YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO DRY EYES

Most (over 90%) dry eye cases are evaporative dry eyes. This occurs when the tears on the eyes’ surface evaporate too quickly. This is typically caused by dysfunction in the meibomian glands, which produce the tear film’s outer oily (lipid) layer. When these glands do not function properly, the oily layer becomes unstable - exposing the middle watery (aqueous) layer - leading to dry eyes. This accounts for the majority of dry eye cases.

Aqueous deficient dry eye is a condition in which the eyes do not produce enough tears to keep the eye's surface moist and comfortable. This can happen when the lacrimal gland, located in the upper outer corner of each eye, is not producing enough of the aqueous (middle) layer of tears. Autoimmune conditions, corneal sensory loss, and obstructions in the lacrimal glands or ducts can all lead to aqueous deficiency. Additionally, certain drugs and hormonal imbalances, including those during menopause, can contribute to aqueous deficient dry eye. Sjögren’s Syndrome is an autoimmune disorder that can also cause aqueous deficiency and other symptoms such as dry eyes and mouth.

Lastly, mixed dry eye is characterised by a combination of aqueous tear deficiency and tear film instability, causing dry eye symptoms.

Take periodic eye breaks if you’re reading or doing another task requiring visual concentration. Close your eyes for a few minutes. Or repeatedly blink for a few seconds to help spread your tears evenly over your eyes. Looking away from your computer screen every 20 minutes at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds helps to reduce strain and fatigue on your eye muscles. This is known as the 20-20-20 rule.

Taking a proactive approach to nutrition and supplement intake can support your eye health and overall well-being. Including supplements in your daily balanced diet can help fill any nutritional gaps, and omega-3 fatty acids are a crucial nutrient to consider. These healthy fats are found in your tears’ lipid (top) layer. To boost your omega-3 and omega-6 intake, consider incorporating oily fish, nuts, seeds, eggs, and leafy greens into your diet. Maqui Berry has been shown to improve the quality and volume of tear production.

Certain medications, such as antihistamines, antidepressants, painkillers, and oral contraceptives, can cause Dry Eye. If you’re taking any of these and experiencing dry eye, talk to your GP about your options. Drops and sprays can help in the meantime - they moisturise the eye's surface, strengthening the lipid (top) layer - and stabilising the aqueous (middle) layer of your tear film.

Don’t direct hair dryers, heaters, air conditioners or fans toward your eyes.

Your eyes don't like dusty, windy, and smoky environments - they cause your tears to evaporate. Avoid central heating and air conditioning when possible. And use a humidifier to help moisten your eyes. The air at high altitudes, in desert areas and in aeroplanes can be arid. When spending time in such an environment, it may be helpful to frequently close your eyes for a few minutes to minimise your tears’ evaporation.

In winter (or in central heating or air conditioned environments) , use a humidifier to add moisture to the dry air.

If you smoke, a quit-smoking strategy will help with dry eyes. If you don’t smoke, stay away from people who do. Smoke can worsen dry eye symptoms.

Normal blinking happens without thinking, but if you’re spending long hours in front of a screen, you’ll need to take regular breaks to regulate tear production. Your Dry Eye might cause Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS), which can also cause blurred or double vision, headaches, and general eye irritation.

Large, wraparound glasses and sunglasses can help. Also, safety shields can be added to the tops and sides of glasses to block wind and dry air.

If you wear contact lenses and your eyes are dry, you may need to switch to glasses while your eyes recover. We recommend at least a day off every week (if you wear contact lenses daily). Regular eye checks are also a good rule of thumb.

If you have chronic dry eyes, use eye drops even when your eyes feel fine to keep them well-lubricated. Make sure the Eye Drops are preservative-free. Check out our Eye Drops.

What’s good for the heart, is good for the brain, is also good for the eye. The link between mental health and eye health is clear, so make sure you look after yourself.

Adequate tear production is necessary to protect the eye from infection. A lack of tears can increase the risk of eye infections.

If left untreated, severe dry eyes can cause inflammation, damage to the cornea, the formation of corneal ulcers and even vision loss.

Dry eyes can make it difficult to perform everyday tasks such as reading and negatively impact the quality of life.