Managing dry eye: from home to clinic
There's no magic eye drop. The key is finding your type.
- 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
The layers of dry eye management
Part 08 · 01Habits & environment
Screen breaks, mindful blinking, better humidity.
Warm compresses & lid hygiene
Help the glands release their oil.
Artificial tears, gels, ointments
Lubricate and protect the surface.
Prescription treatment
Targets inflammation to break the cycle.
In-clinic treatment
Intense pulsed light (IPL), radiofrequency.
Not a strict step-up. Options are combined according to type and severity.
Warm compresses: helping the oil melt
Part 08 · 02Gentle warmth softens thickened oil
Blinking afterwards helps clear it.
Take care with rosacea or eczema
Heat can trigger flushing or aggravate the skin.
Keratoconus: never press on the eye
Avoid pressure and rubbing while warming.
Warm, not hot
Vision may blur briefly afterwards. That's normal.
Choosing artificial tears
Part 08 · 03Preservative-free first
Gentler on the surface when you use drops several times a day.
Thin, watery drops
Moisturise while helping to flush out dust and debris.
Gel-containing drops
Thicker and longer-lasting, for more sustained relief.
Lipid (emulsion) drops
May suit ‘oil’ problems, but can't replace healthy meibomian glands.
Night gels protect the cornea
Part 08 · 04Use at bedtime to form a protective layer
Reduces overnight surface dryness.
Helps prevent recurrent corneal erosion
Loose surface cells can tear off on waking, which is very painful.
Vision blurs briefly after use
Which is why it suits bedtime.
Breaking the inflammation cycle
Part 08 · 05Treatment for surface inflammation
Decided after an optometrist or ophthalmologist examines you, with regular reviews.
Oral treatment
Where gland inflammation is marked, your GP may help arrange it; some oral medicines make skin burn more easily in the sun.
Don't self-medicate
Some eye drops need medical monitoring and regular check-ups.
In-clinic: IPL and radiofrequency
Part 08 · 06IPL: applied to the cheeks below the lower lids
Calms abnormal lid vessels and inflammation; warms glands.
Radiofrequency: warms the eyelid tissues
Softens the oil; often paired with gland expression.
Usually a course of several sessions
Aims to improve gland function and ease symptoms.
Suitability is assessed first
For example skin type, sun exposure and current medicines.
Diet and omega-3
Part 08 · 07A balanced diet
Oily fish is good for overall health, but simply drinking more water won't treat dry eye.
Omega-3 supplements: mixed evidence
Several large trials found them no better than placebo; some people still feel they help.
Ask before you take them
High-dose supplements may interact with some medicines; discuss with your doctor.
Key takeaways
Part 08- 01Manage dry eye by finding your type, then combining treatments
- 02Choose preservative-free lubricants; gels or ointments at night
- 03Prescription treatment for marked inflammation; IPL is one in-clinic option
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.