Chronic dry eye - comprehensive treatment in Delhi

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The most common causes of dry eye in Delhi

Dry eye disease is not a single condition - it is a spectrum of disorders affecting tear film stability. The most common cause in urban India is meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD): the oil-producing glands in the eyelids become blocked, the oily layer of the tear film breaks down too quickly, and tears evaporate faster than they can be replenished.

  • Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) - most common cause
  • Prolonged screen use / reduced blink rate
  • Contact lens wear
  • LASIK surgery (temporary dry eye in some patients)
  • Autoimmune conditions (Sjögren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus)
  • Thyroid eye disease
  • Low humidity environments - air conditioning, heating, flights
  • Certain medications (antihistamines, antidepressants, oral contraceptives)
  • Post-menopausal hormonal changes
  • Vitamin A deficiency

Recognise the symptoms

Burning, stinging or gritty sensation
Redness that worsens through the day
Blurred vision that clears with blinking
Excessive watering / reflex tearing
Sensitivity to wind, smoke and air conditioning
Difficulty wearing contact lenses
Eye fatigue with screen use
Stringy mucus discharge

What our dry eye evaluation includes

Tear break-up time (TBUT)

Measures how quickly the tear film breaks apart between blinks. Normal is >10 seconds. Dry eye patients typically <5 seconds.

Schirmer's test

Assesses baseline tear production - a filter paper strip placed on the lower lid for 5 minutes measures total aqueous production.

Meibography

Infrared imaging of the eyelid to visualise meibomian gland structure. Shows gland dropout - a key measure of MGD severity.

Corneal staining

Fluorescein and rose bengal dyes reveal areas of epithelial damage on the corneal and conjunctival surface - indicating severity and location of dryness.

Blink analysis

Assessment of blink rate and blink completeness - incomplete blinks leave the lower cornea exposed and are a major driver of dry eye in screen users.

Osmolarity testing

Tear osmolarity is the gold-standard biomarker for dry eye disease. Higher osmolarity = more severe dry eye.

From artificial tears to gland therapy - we find what works

Warm compresses + lid hygiene

First-line treatment for MGD. Daily warm compresses soften meibum, lid massage expresses blocked glands. Simple but effective when done consistently.

Preservative-free artificial tears

Sodium hyaluronate or carboxymethylcellulose drops used 4 - 6x daily. Preservative-free formulations are essential for regular long-term use.

Omega-3 supplementation

High-dose EPA/DHA omega-3 (2 - 3g/day) improves meibum quality and tear stability over 3 months. Strong evidence base for MGD-driven dry eye.

Cyclosporine eye drops (Restasis / Ikervis)

Anti-inflammatory prescription drops for moderate-severe dry eye. Reduce inflammation in the lacrimal glands. Begin to work in 3 - 6 months.

Punctal occlusion

Temporary or permanent plugs inserted into the tear drainage canal (punctum) to keep tears on the eye surface longer.

In-clinic thermal pulsation / meibomian gland expression

Heated, pulsed compression of the eyelids to clear blocked meibomian glands. Single treatment provides 6 - 12 months of improvement for many MGD patients.

Autologous serum eye drops

Serum prepared from the patient's own blood - contains growth factors, vitamins and immunoglobulins that support corneal healing. For severe, refractory dry eye.

Scleral contact lenses

Large-diameter rigid lenses that vault over the cornea and hold a reservoir of fluid on the eye surface. Transformative for severe dry eye or post-LASIK dry eye.

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Long-term outcomes across cataract, LASIK and retina

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Get a proper dry eye evaluation at Eye Veda

Our cornea specialist will assess your tear film, meibomian glands and corneal health - and give you a personalised management plan, not just another bottle of drops.

Call +91 88004 33050

Dry eye - frequently asked questions

Tired of daily drops that don't really work? Let's find the real cause.