Discover how our treatment plans can relieve dry eye symptoms
Dry eyes are an irritation for many people. An insufficiency in the tears’ quantity or quality can cause your eyes to feel gritty, irritated or sore, and sometimes even to water more. If left untreated, severe dry eyes can potentially damage your eyes and even affect your sight.
Dry Eye Syndrome, also called keratoconjunctivitis sicca, or sicca syndrome, occurs when your eyes cannot produce enough normal tears, or your tears evaporate too quickly. Sjögren’s Syndrome is a related condition with symptoms including dry eyes, dry mouth and arthritis. Find out more about dry eyes and Sjögren’s Syndrome.
There are a number of treatments for dry eyes, but their effectiveness depends heavily on an accurate diagnosis. At the Eye Institute, you’ll be seen by a doctor with experience in Dry Eye syndrome, who will carefully assess your symptoms and design a personalised treatment plan for you.
Advantages
- Improvement in the condition of the ocular surface.
- Improvement in symptoms of dry eyes.
Disadvantages
- Some treatment types are needed long term, e.g. drops
Risks include an allergy to the medicated eye drops.
Artificial tears
Artificial tears are a good temporary solution for some cases of dry eyes. They can provide immediate relief, and are available without a prescription. However, if you need to use eye drops more than three times a day, you should use preservative-free drops such as Bion Tears, Cellufresh, Polytears-Free or Refresh. Preservative-free drops are also safe to use with contact lenses.
Hot lid massage
One of the most common causes of dry eye syndrome is due to a poor quality oil layer in tears. The Meibomian glands, which are located along the eyelid margins, produce this oil. You can improve the oil production by applying heat to the eyelids, followed by a gentle massage of the eyelids.
Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL)
This comfortable and straightforward treatment helps relieve dry eye symptoms, particularly when associated with congestion of Meibomian glands. IPL therapy is applied to the skin below the eye and can be repeated over several sessions.
Our specialists have carried out significant research into dry eyes. They have a great deal of experience in treating the condition. You’ll also benefit from our investment in the latest technology for diagnosing and treating Dry Eye Syndrome.
Punctal occlusion
If your dry eyes are caused by insufficient tear volume, it may be necessary to reduce your tear drainage. We can perform a procedure called punctal occlusion. This treatment permanently or temporarily closes off your tear drainage channels, allowing you to retain your natural tears, reducing the need for eye drops.
Your eye specialist will create a treatment plan to manage your symptoms best.
Results include
- Improvement in dry eye symptoms.
- Possible improvement in vision if dry eye has affected this.
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Eye treatment options can be confusing. We’ve made the journey as straightforward as can be
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Our industry-leading experts are here to guide you every step of the way
Dr Mantell is a specialist in refractive and cataract surgery. He has restored the vision of thousands of people in his 17-year career.
Dr Ring is an expert in cornea, cataract and refractive surgery.
Dr Subbiah is a cataract, corneal and laser surgery specialist.
Dr Watson specialises in treating many aspects of the eye, including the face, eyelids, tear drainage system and the cornea.
Professor Danesh-Meyer is an international authority on glaucoma and neuro-ophthalmology and one of the most highly regarded experts in her field.
Professor Charles McGhee, a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon for 25 years, specialises in corneal diseases and cataract surgery.
Dr Cunningham is a consultant ophthalmologist who specialises in cataract surgery and vitreoretinal surgery.
Dr Dean is a consultant ophthalmologist. His areas of expertise include cataract surgery, corneal surgery and pterygium surgery.
Dr Hadden specialises in vitreoretinal and cataract surgery, including the treatment of intraocular tumours.
Dr Narme Deva is a key opinion leader for Medical retina and Uveitis in New Zealand.
Dr Elizabeth Insull is a New Zealand and UK trained Oculoplastic and Ophthalmic surgeon.
Dr Matheos is an ophthalmologist with subspecialist training in glaucoma and anterior segment surgery, cataract surgery and pterygium surgery.
Dr Beaumont is a general ophthalmologist. He specialises in surgical ophthalmology, medical ophthalmology and urgent eye trauma care.
Dr Meyer is a specialist eye surgeon specialising in cataracts, glaucoma, and corneal diseases and surgeries.
Dr Reeves has advanced training in the diagnosis and management of glaucoma. He offers a variety of laser and surgical treatments, including minimally invasive glaucoma surgery.
Dr Perumal is a New Zealand trained ophthalmologist with advanced training in glaucoma and cataract surgery.
Dr Narme Deva is a key opinion leader for Medical retina and Uveitis in New Zealand.
LEARN MORE
Dr Ring is an expert in cornea, cataract and refractive surgery.
LEARN MORE
Dr Subbiah is a cataract, corneal and laser surgery specialist.
LEARN MORE
Dr Watson specialises in treating many aspects of the eye, including the face, eyelids, tear drainage system and the cornea.
LEARN MORE
Professor Danesh-Meyer is an international authority on glaucoma and neuro-ophthalmology and one of the most highly regarded experts in her field.
LEARN MORE
Professor Charles McGhee, a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon for 25 years, specialises in corneal diseases and cataract surgery.
LEARN MORE
Dr Cunningham is a consultant ophthalmologist who specialises in cataract surgery and vitreoretinal surgery.
LEARN MORE
Dr Dean is a consultant ophthalmologist. His areas of expertise include cataract surgery, corneal surgery and pterygium surgery.
LEARN MORE
Dr Hadden specialises in vitreoretinal and cataract surgery, including the treatment of intraocular tumours.
LEARN MORE
Dr Elizabeth Insull is a New Zealand and UK trained Oculoplastic and Ophthalmic surgeon.
LEARN MORE
Dr Matheos is an ophthalmologist with subspecialist training in glaucoma and anterior segment surgery, cataract surgery and pterygium surgery.
LEARN MORE
Dr Beaumont is a general ophthalmologist. He specialises in surgical ophthalmology, medical ophthalmology and urgent eye trauma care
LEARN MORE
Dr. Meyer is a specialist eye surgeon specialising in cataracts, glaucoma, and corneal diseases and surgeries.
LEARN MORE
Dr Reeves has advanced training in the diagnosis and management of glaucoma. He offers a variety of laser and surgical treatments, including minimally invasive glaucoma surgery.
LEARN MORE
Dr Perumal is a New Zealand trained ophthalmologist with advanced training in glaucoma and cataract surgery.
LEARN MORE
Dr Mantell is a specialist in refractive and cataract surgery. He has restored the vision of thousands of people in his 17-year career.
LEARN MORE
Learn more about treating dry eye disease from authoritative sources.
Dry eyes are a chronic lack of lubrication and moisture on the surface of the eye. An adequate and consistent layer of tears on the surface of the eye is essential to keep your eyes healthy, comfortable, and seeing well.
Tears bathe the eye’s surface to keep it moist and wash away dust, debris and microorganisms that could damage the cornea and lead to an eye infection.
Sometimes, there’s a lack of balance in your tear-flow system. Or your air conditioner, heater, or other things around you could dry out your tear film.
Other causes include:
- The natural aging process, especially menopause
- Side effects of certain drugs like antihistamines
- Diseases that affect your ability to make tears, like Sjogren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and collagen vascular diseases
- Problems that don’t allow your eyelids to close the way they should
An adequate and consistent layer of tears on the surface of the eye is essential to keep your eyes healthy, comfortable and seeing well.
Tears bathe the eye’s surface to keep it moist and wash away dust, debris and microorganisms that could damage the cornea and lead to an eye infection.
A normal tear film consists of three important components:
- An oily (lipid) component
- A watery (aqueous) component
- A mucous-like (mucin) component
A problem with any of these sources of tear film components can result in tear instability and dry eyes.
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