Dry Eye Disease
Dry Eye Disease occurs when the eyes don’t produce stable, healthy tears. This can lead to irritation, fluctuating vision, and inflammation. Even if your eyes water!
Dry eye is common, often chronic, and frequently linked to eyelid and oil-gland health. That’s why treatment usually focuses on more than just eye drops.
Quick takeaway
Tears are made of three layers: oil, water, and mucus. If any layer is unstable, symptoms can appear.
- Oil layer problems → tears evaporate too fast
- Water layer problems → not enough tear volume
- Inflammation → poor tear quality and discomfort
What is dry eye disease?
Dry eye disease is a condition where tears fail to adequately lubricate and protect the eye surface. This can be due to:
- Evaporative dry eye — tears evaporate too quickly (most common)
- Aqueous-deficient dry eye — reduced tear production
Many patients have a combination of both, which is why treatment is often layered rather than one-size-fits-all.
Common symptoms
How it can feel
- Burning or stinging
- Grittiness or foreign-body sensation
- Eye fatigue
- Sensitivity to wind or air conditioning
What you may notice
- Blurred or fluctuating vision
- Watery eyes (reflex tearing)
- Redness
- Contact lens intolerance
Why dry eye develops
Dry eye usually develops from multiple contributing factors rather than a single cause:
- Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) — poor oil quality or blocked glands
- Eyelid inflammation (blepharitis)
- Prolonged screen use and reduced blinking
- Hormonal changes and aging
- Certain medications
- Environmental stress (dry air, smoke, wind)
At-home care commonly recommended
-
Eyelid hygiene
Cleaning the lid margins helps reduce inflammation and supports healthier oil flow into the tear film. -
Warm compress
Heat can help soften oils and improve tear stability, especially in evaporative dry eye. -
Artificial tears
Preservative-free drops are often recommended to supplement natural tears. -
Consistency
Dry eye usually improves gradually. Daily routines matter more than occasional treatment.
What your eye doctor may recommend
If symptoms persist, clinics may recommend additional treatments based on the type and severity of dry eye:
Medical therapy
- Prescription anti-inflammatory drops
- Short-term steroid therapy (selected cases)
- Oral medications when appropriate
In-office procedures
- Thermal treatments for MGD
- Manual gland expression
- Advanced dry-eye procedures offered by some clinics
Where Zocular fits (supporting eyelid health)
Because dry eye is often linked to eyelid and oil-gland health, many routines emphasize gentle, repeatable eyelid hygiene. Zocular products are designed to support that daily care as part of a clinician-guided plan.
- ZocuFoam — daily foaming eyelid cleanser
- ZocuWipe — convenient wipes for consistent hygiene
Related topics
When to contact your eye doctor
- Eye pain, significant light sensitivity, or sudden vision changes
- Symptoms that worsen or fail to improve
- Increasing redness or discharge
- New or worsening eyelid swelling
