Dry eyes occur when the eyes do not generate enough tears or the quality of the tears produced are poor, allowing the tears to evaporate quickly from the surface of the eye and cause the eye to dry. Reduced tear quality is frequently caused by a blockage or irritation of the oil glands within the lid margin. When the surface of the eyes dry up, the eyes get inflamed and they often seem red, with the whites of the eyes appearing pink and puffy. Normally, the eyes become quite irritated. Dry eyes occur more frequently in women than in men and it is most common in people over the age of 60. It can, however, happen at any age.The symptoms are quite variable, producing slight irritation to severe discomfort.

Among the symptoms are:

• Blurred vision
• Eyes feel ‘gritty,’ especially in the mornings.
• Feels like a foreign body in the eyes
• Eyes that are burning
• Eyelids that irritate you
• Sensitivity to light
• The whites of the eyes are red.
• Painful eyes
• Excessive watering

There is no “cure” for dry eye condition. Most people may gain significant relief from their symptoms by using a range of treatments and measures.

Once our optometrist has identified what is causing your dry eye, they will be able to advise you on treating dry eye disease.

Treating dry eye disease and making your eyes more comfortable is rather simple:

• The simplest way is to use a high quality lubricating drop 2 or 3 times a day. The optometrist can advise you on which drop will be most suitable for you.
• Applying a heated eye mask to closed eyelids for 10 minutes once a day will help soften and remove any blocked oil in the glands that produce oil to the tears.
• After removing the eye mask, gently massage your eyelids with a clean finger or cotton bud to increase the oil flow from the glands, cleaning your eyelids with lid scrubs, wipes, or eyelid cleaning gel on a daily basis will assist to eliminate bacteria, dirt, and oil that can cause gland blockage and dry eye syndrome.
• If you wear contact lenses, taking a break from wearing them will help. You might also apply contact lens friendly dry eye drops to your lenses before applying them each day, also apply the drops during the day for more comfort.

Blepharitis is a persistent inflammatory disorder of the eyelids caused by bacterial buildup on the eyelid border. The importance of everyday lid hygiene in the treatment of Blepharitis cannot be overstated.

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) is a chronic condition characterised by blockage of the secretory meibomian glands, which are the glands in your eyelids that generate Meibum. Meibum is an oil that coats your tear film, helping to prevent it from evaporation. If you have MGD, your meibum production may decrease, resulting in rapid tear film evaporation and consequently Evaporative Dry Eye.