Eye Clinic Opticians

Dry Eyes? Relief Is Closer Than You Think

by | Jun 5, 2025 | Eye Health, Opticians

Constant dryness, irritation, or that gritty feeling?
You’re not alone—and more importantly, you don’t have to suffer in silence.

At Eye Clinic Opticians, we specialise in Dry Eye diagnosis and personalised treatment plans that help restore your comfort and clarity. Whether you’re experiencing Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), Aqueous Deficiency, or both, we’re here to guide you toward lasting relief.

In this blog, we’ll break down what Dry Eye Syndrome really is, the most common causes, how to know if you have it, and—most importantly—what we can do to help.

What Is Dry Eye Syndrome?

Dry Eye Syndrome (also known as Dry Eye Disease) is a condition where your eyes don’t produce enough quality tears to keep the surface of your eyes properly lubricated.

Tears might seem simple, but they’re made up of three key layers:

  1. Oil (lipid layer) – prevents evaporation

  2. Water (aqueous layer) – keeps eyes hydrated

  3. Mucus (mucin layer) – helps tears spread evenly

When any part of this system breaks down, you may feel symptoms like:

  • Burning or stinging

  • Grittiness or a sandy sensation

  • Redness and irritation

  • Excessive tearing (yes—watery eyes can actually be a sign of Dry Eye!)

  • Blurred or fluctuating vision

  • Eye fatigue, especially when reading or using screens

The Two Main Causes: MGD & Aqueous Deficiency

Let’s break down the two primary causes of Dry Eye that we see at Eye Clinic Opticians:

1. Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)

Your eyelids contain tiny oil glands called Meibomian glands that secrete oils into your tear film. These oils help slow down evaporation of your tears.

When these glands become blocked or inflamed, your tear film becomes unstable, leading to that dry, gritty, uncomfortable feeling.
This is one of the most common causes of Dry Eye—and also one of the most underdiagnosed.

2. Aqueous Deficiency Dry Eye

This type occurs when your lacrimal glands don’t produce enough water (aqueous layer) for your tears. It’s less common than MGD, but it can lead to significant discomfort and damage to the surface of the eye if untreated.

So… Why Is This Happening to Me?

Dry Eye can be triggered by a range of lifestyle and health factors, including:

  • Aging (especially post-menopausal women)

  • Long hours on digital screens (reduced blinking rate)

  • Contact lens wear

  • Certain medications (antihistamines, antidepressants, blood pressure meds)

  • Autoimmune conditions like Sjögren’s Syndrome

  • Environmental factors (air conditioning, wind, heating)

  • Cosmetic products (especially eyelash extensions or oil-based removers)

Modern life makes it almost too easy to develop Dry Eye—and harder to treat without a tailored approach.

Why Over-the-Counter Drops Aren’t Enough

We see many patients who have tried bottle after bottle of artificial tears, only to find temporary or no relief.

Here’s the thing: most off-the-shelf drops treat the symptom (dryness), not the cause (gland dysfunction or tear production issues). That’s why professional diagnosis is so important.

At Eye Clinic Opticians, we go beyond surface-level treatments to get to the root of the problem—whether that’s Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, Aqueous Deficiency, or a combination of both.

How We Treat Dry Eye at Eye Clinic Opticians

Our team of experienced optometrists and dry eye specialists create personalised treatment plans for every patient. Here’s what that typically involves:

1. Comprehensive Dry Eye Assessment

We begin with a thorough examination using advanced diagnostic tools to evaluate:

  • Meibomian gland function and structure

  • Tear breakup time

  • Tear volume and quality

  • Ocular surface health

This helps us determine what type of Dry Eye you have and how severe it is.

2. Meibomian Gland Treatment

If MGD is the culprit, we may recommend:

  • Heat therapy to unclog glands (like warm compresses or in-office treatments such as LipiFlow or IPL)

  • Lid hygiene routines using specialist cleansers

  • Manual expression of Meibomian glands

  • Prescription medications (like antibiotic eye drops or anti-inflammatories) if inflammation is present

3. Tear Stimulation & Supplementation

For Aqueous Deficiency, we may focus on:

  • Prescription drops that increase tear production (e.g., ciclosporin or lifitegrast)

  • Punctal plugs (tiny inserts that block tear drainage, keeping natural tears on the eye surface longer)

  • Omega-3 supplementation to support healthy tear production

4. Lifestyle Advice & Support

We’ll also help you adjust your routine with:

  • Blink exercises (especially if you work on screens)

  • Guidance on screen ergonomics and lighting

  • Environmental tips for reducing dry eye triggers

  • Nutritional advice that supports eye health

The Goal: Long-Term Comfort & Vision Clarity

Dry Eye doesn’t have to be a life sentence of discomfort. With proper diagnosis and consistent treatment, many of our patients experience major improvement within weeks—and significant relief over time.

We often hear, “I wish I came in sooner.” And we get it. Dry Eye is sneaky—it creeps in gradually, and many people assume it’s just something they have to “put up with.”

The good news? You don’t.

Is It Time to See a Dry Eye Specialist?

Ask yourself:

  • Do your eyes often feel dry, itchy, or gritty?

  • Do you rely on artificial tears multiple times a day?

  • Do your eyes water excessively or burn?

  • Is your vision blurry, especially after long screen sessions?

  • Are your eyes sensitive to wind, smoke, or air conditioning?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, it’s time to book a consultation with our Dry Eye team.

Why Choose Eye Clinic Opticians?

We’re not just here to tick boxes or hand out generic advice—we’re here to listen, diagnose, treat, and support.

Our approach is:

  • Personalised – no one-size-fits-all solutions

  • Evidence-based – we use the latest science and tools

  • Compassionate – because we know how frustrating Dry Eye can be

We’re proud to help people of all ages rediscover the feeling of clear, comfortable vision. You deserve relief—and we can help you get there.

Ready to Feel Better?

Let’s talk about relief.

Get in Contact Eye Clinic Opticians today to book your Dry Eye Consultation
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Your eyes work hard for you every single day. It’s time to take care of them the way they take care of you.

Eye Clinic Opticians
Personalised Dry Eye Treatment Plans—because clarity and comfort shouldn’t be a luxury.