Why do I have a sense of discomfort and dryness in my eyes, as well as frequent tearing up and why does it worsen towards the end of the day?

The ocular dry syndrome is the most common reason for requesting an appointment with an ophthalmologist.

The surface of the eye, bathed by the tear film, is the first defence against any aggression (environmental pollution, extreme temperatures, solar radiation, etc.). With age and hormonal changes, the tear film is altered, causing ocular dryness; other times, the consumption of prescription drugs, immunological diseases or blepharitis, can be the cause of this syndrome.

Symptoms range from foreign body sensation, photophobia and tearing up to visual impairment. The treatment includes addressing the reason behind the dryness if possible, using tear substitutes and lacrimal punctum occlusion so that the tear remains in contact with the eye, among others, for as long as possible.