Three telltale signs you have dry eyes

No more tears left to cry? It could be more than that. Dry eyes can lead to irritation and damage, with common symptoms including burning sensations, roughness, and tiredness. Ignoring dry eyes can result in redness and discomfort, exacerbated by environmental factors like heat and pollution. This is AI-generated. Read the article for full context. Report any errors. Editor’s note: This content is sponsored by Eye Mo and was produced by BrandRap, the sales and marketing arm of Rappler. No member of the news and editorial team participated in the production of this piece. It’s easy to forget about the importance of eye care especially as we go through our busy daily routines. Many of us spend over eight hours each day looking at screens for work and during our downtime. You could be dealing with dry eyes already. Why not give your eyes a break? What are signs of dry eyes? Remember the saying that goes “at the end of the day, you’re all you have?” That holds true for our eyes, as they do the work to protect themselves – eyes produce tears to lubricate themselves. When our eyes are dry, it means they’re not producing good quality tears, or the tears they produce just aren’t doing their job. This can end up causing irritation and even damage to the surface of our eyes. TL;DR: our eyes need to stay moist to be healthy. Here are three common symptoms of dry eyes—perhaps a cry for help from your eyes. Burning or stinging sensation (mahapding mata) – This discomfort happens when your eyes don’t produce enough tears, or when the tears evaporate too quickly, leading to an itchy or stinging sensation. Eyes feel rough (magaspang na mata) – When your eyes are dry, it feels as if dust or a foreign object is stuck in them and won’t come out. Tired eyes (pagod na mata) – Are your eyes still feeling sleepy even after a full eight hours of sleep? It’s a sign from your eyes telling you it’s time to moisturize! If these symptoms are often ignored, your eyes don’t just stay dry – they get irritated. When dry turns to red Ignore dry eyes long enough, and every blink starts to feel like a sandpaper scratching the surface of your eye. That constant friction causes your eyes to get irritated, leaving the tiny vessels in your eyes swollen. This turns that dryness into noticeable redness. Combine the scorching Philippine heat and humidity with a grueling Metro Manila commute packed with dust, smoke, and pollution, our eyes end up taking a constant beating. Maybe it’s the reason why some of us step out of the MRT or carousel bus looking like they’ve just cried. Taking care of your eyes It’s hard to lessen your screen time especially during work hours, but make sure to give your eyes a break. A 20-20-20 rule can help by focusing your eyes on something else that’s about 20 feet away for 20 seconds, and do that every 20 minutes. For a longer break, take a quick walk, talk to a friend, or even stand up and stretch your body, as long as your eyes are not staring at your screen or reading anything for a while. Blinking often also helps as it aids tear production. Meanwhile, drinking water and being hydrated is also a must! Whatever feeling your eyes might have – itchy, burning, and has a sandy-like texture, refrain from scratching and touching them as it would damage your eyes further. And even when you’re out of tears, it’s okay to seek help from artificial tears! Using eye drops to combat and relieve chronic dry eyes. Soothe your eyes So which Eye Mo matches your eyes’ needs today? If your eyes are starting to feel dry, help restore moisture with Hypromellose (Eye Mo Moisturizing Formula). Containing 3 mg of Hypromellose, just 2 to 3 drops in each eye help lubricate and moisturize the eyes. If heat and your daily commute leave your eyes looking red, cool your eyes down with the new Tetrahydrozoline HCl (Eye Mo Cool Red Eyes) which contains Tetrahydrozoline HCl and a cool menthol sensation to help relieve eye redness and refresh your eyes. Hypromellose (Eye Mo Moisturizing) formula and Tetrahydrozoline HCI (Eye Mo Cool Red Eyes) can be bought without a prescription, so there should be no excuse for taking better care of your eyes. #MoistUrEyes #REFRESHandRECHARGE #CoolngEyeMo Give your eyes the rest they need after a long and tiring day! Even the famous English playwright and poet William Shakespeare knows the importance of the eyes – as his famous quote goes – “The eyes are the window to the soul.” If dry or red eye symptoms persist, consult your doctor. – Rappler.com ASC Ref. Code: I0092N081826E Sources: All About Vision (2020, April 27). 5 treatments for tired eyes. Retrieved August 20, 2026, from https://www.allaboutvision.com/treatments-and-surgery/remedies/ways-relieve-tired-eyes/ Cleveland Clinic (2022, November 2). Tear System (Lacrimal Apparatus). Retrieved August 20, 2026, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/24415-lacrimal-apparatus Cleveland Clinic (2025, June 20). Dry Eyes. Retrieved August 20, 2026, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24479-dry-eye Cleveland Clinic (2023, January 23). Red Eye. Retrieved August 20, 2026, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/17690-red-eye How does this make you feel? Loading