Dry Eye Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment Options in Nepal
- Dry Eye Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes and Eye Assessment in Nepal
- Quick Answer
- Common Dry-Eye Symptoms
- Why Dry Eye Can Develop
- What an Eye Assessment May Include
- Practical Comfort Measures
- When to Seek Urgent Medical Eye Care
- Professional Scope and Referral
- Authoritative Reference
- Arrange an Eye Assessment
Dry Eye Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes and Eye Assessment in Nepal
Quick Answer
Dry eye happens when the eyes do not make enough tears or when the tear film does not keep the eye surface adequately wet. Common symptoms include burning, scratchiness, redness, light sensitivity and intermittent blurred vision. Persistent symptoms need a professional eye assessment because contact-lens problems, eyelid conditions, medicines and other eye disorders can feel similar.
In Kathmandu and worried about your eyes?
Book an eye exam (NPR 400 ≈ US$3) with our English-speaking optometrists in Lazimpat, Boudha or Makalbari — exams by appointment; optical shops open daily 8 AM – 8:30 PM. Card & cash accepted.
Written by Rina Chaudhary. Medically reviewed by Yadav Raut, Consultant Optometrist (M.Optom, Norway). Last reviewed: 17 September 2026.
Common Dry-Eye Symptoms
- Burning, stinging or a gritty feeling
- Redness or irritation
- Watery eyes, which can occur as a response to irritation
- Blurred or fluctuating vision
- Light sensitivity
- Discomfort during screen use or contact-lens wear
Symptoms alone cannot confirm the cause. An eye-care professional should assess symptoms that continue, recur frequently or interfere with reading, driving, work or contact-lens wear.
Why Dry Eye Can Develop
Dry eye can occur when tear production is reduced, tears evaporate too quickly or the tear film is unstable. Age, contact-lens wear, prolonged screen use, smoke, wind, air conditioning, eyelid or oil-gland problems, some medicines and certain health conditions may contribute. The correct management depends on the underlying cause.
What an Eye Assessment May Include
An assessment may review symptoms, screen habits, contact-lens use, medicines and health history. Depending on the case and available equipment, the clinician may examine the eyelids and eye surface and assess tear quantity, tear quality or how quickly tears evaporate. Vision Concern can provide an initial eye and contact-lens comfort assessment. Confirm specific dry-eye tests before booking. Findings that require medical diagnosis or prescription treatment should be referred to an ophthalmologist or appropriate medical professional.
Practical Comfort Measures
- Take regular breaks during prolonged screen use and blink fully.
- Avoid direct smoke, wind and strong air-conditioning where possible.
- Use a humidifier if indoor air is very dry.
- Wear wraparound sunglasses outdoors in dusty or windy conditions.
- Follow professional instructions for contact-lens wear, cleaning and replacement.
- Ask an eye-care professional whether lubricating drops are appropriate, especially if you use contact lenses or need drops frequently.
Do not assume that every red, painful or watery eye is dry eye. Infection, inflammation, injury and contact-lens complications require different care.
When to Seek Urgent Medical Eye Care
Seek urgent ophthalmic or hospital care for sudden vision loss, severe eye pain, chemical exposure, penetrating injury, a very painful red eye, or flashes and a curtain-like shadow in the vision. These are not routine dry-eye symptoms and should not wait for a standard optical appointment.
Professional Scope and Referral
Vision Concern is an eye clinic and optical centre, not an inpatient surgical hospital. The team can assess vision, eye-surface comfort and contact-lens factors and can guide referral when symptoms or examination findings are outside the clinic scope.
For patient information on symptoms, diagnosis and management, see the National Eye Institute dry-eye guide.
Arrange an Eye Assessment
Confirm appointment and test availability before visiting.
📍 Lazimpat | Boudha-Tushal | Makalbari
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In Kathmandu and worried about your eyes?
Book an eye exam (NPR 400 ≈ US$3) with our English-speaking optometrists in Lazimpat, Boudha or Makalbari — exams by appointment; optical shops open daily 8 AM – 8:30 PM. Card & cash accepted.
Yes. Many visitors, particularly from Bangladesh and West Bengal (Kolkata), come to Nepal for cataract, retina, or other eye surgery at a hospital and also want new glasses, a general eye exam, or contact lenses at the same time, before or after their procedure. Vision Concern is an optical and eye-examination clinic, not a surgical hospital, so we work alongside hospitals such as Tilganga: we are happy to see you for glasses, contact lenses, or a routine check-up either side of your surgical treatment elsewhere.
No conversion is needed. Eyeglass prescriptions from Germany, France, the UK, the USA, China, Russia, and almost every other country use the same international format, SPH (sphere), CYL (cylinder), and AXIS, measured in diopters. Our opticians read this directly, so you can bring your prescription paper, a photo of it on your phone, or simply your current glasses, and we will use the same values. If your prescription is more than a year or two old, we recommend a quick, free re-check before we make your new pair.
Yes. Above roughly 3,000 metres, UV exposure increases sharply because of the thinner atmosphere and reflection off snow, and ordinary sunglasses (category 2-3) do not block enough UV to prevent snow blindness (photokeratitis). We recommend glacier glasses or category-4 sunglasses with side shields, and can fit these with your own prescription if needed. Vision Concern offers ZEISS polarized, UV400-certified sunglasses with prescription lenses, which we can prepare before you set off on your trek.