Find the cause, then treat that.
Dry eye is rarely just a lack of tears. We find which part of the tear film is failing, and what is driving it.
Read the in-depth series →- Feels like
- Gritty, burning, watery or tired eyes
- Common cause
- Blocked oil glands in the eyelids
- Measured by
- Tear break-up time and imaging of the glands
- Treated with
- IPL, radiofrequency, lid care, and drops
Who it helps
Screen workers
We blink less at screens. Eyes that feel fine in the morning can be tired and gritty by the afternoon.
Contact lens wearers
Lenses that feel fine in the morning but uncomfortable by the end of the day.
When drops aren't enough
Using drops many times a day without lasting relief usually means the cause hasn't been treated.
How the tear film fails
Cross-section, five stepsA stable tear film.
Three layers work together. Oil on top slows evaporation, water sits in the middle, and mucin helps the tears stick to the eye.
Tear film drawn thousands of times thick. Not to scale.
What the assessment involves
Sequence / 04Symptoms
A symptom questionnaire, your medications and your health history.
Tear film
How long the tears hold after a blink, and the health of the eye surface.
Glands
Imaging of the oil glands and a close look at the eyelid margins.
Plan
In-clinic treatment where needed, home care and drops.
Want the detail? Read the full dry eye series
In depth · 09 partsNine short, illustrated parts on what drives dry eye, why it keeps coming back, and how we treat it, from home care to in-clinic IPL and radiofrequency.
Dry eyes? It's not just a lack of water
Meet the three parts of your tear film, and the three types of dry eye.
Read →Part 02Meibomian glands: your eyes' oil factories
When the oil goes wrong, it's the most common cause of dry eye.
Read →Part 03Why won't my tears stay put?
The invisible mucin layer, and how surface inflammation strips it away.
Read →Part 04Why does dry eye keep coming back?
The vicious cycle of oil, water, mucin and nerves.
Read →Part 05Health conditions that can dry your eyes
Age, hormones, allergies, skin and immunity.
Read →Part 06Everyday habits that quietly feed dry eye
Screens, sleep, medicines and surgery.
Read →Part 07“It's just dry eyes”? It's not that simple
Dry eye affects far more than comfort.
Read →Part 08Managing dry eye: from home to clinic
There's no magic eye drop. The key is finding your type.
Read →Part 09In-clinic treatment: IPL, RF & expression
When warm compresses and drops aren't enough, we treat the eyelids directly.
Read →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.