Dry eyes

The eyes are lubricated by nourishing tears which are evenly distributed by the eyelids and drained by the tear ducts. A healthy turnover of tears is important to ensure a healthy eye. The symptoms of dry eye include gritty, burning eyes and visual symptoms such as blurring and a ‘film’ across the vision. Paradoxically, watering can occur due to irritation from the underlying dry eye state stimulating production of a different type of tear.

This is a chronic condition. The aim of treatment is to control the symptoms to achieve comfortable healthy eyes. The assessment of dry eyes can be challenging in judging whether the tears, lids or tear ducts are best targeted to improve the symptoms of dry eyes. Both surgical and non-surgical options are available and an individual treatment plan is the best way to address this complex condition.