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New research by eye health specialist, Scope Ophthalmics, has revealed that nearly two thirds of the population could be suffering from dry eyes without even knowing it, with three in five people experiencing multiple symptoms of dry eye disease, including eye fatigue, excessive watering, a gritty sensation or blurred vision.

Almost half of those surveyed said that having dry eye affects their work, as it forces them to take more frequent breaks, and third feel self conscious of the appearance of their eyes in front of colleagues.

For a third of sufferers, dry eye impacts on things they enjoy such as spending time outdoors, reading a book and watching a movie, while one in ten say that the problem affects their relationship with their partner.

Women are more likely than men to suffer with eye problems, with a quarter reporting that their eyes feel dry and gritty on a daily basis, and one in 10 waking up with sore eyes.

The survey also highlighted the nation's top 10 lifestyle habits that can negatively affect eye health:

1. Not resting eyes regularly when using screens (43 per cent)
2. Using a computer for more than six hours per day (40 per cent)
3. Watching television in the dark (39 per cent)
4. Not wearing sunglasses with high UV protection (38 per cent)
5. Drinking alcohol (28.3 per cent)
6. Spending a lot of time in air conditioned / heated environments (19 per cent)
7. Leaving make-up on overnight (10 per cent)
8. Using a smartphone or tablet in bed (12 per cent)
9. Sleeping in contact lenses (12 per cent)
10. Applying eye liner to the inner eye (seven per cent)

€These bad habits can have an impact on our eyes and cause our eyes to feel gritty, become excessively watery or make them appear red and sore. Although often dismissed, these symptoms can suggest dry eye syndrome which can be easily and effectively treated,€ said John Freyne, pharmacist and director of Scope Ophthalmics.