause symptoms.

“Dry eyes have long affected millions of women, especially those in perimenopause and menopause due to hormonal changes, but it also now affects millions of younger women and men because of increased screen use. Our research revealed that 80% of people now experience dry eye symptoms even though only 33% have been diagnosed with Dry Eye Disease, which worsens if untreated.”
— Nicola Alexander-Cross, BSc MCOptom, Optometrist & Founder of Peep Club

If you’re perimenopausal or postmenopausal and noticing new or worsening dryness, it’s worth raising with your optometrist. It’s not something you have to just put up with.

Ingredients to Watch Out For

It’s not just preservatives. Things like fragrances, certain waxes (beeswax can block meibomian glands), talcum powder, and alcohol are all known eye irritants that show up in everyday eye and skincare products.

“The first step in innovation, which turned out to be extremely challenging, was experimenting how to safely make products without known eye irritants. It’s not just preservatives — it’s things like talcum powder, alcohol, fragrance and wax, as certain waxes like beeswax can block meibomian glands. What actually makes products most innovative is what’s not in them versus what’s in them.”
— Nicola Alexander-Cross, BSc MCOptom, Optometrist & Founder of Peep Club

This is why Peep Club was built to be free from all 200+ known eye irritants — not just the obvious ones.

“Most people have never moisturized their eyelids. They moisturize their face, their under-eyes, their neck, but they skip the thinnest, most delicate skin on their entire body. Once people start using a dedicated eyelid moisturizer, they can’t believe the difference it makes to how their eyes look and feel.”
— Nicola Alexander-Cross, BSc MCOptom, Optometrist & Founder of Peep Club

A Simple Daily Eye Care Routine

The best approach to dry eye comfort isn’t one product — it’s a consistent routine. Here’s what Nicola recommends.

“Looking after your eyes doesn’t have to be complicated. A simple daily routine that includes cleansing, warmth, and hydration can make your eyes feel noticeably more comfortable.”
— Nicola Alexander-Cross, BSc MCOptom, Optometrist & Founder of Peep Club

Morning

1. Cleanse the eyelid area with a gentle, eye-safe cleanser like the Soothing Coconut Eye Balm.
2. Hydrate with a preservative-free eye spray like the Instant Relief Eye Spray.
3. Protect the lids with the Eye Rescue Lidstick if dryness or flakiness is a concern.

Evening

1. Remove makeup and cleanse with the Soothing Coconut Eye Balm — no rubbing needed.
2. Apply warmth with the Heated Eye Wand LED+ for 8–10 minutes, followed by gentle massage.
3. Hydrate and nourish with the Eye Rescue Lidstick and a preservative-free spray before bed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my eyes so dry even though I drink plenty of water?

Hydration helps, but dry eyes are usually about the quality of your tear film rather than water intake. Blocked meibomian glands are the most common underlying cause. Warm compresses and eyelid hygiene are typically more effective than drinking more water.

What helps dry eyes most quickly?

A preservative-free eye spray can soothe immediately. For longer-lasting improvement, a consistent warm compress routine (8–10 minutes daily) tends to produce noticeable results within a few days to two weeks.

Do warm compresses actually help dry eyes?

Yes — they’re one of the most evidence-backed approaches for dry eye comfort. The warmth softens oils in the meibomian glands so they flow more freely. The key is sustained heat — a washcloth cools too fast, which is why purpose-built warming devices tend to deliver more consistent results.

Does menopause cause dry eyes?

Yes. Falling oestrogen and androgen levels during perimenopause and menopause affect both tear volume and tear quality. It’s one of the most common menopause symptoms — and one of the most overlooked. Worth raising with your optometrist if you’re experiencing it.

Why don’t eye drops work for my dry eyes?

Often it’s the preservatives. Drops containing benzalkonium chloride can worsen irritation with regular use. Drops also only address the surface — if the underlying issue is blocked meibomian glands, warmth and eyelid hygiene are needed too. Redness-relief drops are a separate problem entirely, as they can cause rebound redness.

Can screen time cause dry eyes?

Yes. Screen use reduces blink rate from 15–20 blinks per minute to as few as 5–7, causing tears to evaporate faster. The 20-20-20 rule, deliberate blinking, and a consistent evening warm compress routine are the most effective strategies.

Are preservative-free eye drops better?

For anyone using drops regularly or with existing sensitivity, yes. The preservatives in conventional drops — particularly benzalkonium chloride — have been repeatedly shown to damage the eye surface with repeated exposure.

What are the best home remedies for dry eyes?

The ones with the strongest evidence: warm compresses for 8–10 minutes daily, gentle eyelid massage, regular eyelid cleansing, preservative-free drops or sprays, screen breaks, and a humidifier in dry environments. They work best as a combined daily routine.

The Bottom Line

Dry eyes are not something you have to live with. Whether your symptoms come from screen time, hormonal changes, your environment, or a combination of all three, a consistent daily routine — cleanse, warm, hydrate — can make a real difference. And the products you use around your eyes matter more than you’d think. Preservatives, fragrances, and certain waxes can quietly keep the cycle of irritation going.

If your symptoms are persistent or getting worse, see a registered optometrist. Professional guidance early on makes a real difference.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The information provided does not replace professional eye care consultation. Peep Club products are cosmetic and personal care products — they are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you are experiencing persistent eye discomfort or changes in vision, please consult a qualified eye care professional.