Dry Eye Assessment & Management

Dry eye disease is a common, chronic condition that can significantly affect eye comfort, vision quality, and daily activities. Symptoms may include dryness, irritation, burning, fluctuating vision, or tired eyes.

Who Tends to Develop Dry Eye?

While anyone can develop dry eye, some people are more at risk, including:

  • Adults over 40–50 years – tear production naturally decreases with age

  • Women, especially during pregnancy, menopause, or other hormonal changes

  • Contact lens wearers – lenses can disrupt the tear film and increase dryness

  • People who spend long hours on screens – reduced blinking can speed tear evaporation

  • Those with eyelid or meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) – blocked or inflamed oil glands make tears evaporate too quickly

  • People exposed to dry or air-conditioned environments – wind, heating, and low humidity worsen symptoms

  • Those with certain medical conditions – autoimmune diseases (e.g., Sjögren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis), diabetes, thyroid disorders

  • People taking certain medications – antihistamines, antidepressants, blood pressure medications, or acne treatments (e.g., isotretinoin)

  • Post-eye surgery patients – dry eye is common after procedures like LASIK or cataract surgery

Comprehensive Assessment

A thorough dry eye assessment helps identify the cause of your symptoms and guides effective treatment. This may include:

  • Tear film analysis to check tear quality and stability

  • Eyelid and meibomian gland evaluation

  • Assessment of blink patterns and eyelid function

  • Identification of lifestyle or environmental factors contributing to dryness

Treatment Options

Dry eye management is personalised and may include:

  • Lubricating eye drops or gels

  • Prescription eye drops or medications where required

  • Lid hygiene routines and warm compress therapy

  • Nutritional advice, including omega-3 supplementation where appropriate

  • Long-term care plans to manage chronic symptoms

Treatment Goals

The goal of treatment is to relieve discomfort, stabilise vision, and maintain a healthy ocular surface over the long term. Early assessment and intervention can help prevent worsening symptoms and protect eye health.