Buying eye drops can is one of the best treatments for dry eyes; a simple and cheap one is hypermellose, but it contains preservative that you can be sensitive to and is watery and doesn't stay in the eye for very long.

The latest generation of 'artificial tears' are advanced formulas that tend to condition the cornea and stay in the eye for longer thereby giving more relief with little risk of sensitivity.

Recommended brands include Systane Ultra, Hyabak, Ocusan, Lubristil, Hydromor, Clinitas and Blink - your optician is the best person to go to for recommendations. Once or twice a day may not be sufficient - use them as frequently as you feel is required.

It's also worth bathing your closed eyes with a hot compress, like a face flannel rinsed under hot water and do this three or four times a day. This will help stimulate the secretory glands under your eyelids and help improve the quality of your tears.