Morning vs. Night: When are Dry Eye Symptoms the Worst and Why?

If you wake up every morning feeling like your eyeballs were left out in the desert overnight, or if your eyes start feeling gritty and irritated right before bed, congratulations—you’re officially a dry eye sufferer.
 

But why do dry eyes act up at certain times of the day? And, more importantly, what can you do about it?

The Morning Struggle: Why Do My Eyes Feel Like Sandpaper?

Possible Culprits:

☑️ Nocturnal Lagophthalmos (a fancy term for sleeping with your eyes slightly open) – If your eyelids don’t fully close when you sleep, your eyes dry out. A humidifier or moisture chamber sleep mask might help.

☑️ Low Tear Production at Night – Your body slows down tear production while you sleep, so if you already struggle with dry eyes, mornings can feel extra rough.

☑️ Blepharitis & MGD (Meibomian Gland Dysfunction) – If your eyelid oil glands aren’t doing their job, your tears evaporate too quickly, and you wake up with irritated, crusty eyes. Warm compresses before bed can help keep things flowing.

Morning Solutions:

• Try a thicker nighttime lubricant (instead of regular artificial tears).
• Use a humidifier to add moisture to your bedroom.
• Wear a sleep mask (especially if your bedroom fan is blasting air at your face).
• Start your day with a warm compress to get those oil glands working.

The Evening Eye Burn: Why Are My Eyes Worse at Night?

Possible Culprits:

☑️ Screen Time Overload – Let’s be real—most of us stare at screens all day, blinking half as often as we should. Less blinking = drier eyes.

☑️ Air Conditioning or Heat – Whether it's the AC in the summer or the heater in the winter, both can dry out your eyes, especially if you sit near a vent.

☑️ Contact Lens Fatigue – If you wear contacts, by the end of the day, your eyes might be screaming for moisture.

Evening Solutions:

• Follow the 20-20-20 Rule – Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds. (Yes, this is a real thing, and yes, it actually helps.)
• Blink More! – Sounds silly, but consciously blinking while on screens helps spread your natural tears.
• Use preservative-free artificial tears throughout the day to keep your eyes happy.
• If you wear contacts, give your eyes a break and switch to glasses for the evening.

So… When Are Dry Eyes the Worst?

It depends on what’s causing them! If you struggle most in the morning, you might need more moisture overnight. If your eyes burn in the evening, it could be due to too much screen time, poor blinking habits, or environmental dryness.
 

Either way, don’t suffer in silence—dry eye relief exists! Schedule an appointment, and let’s figure out what’s making your eyes so cranky.  Call (859) 787-0936 or visit our office, 2020 Eyemax, in Lexington Kentucky to book an appointment today.