Dry Eye

dryeye.ie by Eye Doctor Clinics

Symptoms of Dry Eye

Symptoms vary in severity and are often intermittent:

• Burning, stinging, or dryness
• Grittiness or foreign body sensation
• Redness and irritation
• Excessive watering (reflex tearing)
• Blurred or fluctuating vision
• Sensitivity to light, wind, or air conditioning

Many patients experience worsening symptoms later in the day or during screen use.

What Actually Causes Dry Eye

Dry eye is not a single condition. It is typically driven by one or more of the following:

Evaporative Dry Eye (most common)

• Dysfunction of the meibomian glands (oil glands in the eyelids)
• Poor lipid layer → rapid tear evaporation

Aqueous Deficiency

• Reduced tear production
• Often associated with systemic conditions

Mixed Disease

• Combination of both mechanisms

Additional contributing factors include:

• Prolonged screen use (reduced blink rate)
• Contact lens wear
• Hormonal changes
• Medications (antihistamines, antidepressants, etc.)
• Environmental exposure (dry air, heating, wind)

Why Most Treatments Fail

Most patients are treated with artificial tears alone.

This is ineffective long-term because:

• It does not address the underlying cause
• It does not assess gland function or tear dynamics
• It provides temporary symptom relief only

Accurate diagnosis is essential before effective treatment can begin.

Specialist Dry Eye Assessment

At Eye Doctor Clinics, dry eye is assessed using a structured, objective diagnostic approach to determine the exact cause and severity of disease.

This includes analysis of:

• Tear film stability and break-up dynamics
• Lipid layer quality and evaporation profile
• Tear meniscus (tear volume)
• Meibomian gland structure and function
• Ocular surface integrity and inflammation
• Demodex infestation (where relevant)

You will receive:

• Detailed scan results and clinical images
• Clear diagnosis and subtype classification
• A personalised treatment plan based on your findings

Treatment Options

Treatment is tailored based on diagnosis and may include:

• Medical-grade lubricants
• Prescription anti-inflammatory therapy
• Targeted lid hygiene protocols
• Meibomian gland treatment
• Advanced therapies such as IPL (where indicated)

The goal is not just symptom relief, but restoration of tear film function.

When to Seek Assessment

You should consider a dry eye assessment if you experience:

• Persistent irritation despite using drops
• Symptoms affecting work or screen use
• Fluctuating or unstable vision
• Contact lens intolerance
• Recurrent redness or inflammation

Book a Dry Eye Assessment

If you are experiencing ongoing symptoms, a detailed diagnostic assessment is required to identify the underlying cause and guide treatment.

Our Comprehensive Dry Eye Assessment includes full diagnostic work-up, imaging, and a personalised treatment plan.