eye feels like has sand and burns

my father's eyes feel like it has sand and burns once in a while....what could this be?

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

Read about dry eye syndrome by using search feature on this site.  These symptoms are very strongly suggestive of dry eyes.

MJK MD

[pswpma]

Your father most likely has dry eye syndrome. Mine lead to corneal erosion.  There is an explosion of research now on Lactoferrin for many purposes: ulcers, gastrointestinal flora balance, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, osteoporosis,  autoimmune disorders such as arthritis, dry eye syndrome, et al.
Here is a url that might interest you re dry eye syndrome:
http://abstracts.iovs.org/cgi/content/abstract/46/5/2046
This particular study used 270 mg per day.
If your father is elderly, this may be very helpful in so many ways.