# Dry Eye Treatment

Source page: https://www.kudretgozistanbul.com/en/treatments/dry-eye-treatment

**Author:** Opr. Dr. Mehmet Ali Özdil | **Medical Approval:** Op. Dr. Deniz Oygar Baylançiçek | **Date:** 2026-09-10

> **Summary:** Dry eye occurs when the eyes do not produce enough tears or tears evaporate too quickly, causing burning, stinging, itching, redness, blurred vision and eye fatigue. Treatment depends on the cause and severity and ranges from artificial tears and eyelid care to plugs, surgery for blocked tear ducts and IPL or thermal laser treatment of the eyelid oil glands.

## Quick Facts
- **Treatment Duration:** 1-6 months
- **Recovery Time:** 1-6 months
- **Anaesthesia Type:** None

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## What is Dry Eye?
A common condition in which the eyes do not produce enough tears or tears evaporate too quickly. The doctor identifies the cause by examining the eyes and reviewing medical history, then recommends one or more treatment options.

## Causes and Risk Factors
- Age: tear production decreases, so dry eye is more common in people over 50
- Medications such as antihistamines, antidepressants and blood pressure medications
- Autoimmune diseases such as Sjögren's syndrome and lupus, which damage the tear glands
- Blepharitis (eyelid inflammation): redness, swelling and crusting at the lid edges can affect tear production
- Environmental factors: dry air, wind, smoke and cigarette smoke speed up evaporation
- Prolonged use of digital screens, which reduces blinking
- Contact lenses, which can accelerate tear evaporation
- Vitamin A deficiency, deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids, hormonal changes

## Symptoms
- **Stinging and burning:** irritation of an insufficiently moisturised eye surface, also triggered by dust, wind or air conditioning
- **Excessive watering:** the eye reflexively produces excess tears of low quality that give no lasting relief
- **Sandy or gritty feeling:** as if a foreign body is in the eye, leading to constant blinking or rubbing
- **Blurred vision:** a poor tear film leaves the eye surface uneven and impairs light reflection, especially noticeable on a computer screen or phone
- **Redness:** dilated surface vessels; allergies or inflammation can add to it

## Treatment Options
- Artificial tear drops: the most common treatment
- Eye gel for longer-lasting moisturisation, used overnight
- Regular eyelid cleaning when blepharitis is the cause
- Treatment of an underlying medical condition
- Plugs that prevent tears draining from the eye
- Surgery in cases such as blocked tear ducts
- Warm compresses, lifestyle changes; prescription anti-inflammatory drops in more severe cases

## Laser and IPL Treatment for Dry Eye
When artificial tears and hot compresses are not enough, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) or Thermal Laser Therapy may be used. IPL is not a laser but intense pulsed light. Both aim to improve the function of the meibomian (oil) glands in the eyelids and make the tear film more stable.
- **IPL:** a gentle pulse of light applied to the eyelids helps open blocked glands and increase oil production.
- **Thermal laser:** a low-intensity laser beam applied to the eyelids reduces inflammation and improves gland function.

Benefits: relieves symptoms, reduces the need for artificial tears, reduces blepharitis, reduces eye fatigue and irritation, improves quality of vision. The procedure is described as safe and well tolerated, but it is not suitable for every dry eye patient.

Not suitable for: pregnant or breastfeeding women, people with certain medical conditions such as diabetes or thyroid disease, and people with active eye infections.

## Cost
The price varies depending on the underlying cause and the procedure; the treatment plan is set by the ophthalmologist after a detailed examination and varies from person to person.

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## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: How is dry eye diagnosed?**
A: With methods such as the Schirmer test or examination of the eye surface, which measure the quantity and quality of tears.

**Q: Can dry eye be treated?**
A: Symptoms can be controlled with tear drops, gel, warm compresses on the eyelids or lifestyle changes.

**Q: Which drops are used for dry eye?**
A: Artificial tear drops most commonly; prescription anti-inflammatory drops in more severe cases.

**Q: What lifestyle changes and home measures help?**
A: Avoiding long periods at the computer screen, blinking frequently, using moisturising devices, drinking plenty of water, foods containing omega-3, warm compresses, eye contour massage and environmental moisturisers.

**Q: Can dry eye cause permanent blindness?**
A: Usually not, but if untreated the risk of eye surface injury and infection may increase.

**Q: Can people with dry eye wear contact lenses?**
A: Yes, though wearing them can be difficult; specially designed moisturising lenses may be recommended.