• The data was based on two separate surveys conducted on thousands of participants — In the U.S., the findings were based on a survey involving 2,003 adults conducted in April 2024.

Meanwhile, the European data came from an ongoing study including over 5,000 adults from the U.K., Germany, France, Poland, and Saudi Arabia, dubbed the “Needs Unmet in Dry Eye: Symptoms, Treatment and Severity’ (NESTS)” study, it included data from 2,580 adults in the general population and 2,572 dry eye sufferers taken in June 2025.

• The researchers found that more than half of Americans and Europeans report dry eye symptoms — Based on the U.S. survey, it affects 50% of American respondents, while the NESTS study found that 58% of Europeans deal with this condition. Yet only 17% (U.S.) to 20% (European) of patients have ever received a professional diagnosis or treatment. According to Dr. Piotr Wozniak, a refractive surgeon and dry eye specialist based in Warsaw, Poland:²

“Results from our studies reveal a substantial group of patients suffering without help. The European questionnaire explored why people don’t seek treatment. Many see dry eye as a normal part of aging and something to endure.

As a medical doctor, I find this particularly concerning because a simple eye drop could offer significant relief — but many people aren’t even asking for help.”

•  The surveys show that many individuals delay seeking care for months or even years — According to the NESTS study, 60% of Europeans with dry eyes waited at least four months before going to their healthcare provider, while 20% waited over a year before consulting a professional about their symptoms. As reported by Science Daily:

“Many sufferers stopped driving at night (17%), no longer wore makeup (14.8%), or reduced their use of heat or air conditioning (15.2%) due to their uncontrolled dry eye symptoms. One in three sufferers (34%) reported that their symptoms had worsened in the past year and only 9% said there had been an improvement.”

• The U.S. respondents were not so different — Despite 80% saying they experienced dry eye symptoms like fatigue and itchy or watery eyes, the survey found that 67% waited six months or more to consult with an eye specialist, while 31% waited two or more years.

• One reason for undertreatment is that dry eye presents with subtle and variable symptoms — You might feel burning or stinging one day and blurry vision the next, making it easy to dismiss the problem as temporary fatigue or allergies. Many people self-treat with over-the-counter drops, but these products are not always matched to the underlying cause — This leads to a cycle of trial and error without meaningful relief, which discourages further action.

• Another factor is the complexity of dry eye itself — The condition stems from two primary mechanisms. The first is evaporative dry eye, most commonly due to meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). When the tiny oil glands along your eyelids become blocked or inflamed, the protective lipid layer of the tear film breaks down, and tears evaporate too quickly.

The second is aqueous-deficient dry eye, where the lacrimal glands fail to produce enough watery tears to keep the eyes moist. In many cases, both processes occur together, creating a mixed presentation that requires more than one type of remedy.³

• Environmental and lifestyle trends amplify the problem — Prolonged screen use reduces blink rate, indoor HVAC systems lower humidity, and widespread contact lens wear increases tear instability. Hormonal changes, especially in postmenopausal women, further raise the risk. Medications such as antihistamines, antidepressants, and blood pressure drugs also dry the eyes, yet patients rarely connect these side effects with their eye symptoms.⁴

• Have blink breaks and follow the 20-20-20 rule — Digital devices are one of the strongest triggers for dry eye. The National Eye Institute (NEI) explains that prolonged screen use lowers blink rate, leaving the tear film unstable and prone to evaporation. To counter this, follow the 20-20-20 rule — Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds, and add three to five full, slow blinks. This resets the tear layer and reduces eye strain.

• Positioning matters, too — Keeping screens slightly below eye level also helps reduce tear evaporation, while maintaining at least an arm’s length distance prevents fatigue. Adjusting device settings — like increasing text size or using darker backgrounds — reduces the need to squint and stare, both of which worsen dryness.

• Adjust room humidity and airflow — Indoor environments often make dryness worse, especially if you’re using heating or air conditioning. Low humidity causes tears to evaporate quickly, leaving the eye surface unprotected. Aim to keep indoor humidity between 40% and 50%.

• Avoid direct airflow blowing into your eyes from car vents, desk fans, or office HVAC systems — If you can’t control airflow in shared spaces, reposition yourself or adjust the vent angle. In winter or in heavily air-conditioned environments, consider using a cool-mist humidifier for dry eyes — it restores balance and provides noticeable relief.

• Eyelid hygiene — Your eyelids house the meibomian glands, which secrete oils that keep tears from evaporating too quickly. When these glands are blocked, evaporative dry eye becomes more severe. A once-daily routine will support gland function — massage your lids with clean fingers after a warm shower, then follow with gentle lid wipes or a diluted cleanser designed for eyelid use.

People with greasy, flaky, or inflamed lids benefit most from this routine. Avoid heavy makeup along the lash line, which clogs the glands and worsens irritation. Consistency matters — results typically show after several weeks, not overnight.

The 5-Step Warm Compress Routine

1. Heat — Soak a clean washcloth in warm water. Always test the temperature on your wrist to prevent burns.

2. Apply — Close your eyes and rest the compress gently on your lids for five to 10 minutes.

3. Massage — With clean fingers, roll from the top lid downward and the bottom lid upward toward the lash line to help clear blocked glands.

4. Cleanse — Use a cotton pad or wipe to remove any oil or debris along the lid margins.

5. Lubricate — Apply artificial tears right after the compress, when the oils are flowing and the eye surface is primed to retain moisture. (National Eye Institute)

• Boost your omega-3s for dry eyes and other eye-related conditions — In one study involving more than 32,000 female participants between 45 and 84 years old, those with the lowest ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 (4-to-1 ratio or less) had a significantly lower risk of developing dry eye syndrome. Those with the highest ratio of omega-6 to omega-3) had a significantly higher risk.^9,10

Wild-caught fatty fish such as salmon, sardines, and anchovies provide bioavailable omega-3 fats that directly improve tear quality. Krill oil is another option. Krill oil has a unique combination — it not just offers omega-3 fats but is high in astaxanthin as well.

• Astaxanthin is also beneficial for eye health — Astaxanthin, a carotenoid produced by a form of microalgae, offers natural protection against ultraviolet light. It also acts as a powerful antioxidant that protects your eyes against macular degeneration, blindness, and cataracts.¹¹ Astaxanthin also boosts your immune system, decreases biomarkers linked to DNA oxidative damage, and protects against inflammation.¹²

Remember, however, that food-first is always the better strategy; supplements are best reserved for cases where diet alone cannot meet your needs.

• You can get vitamin A from healthy foods — This nutrient supports the ocular surface and the health of mucous membranes. Deficiency increases the risk of dry eye, making it important to include foods rich in vitamin A such as grass fed animal liver, pastured eggs, raw dairy, carrots, sweet potatoes, and leafy greens.

• N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) is a valuable nutrient as well — A derivative of the amino acid L-cysteine, NAC has antioxidant properties and is widely used to reduce the viscosity (consistency) of secretions in bronchopulmonary disorders.¹³ Ophthalmologists use it to treat corneal abrasions and ulcers, and dry eye.