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Dry Eye Disease Treatment Complete 2025 Guide

  • Writer: Dr. Nikhil Nasta
    Dr. Nikhil Nasta
  • Nov 13
  • 3 min read

Dry eye disease is a chronic condition that affects the tear film and the ocular surface, leading to symptoms such as dryness, burning, irritation, and fluctuating vision. At I-Sight Eye Care, Mumbai, we see thousands of patients each year who struggle with these symptoms—many of whom improve dramatically with the right diagnosis and targeted treatment.


👁️ What Is Dry Eye Disease?

Dry eye disease occurs when:

  1. The eyes do not produce enough tears, or

  2. The tears evaporate too quickly, or

  3. The tear composition is poor

This leads to inflammation, irritation, and damage to the ocular surface.


🧠 Common Causes of Dry Eye Disease

  • Prolonged screen time

  • Ageing

  • Hormonal changes

  • Contact lenses

  • Meibomian gland dysfunction

  • Allergies

  • Autoimmune diseases (thyroid, RA, Sjögren’s)

  • Environmental factors (AC rooms, pollution)

  • Post-LASIK dryness

  • Certain medications

Understanding the cause helps guide the treatment.



🔬 Diagnostic Tests for Dry Eye Disease (Essential Step)

At I-Sight Eye Care, we use advanced diagnostic methods:

1. TBUT (Tear Film Break-Up Time)

Checks tear stability.

2. Schirmer’s Test

Measures tear production.

3. Ocular Surface Staining

Detects cell damage and inflammation.

4. Meibography

Evaluates Meibomian gland health and gland dropout.

5. Slit-Lamp Examination

Assesses lashes, lids, cornea, and tear quality.

These tests guide the treatment plan based on the severity grade.



💧 Best Treatments for Dry Eye Disease (2025 Update)


Treatment varies from mild to severe depending on your diagnosis.

1. Lubricating Eye Drops (Artificial Tears)

Ideal For:

Mild to moderate dry eye

Types We Use:

  • Sodium hyaluronate (0.1–0.3%)

  • Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC 0.5%–1%)

  • Glycerin-based tears

  • Lipid-enhanced tears (for evaporative dry eye)

Tips:

  • Always choose preservative-free

  • Avoid redness-reducing OTC drops


2. Gel-Based Tears & Ointments

Useful for:

  • Severe dryness

  • Night-time discomfort

  • Exposure keratopathy

Provide prolonged relief through the night.



3. Anti-Inflammatory Therapy

Chronic dry eye is inflammation-driven.

We use:

✔ Cyclosporine (0.05%–0.1%)

Improves tear production over weeks.

✔ Lifitegrast

Reduces surface inflammation.

✔ Short-term mild steroids

Used carefully during flare-ups.



4. Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) Treatment

MGD is the leading cause of evaporative dry eye.

Treatment includes:

✔ Warm compress therapy

Liquifies thickened gland oil.

✔ Lid hygiene protocols

For flakes, crusts, and blepharitis.

✔ Meibomian gland expression

Releases blocked oils.

✔ Omega-3 fatty acids

Improves oil quality naturally.



5. Punctal Plugs

Ideal for:

  • Aqueous-deficient dry eye

  • Autoimmune-related dryness

  • Severe cases not responding to drops

They keep tears on the eye longer by blocking tear drainage.



6. Advanced Clinical Therapies

✔ Thermal Pulsation Therapy

Heats & massages Meibomian glands.

✔ Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

Reduces lid inflammation and improves gland function.

✔ LipiFlow (where available)

Single-session MGD therapy for severe cases.



7. Allergy & Eyelid Condition Management

Many dry eye patients also have:

  • Allergic conjunctivitis

  • Blepharitis

  • Mite infestation (Demodex)

Treating the underlying condition reduces symptoms dramatically.



8. Lifestyle & Environment Modifications

Dry eye improves significantly with simple changes:

  • 20-20-20 rule for screens

  • Humidifier use in AC rooms

  • Reduce contact lens wear

  • Hydration (2–3 litres/day)

  • Avoid smoking

  • Blink-training during screen use


9. Nutrition for Dry Eye

The following help improve tear quality:

  • Omega-3 (fish oil / flaxseed)

  • Vitamin A-rich foods

  • Hydration

  • Antioxidant diet


10. Post-LASIK Dry Eye Management

Temporary dryness after LASIK is common.

We manage post-LASIK dry eye with:

  • Lubricants

  • Anti-inflammatory drops

  • Gland therapy

  • Controlled screen use

  • Night-time gel drops



🏥 Why Choose I-Sight Eye Care for Dry Eye Treatment?

  • Advanced diagnostic technology

  • Evidence-based treatment

  • Expertise in chronic, severe, and autoimmune-related dry eye

  • Affordable options for all severity levels

  • Individualised care plans

  • Excellent outcomes across hundreds of patients



🏁 Conclusion

Dry eye disease is treatable sometimes dramatically when the underlying cause is correctly identified. With the right combination of therapies, most patients experience lasting comfort and improved visual stability.



📞 CTA

To receive personalised dry eye disease treatment, book a consultation at I-Sight Eye Care, Mumbai:👉 https://www.eyesurgeonmumbai.com/consult


❓ FAQs

1. Is dry eye disease permanent?

Not always. Many patients improve significantly with targeted therapy.

2. How long do treatments take to work?

Lubricants give quick relief. Anti-inflammatory therapy may take 4–8 weeks.

3. Does screen time worsen dry eye disease?

Yes. Reduced blinking causes rapid tear evaporation.

 
 
 

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