Dry Eye Guide
Dry eye is a common condition that occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or the right type of tears to keep the surface of your eyes well-lubricated. Tears are essential for keeping your eyes comfortable, clear, and healthy. When there’s a lack of adequate moisture, you can experience discomfort, vision problems, and in some cases, inflammation.
Signs & Symptoms of Dry Eye
Dry, gritty, or sandy feeling in the eyes
Burning or stinging sensation
Redness and irritation
Watery eyes (a paradoxical response to dryness)
Blurry or fluctuating vision
Sensitivity to light
Difficulty wearing contact lenses
Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may worsen in certain environments, like air-conditioned rooms or while using digital devices for prolonged periods.
Causes of Dry Eye
Dry eye can be caused by various factors, including:
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD): The most common cause of dry eye. When the glands in your eyelids (meibomian glands) don’t produce enough oil, your tears evaporate too quickly.
Aging: Tear production naturally decreases with age.
Environmental Factors: Wind, dry climates, or air conditioning can increase tear evaporation.
Screen Time: Staring at screens reduces your blink rate, which can exacerbate dryness.
Medications: Certain medications, like antihistamines, antidepressants, and blood pressure medicines, can reduce tear production.
Autoimmune Diseases: Conditions such as Sjögren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, or lupus can affect tear production.
Hormonal Changes: Hormonal shifts during menopause can significantly reduce tear production.
Ocular Surgery: Procedures like LASIK may sometimes contribute to dry eye.
Diagnosis
An eye care professional can diagnose dry eye through a comprehensive eye exam. Tests may be conducted to measure the quantity and quality of your tears, assess tear evaporation rates, and examine the health of your meibomian glands.
Treatment for Dry Eye
1. Lubricating Eye Drops
The first-line treatment for dry eye is typically the use of artificial tears. There are many over-the-counter lubricating eye drops available, but those with a lipid component (such Systane™ Complete, NovaTears™, or Rohto Dry Aid™) are particularly beneficial for evaporative dry eye. These drops help restore the lipid layer of your tears and provide longer-lasting moisture. Drops with hyaluronate, such as Systane™ Hydration and HyloForte™, can also be beneficial to help heal the surface and for longer-lasting symptom relief.
2. Warm Compresses
If Meibomian Gland Dysfunction is contributing to your dry eye, applying warm compresses using a heated wheat bag or warm mask (such as the OptiSoothe™ Mask or Bruder™ Mask) can help unblock the glands and improve oil secretion. For best results, compresses should be applied for 10-15 minutes once or twice daily.
3. Eyelid Hygiene
Maintaining clean eyelids is important for those with dry eye, particularly when MGD or blepharitis is present. Regular cleaning with gentle lid wipes or specialised eyelid cleansers helps reduce inflammation and improves gland function.
4. Omega-3 Supplements
Dietary supplements rich in omega-3 fatty acids can improve the quality of the oil produced by your meibomian glands, helping to stabilize the tear film. Omega-3s can also reduce inflammation associated with dry eye.
5. Prescription Medications
If over-the-counter options don’t provide sufficient relief, your optometrist or ophthalmologist may prescribe anti-inflammatory eye drops, such as corticosteroids or cyclosporine, to reduce inflammation and improve tear production.
6. OptiMel Manuka Eye Gel
For more severe dry eye, OptiMel Manuka+ Eye Gel can be used to reduce bacterial load and inflammation on the eyelids. This medical-grade Manuka honey treatment promotes healing and supports better tear quality by improving the function of the meibomian glands.
7. In-Office Procedures
For more severe cases, treatments like LipiFlow®, Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL), Puctal Plugs and specialty contact lenses can provide more significant relief.
Self-Care Tips for Managing Dry Eye
Take Frequent Breaks: When using screens, follow the 20-20-20 rule—every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
Blink Fully: Make a conscious effort to blink regularly, especially when focusing on digital devices.
Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water throughout the day supports healthy tear production.
Use a Humidifier: Adding moisture to the air in your home or workspace can help prevent tear evaporation.