“It's just dry eyes”? It's not that simple
Dry eye affects far more than comfort.
- 01Dry eyes? It's not just a lack of water
- 02Meibomian glands: your eyes' oil factories
- 03Why won't my tears stay put?
- 04Why does dry eye keep coming back?
- 05Health conditions that can dry your eyes
- 06Everyday habits that quietly feed dry eye
- 07“It's just dry eyes”? It's not that simple
- 08Managing dry eye: from home to clinic
- 09In-clinic treatment: IPL, RF & expression
Contact lenses that get harder to wear
Part 07 · 01Unstable tear film, ‘dry’ lenses
Grittiness and blur: comfortable wearing time keeps shrinking.
Higher prescriptions feel it more
People with high myopia or astigmatism, or who need rigid lenses, rely on contacts more.
Gland changes with age
As oil quality changes, lenses that used to feel fine may start to feel dry.
Ortho-K lenses at home?
Part 07 · 02Allergy season brings more discomfort
Research shows ortho-K wearers with allergic conjunctivitis have more corneal problems.
More deposits on lenses
Can affect lens fit and the reshaping effect, so vision fluctuates.
Keep up check-ups and lens care
Allergy and dry eye are best assessed and managed early, not pushed through.
Laser surgery? Check your tears first
Part 07 · 03Many don't know they have dry eye
Mild dry eye often goes unnoticed until a pre-surgery check.
Dry eye before surgery, worse after
Pre-existing dry eye is a key risk factor for post-op dry eye.
Stable surface, accurate measurements
Before laser or cataract surgery, an unstable tear film can affect corneal measurements.
Screen workers 30+: blur and glare
Part 07 · 04An irregular tear film scatters light
Things look hazy and contrast drops.
Early presbyopia from around 40
Near work gets harder and eyes tire faster.
The drive home
Tears are at their worst after a screen day, so headlights glare more.
Key takeaways
Part 07- 01Dry eye can make contact lenses and ortho-K uncomfortable
- 02Have your eye surface assessed before laser or cataract surgery
- 03An unstable tear film lowers visual quality and adds glare
Book an eye surface assessment.
Eyes that often feel dry or gritty, or vision that comes and goes? Find out which type you have and what’s driving it.
General health information only, not personal advice. Everyone’s eyes are different. An optometrist or doctor should examine you before any treatment is decided.