Dry Eye Disease

What is dry eye disease?

Dry eye disease occurs when your eyes do not produce enough tears, or when the tears evaporate too quickly. Tears are essential to keep the eyes comfortable, clear, and protected, and when this balance is disrupted, the surface of the eye becomes dry and irritated.

Common symptoms include burning, stinging, grittiness, redness, fluctuating or blurry vision, and a sensation of something in the eye. Symptoms often worsen with screen use, reading, air conditioning, wind, or at the end of the day. Some people may also experience watery eyes, which is the eye’s reflex response to dryness.

Dry eye disease is chronic but manageable. Treatment may include lubricating eye drops, warm compresses, eyelid hygiene, lifestyle adjustments, and in some cases prescription medications or in-clinic treatments. Early diagnosis and regular treatment can significantly improve comfort and protect long-term eye health.

What are the risk factors for dry eye disease?

Dry eye disease is common and often multifactorial, meaning several factors may contribute at the same time.

Everyday / Lifestyle Factors

Prolonged screen use (reduced blink rate)
Reading or driving for long periods
Air conditioning, heating, wind, or dry environments
Contact lens wear
Smoking or exposure to smoke
Inadequate hydration
Certain medications (e.g. antihistamines, antidepressants, beta-blockers)

Age & Hormonal Factors

Increasing age (tear production naturally declines)
Menopause
Hormonal changes (reduced oestrogen or androgen levels)
Pregnancy or postpartum hormonal shifts

Eyelid & Blink-Related Causes

Poor or incomplete blinking
Reduced blink rate (e.g. computer use, Parkinson’s disease)
Eyelid malposition:
- Ectropion (outward-turning eyelid)
- Entropion (inward-turning eyelid)
Facial nerve palsy (incomplete eyelid closure)
Lagophthalmos (inability to fully close the eyes)
Eyelid laxity or floppy eyelid syndrome

Ocular Surface & Tear Gland Disorders

Meibomian gland dysfunction (poor tear oil layer)
Chronic blepharitis
Previous eye surgery (e.g. cataract or refractive surgery)
Long-term eye drop use (especially preserved drops)

Systemic & Autoimmune Conditions

Sjögren’s syndrome
Rheumatoid arthritis
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Scleroderma
Thyroid eye disease
Diabetes mellitus

Neurological & Systemic Contributors

Parkinson’s disease
Stroke
Facial nerve disorders
Reduced corneal sensation

What is the treatment for dry eye disease?

1. Lubrication (Foundation of Treatment)

Artificial tears to replace natural tears
- Used regularly, not just when eyes feel sore
- Preservative-free drops are preferred for frequent use
Lubricating gels or ointments at night for severe dryness

2. Improve Tear Quality (Oil Layer Support)

Warm compresses (5–10 minutes daily)
Eyelid hygiene to clear blocked oil glands
Treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction
Omega-3 supplementation (in selected patients)

3. Reduce Inflammation

Short courses of anti-inflammatory eye drops
Prescription drops to improve tear production
Treatment of associated eyelid inflammation (blepharitis)

4. Reduce Tear Loss

Punctal plugs to slow tear drainage
Moisture chamber glasses (in selected cases)
Managing eyelid problems (e.g. ectropion, incomplete closure)

5. Address Contributing Factors

Adjust screen habits (regular breaks, conscious blinking)
Optimise home and workplace environments
Review and modify contributing medications if possible
Treat underlying systemic conditions (e.g. autoimmune disease)

6. Advanced or Specialist Treatments

Prescription tear-stimulating medications
In-clinic treatments: Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT)
Autologous serum eye drops (for severe cases)
Surgical correction of eyelid malposition when required

Eye Drops

Refresh Plus (Preservative-free)
Hylofresh (Preservative-free)
HyloForte (Preservative-free)
Systane Ultra (Preservative-free)
Systane Gel (Preservative-free)

Lubricating Gel

PolyVisc
VitaPos

What is Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT)?

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) and LLLT (Low-Level Light Therapy) are in-clinic treatments used to manage dry eye disease, particularly when caused by blocked or inflamed eyelid oil glands. IPL reduces eyelid inflammation and abnormal blood vessels, helping improve the quality of the tear film, while LLLT gently warms the eyelids to melt thickened oils and improve gland function. The treatments are comfortable, typically take 10–15 minutes, and are often performed as a course over several sessions. IPL and LLLT are commonly used together to address both the cause and symptoms of dry eye. They help reduce reliance on frequent eye drops and improve long-term eye comfort and vision stability.

You should visit your local optometrist to seek treatment.

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