What is the most effective treatment for dry eye?

The most effective treatment depends on the underlying cause. A personalised plan may include eye drops, in-clinic treatments, and advanced therapies such as IPL.

Can dry eye be cured permanently?

Dry eye is usually a chronic condition, but with the right treatment plan, symptoms can be significantly improved and well managed over time.

Is dry eye caused by screen use?

Yes - prolonged screen use reduces blinking, which can contribute to dry eye symptoms and tear film instability.

How long does dry eye treatment take to work?

Some patients notice improvement within a few weeks, while others require ongoing treatment depending on the severity of their condition.

Do I need ongoing treatment for dry eye?

In many cases, yes. Dry eye is often a long-term condition that benefits from regular monitoring and maintenance.

St Kilda Eyecare

Dry Eye treatment

Get to the cause of dry, gritty, tired eyes – not just the symptoms.

Stinging eyes by 3pm. Reaching for drops before you’ve even left the house. Contacts that feel like sandpaper after a few hours out. If any of that sounds familiar, you’re not imagining it – and you don’t have to just live with it.

At St Kilda Eyecare, we treat dry eye properly: find what’s actually causing it, then build a plan around your eyes, not a generic one-size-fits-all fix.

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Melbourne

Understanding Dry Eye

Dry eye isn’t one condition – it’s a handful of different things that can all show up as the same symptoms:

Not producing enough tears
Tears evaporating too fast
Blocked or dysfunctional meibomian glands (the oil glands in your eyelids)
Environmental and lifestyle triggers – screens, air-con, wind, contact lens wear, late nights

Most people have a combination of symptoms, that is why a proper assessment is important.

Common signs of Dry Eye

Symptoms show up differently for everyone, but here are common signs:

Stinging, burning or general irritation
Redness or sensitivity to light
Watery eyes (yes – that’s often a dry eye response, not the opposite)
Blurry or fluctuating vision
Eyes that feel tired or heavy, especially after screen time

Symptoms tend to spike in air-conditioned spaces, on windy days by the beach, or after a long stretch on a screen.

Not sure what is causing your symptoms?

Dry eye can have a range of underlying causes. A comprehensive assessment allows us to identify these and
recommend the best treatment for you.

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When should you seek treatment?

You should consider a dry eye assessment if:

Symptoms are persistent or worsening
You rely on eye drops regularly
Your vision fluctuates throughout the day
Your eyes feel tired or uncomfortable after screen use

Early treatment can prevent symptoms from becoming more severe and more difficult to manage.

Your Dry Eye assessment

Dry eye is often an ongoing condition, but with the right approach, symptoms can be significantly improved.

At St Kilda Eyecare, we begin with a comprehensive assessment to understand both the cause and severity of your condition.

Your consultation may include:

Tear film analysis
Meibomian gland evaluation
Ocular surface assessment
Review of lifestyle and environmental factors

Once we have a clear understanding of your dry eye, we will explain your results and recommend a personalised treatment plan tailored to your needs.

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Our approach to Dry Eye treatment

Effective dry eye management requires more than a single solution.

We use a structured, tiered approach – combining home care, in-clinic treatments and ongoing monitoring to achieve long-term results.

Foundational Treatments

Warm compress therapy
Eyelid hygiene routines
Lubricating eye drops

These support tear film stability and form the foundation of most treatment plans.

In-Clinic Treatments

Blephasteam® moisture therapy
Meibomian gland expression
BlephEx™ eyelid exfoliation

These treatments address inflammation and gland dysfunction more directly.

Advanced Dry Eye Therapy

For more persistent symptoms, advanced treatments may be recommended, including:

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) therapy
Prescription medications
Targeted anti-inflammatory treatments

Learn more about IPL Dry Eye Treatment

Dry Eye FAQs

What's the most effective treatment for dry eye?

Depends on what’s causing it. A proper plan might include drops, in-clinic treatment, or advanced options like IPL – which is why the assessment matters more than guessing.

Can dry eye be cured for good?

It’s usually a chronic, ongoing condition rather than something with a one-off cure – but symptoms can be very well managed with the right plan.

Does screen time cause dry eye?

It’s a major contributor. You blink less when you’re staring at a screen, which destabilises your tear film and dries things out.

How long until treatment works?

Some people notice a difference within a few weeks. Others need an ongoing plan depending on severity.

Will I need treatment long-term?

Often, yes. Dry eye tends to benefit from regular monitoring and maintenance rather than a single fix.