An estimated 17-30 per cent of people will experience dry eyes in their life, according to the NHS. As a result, the eye care market is a growing business in the UK and dry eye products equate to a quarter of the total sales.

Dry eye syndrome is when your eyes do not make enough tears, or your tears evaporate too quickly. This can lead to your eyes drying out, and becoming inflamed. Dry eyes are more common nowadays because of the increase in the use of computers, central heating and air conditioning.

If a patient comes into your pharmacy complaining their eyes are feeling dry, gritty, sore and it gets worse as the day goes on, then they are most likely suffering from dry eyes. Some patients suffering from dry eyes may also have redness in the eye, their eyes will water, particularly when exposed to wind and their eyelids will stick when they get up from sleep..

Ashish Patel, director and optometrist at Watney Eyecare Ophthalmic Opticians, says pharmacists should NOT dispense eye drops to patients they think are suffering from dry eyes and should instead ask them to visit their optometrist, who has the expertise and equipment needed to diagnose how dry the eyes are and what medication is needed.

Also, reccomending dry eye sufferes to put water in their eyes will not help. Tears are created in the eyes thanks to a layer called the tear film which is in front of the cornea. The tear film is made up of three layers, the main middle watery layer, the thin outer lipid (oily) layer, and the thin inner mucus layer.

It is the main middle watery layer which creates tears in the eyes, but when people suffer from dry eyes, it is due to problems with the the thin outer lipid (oily) layer. Tiny glands in the eyelids make a small amount of an oily liquid which covers the outer layer of the tear film. This layer helps to keep the tear surface smooth and to reduce evaporation of the watery tears.

In dry eye suffers, these glands which produce the oil get blocked and this layer will be unable to do its job of keeping the tears intact and stopping them from evaporating. The eyes will continue create tears, but the problems with the thin outer oily layer of the tear film will lead to symptoms of dry eyes.

Mild to moderate cases of dry eyes can usually be treated with eye drops that contain tear substitutes, a liquid that is designed to mimic the properties of tears. Pharmacists can sell these drops over-the-counter without prescription. There are a variety of different types of eye drops and there is usually no harm in changing products if one doesn’t work.

From his close to two decades in optometry, Ashish has found the Systane eye drops by Alcon, is the best product in dealing with dry eyes. It has a unique liquid formulation which turns into a gel on contact with the eyes and stays on the surface longer providing fast and long lasting relief. It also is usable for up to six months.

Japanese company Rohto Pharmaceutical Co. are the kings of the eye care market in their homeland and now they have brought their products to the UK with great success. The revolutionary Rohto Dry Eye Relief is a clinically proven eye-drop treatment that uses a natural bi-polymer called HydraMed to rapidly relieve dry, gritty eye sensations. This product has been shown to improve the condition of the tear film and ocular surface, so that in less than one month of regular use, the eyes feel more comfortable

HydraMed, is an advanced patented formulation of two active ingredients – Hyaluronic Acid (HA), and Tamarind Seed Polysaccharide (TSP). The HydraMed formulation mimics the behaviour of natural human tears, becoming less viscous and sticky during a blink and more viscous between blinks - this allows easy blinking without stickiness. HydraMed’s fluid-retaining properties mean that water loss from the tear film is minimised, so the formula stays on the eye for longer.

For those people who are reluctant to put drops into their eyes, Optrex have introduced the excellent Actimist Eye Spray. The best thing about the spray is it is used with your eyes closed. The ActiMist collects in the corner of the eyelids, and is transferred to the eye surface during the natural eyelid movements of blinking.

Because it is a spray you can use it at any time, including when wearing contact lenses or even make-up. Another plus is that you don’t need to touch your eye, so there is no risk of infection and is ideal for people who find it very difficult to touch their eyes and also for the elderly.

Ashish also recommends his patients to close their eyes and use hot compresses to combat dry eyes. Hot compresses are good because they make your eyes feel better for awhile. But even more importantly, they are good for your eyes and your tears because they start loosening up any congealed oil glands in the eyelid. The easiest form of hot compress is to use a cloth and put it in hot water and then leave it on the eye lids.

If dry eyes go untreated for a long time then it can lead to eye infections, which are medically known as conjunctivitis. There are three types of conjunctivitis: irritant, allergic, and infective.

Cases of irritant conjunctivitis happen when things like chlorine or eyelashes get into the eyes. Infective conjunctivitis can be caused by a virus, bacteria or, in rare cases, by a sexually transmitted infection such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea, while allergic conjunctivitis occurs when your eye comes into contact with an ‘allergen’. An allergen is a particular substance that makes your body’s immune system react abnormally, causing irritation and inflammation in the affected body part.

Patients suffering from an eye infection will complain of sticky eyes, which means they will feel like their eyelids are shut together when they wake up first thing the morning. The eyes may feel gritty and sore, although in general the vision shouldn’t be effected. If a patient does get blurred/loss of vision or pain in the eye, photophobia (sensitivity to light), intense redness in your eyes, then they should immediately seek medical help.

Ashish reccomends his patients to use Optrex Infected Eyes drops when they are diagnosed with conjunctivitis. These eye drops contain chloramphenicol and should only be used during the daytime. Pharmacists should make sure their customers are made aware that they should wash their hands before using this product and not to use it for more than five days, in which time the infection should have cleared – if it hasn’t then the patient should go to their GP or optometrist.

It is important that people suffering from an eye infection are advised to regularly wash their hands to prevent the spread of infection. They should also not use contact lenses or eye makeup until the infection has fully cleared up.

There is some evidence that eating a diet that is high in omega-3 fats can help prevent dry eye syndrome as omega-3 fats are used in the production of tears. The best source of omega-3 fats are oily fish, such as mackerel, salmon, sardines, tuna, and herring. People should eat at least two portions of oily fish a week.

Recent research also indicates that Omega-3 fatty acids, most notably Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and (Eicosapentaenoic acid) EPA, may play an important role in maintaining eye health as we age. DHA is contained in special cells in the retina known as photoreceptors, responsible for converting light into nerve signals. Therefore adequate levels of DHA must be maintained in the retina for it to continue to function properly and to maintain clarity of vision.

A reduced level or the absence of lutein in the eye determines age related macular degeneration (AMD). Intakes of lutein is associated with a decreased risk of AMD. Lutein also acts as a filter to protect the macula from damaging forms of light.

Vitabiotics Visionace range are a comprehensive, research based nutritional supplement designed to help maintain healthy eyes and vision. The research tested formula contains balanced levels of antioxidant vitamins, bilberry extract, natural carotenoids, and minerals such as selenium and zinc, plus Lutemax® lutein esters, which are all vital for the health of the eye.

Th new Visionace Plus is an advanced new supplement with lutein enriched Omega-3. This supplement combines the original best selling Visionace tablet with an Omega-3 capsule with extra lutein.Leading eye care experts Optrex give the following tips for the general well-being of eyes.

Get plenty of sleep, as this will revitalise your eyes and face.

Drinking lots of water is good for your eyes too; because it helps them stay hydrated.

And don’t forget carrots - they’re packed with a nutrient that converts to Vitamin A.

Go for regular eye check-ups to make sure your vision and your eyes are at their best.

If you wear contact lenses, always follow your optician’s advised hygiene routine and try using a dry eye spray or drops before your eyes start to feel irritated.

If you work at a computer, remember to take regular breaks so that your eyes don’t get strained or tired. And reduce the screen brightness or use a screen shield, as glare can dry your eyes.

In winter, turn your central heating down a little - you’ll save money and help stop your eyes drying out!

If you go swimming, wear goggles to stop chlorine irritating your eyes.

Always wear safety glasses when doing DIY or gardening to protect eyes from injury or dust particles.