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Cornea & Ocular Surface

Dry Eye Treatment

Dry eye is a condition in which the eyes either produce too few tears or tears of poor quality, so the surface is inadequately protected and becomes gritty, burning and tired.

Speak to a specialist about Dry Eye Treatment in Agartala.

Call 8583948238

What is Dry Eye Treatment?

Dry eye is a condition in which the eyes either produce too few tears or tears of poor quality, so the surface is inadequately protected and becomes gritty, burning and tired.

Also known as: Dry eye disease · Evaporative dry eye · Meibomian gland dysfunction

Most dry eye is not a shortage of water but a failure of the oily layer that stops tears evaporating — which is why simply instilling more lubricant often gives only temporary relief, and why treating the eyelid glands matters.

Book a consultation

Talk to our specialist about Dry Eye Treatment.

Call 8583948238 or message on WhatsApp
Location
Colonel Chowmuhani, Agartala
Serving
All 8 districts of Tripura

How dry eye actually presents

  • Burning, grittiness or the feeling of sand in the eyes
  • Paradoxical watering — reflex tears triggered by a dry, irritated surface
  • Vision that blurs after a while and clears momentarily when you blink
  • Redness and heaviness of the eyes by the end of the day
  • Difficulty tolerating fans, air conditioning, smoke or long screen sessions
  • Contact lenses that used to be comfortable and no longer are

Contributing factors

  • Meibomian gland dysfunction and blepharitis — blocked oil glands at the lid margin
  • Prolonged screen use, which reduces blink rate substantially
  • Age and hormonal change, particularly after menopause
  • Medications such as antihistamines, some antidepressants and certain blood pressure drugs
  • Autoimmune conditions such as Sjögren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid disease
  • Long-term preserved eye drops, ceiling fans, air conditioning and dusty environments
  • Previous LASIK or other corneal surgery, temporarily reducing corneal sensation

Treatment options at Wills Eye

Tear film assessment

Tear break-up time, Schirmer testing and staining of the surface to grade severity and identify which layer is failing.

Lid hygiene and warm compresses

The mainstay for evaporative dry eye — done properly, daily, for weeks. This is unglamorous and it works.

Preservative-free lubricants

Chosen by viscosity to match severity; preservative-free formulations for anyone using drops more than four times a day.

Anti-inflammatory therapy

Short steroid courses or longer-term immunomodulator drops for inflammatory dry eye, always under supervision.

Punctal plugs

Tiny inserts that block tear drainage and keep the eye’s own tears on the surface longer, used in aqueous-deficient dry eye.

What to expect — step by step

  1. 1

    History

    Occupation, screen hours, medication list and any joint or dry mouth symptoms that suggest an autoimmune cause.

  2. 2

    Examination

    Lid margins, gland expression, tear meniscus and surface staining under the slit lamp.

  3. 3

    Staged treatment

    Starting with lid care and lubricants, adding anti-inflammatory therapy or plugs where the response is inadequate.

  4. 4

    Review

    Reassessed after four to six weeks, since dry eye is managed by adjustment over time rather than by a single prescription.

Why timing matters

Dry eye is chronic and it is manageable, but it is not usually curable — and treatment that is abandoned as soon as symptoms ease simply lets it return. It also matters before any surgery: untreated dry eye worsens after LASIK and degrades the accuracy of the measurements used to plan cataract surgery. Treating it first improves the result of both.

Dry Eye Treatment — frequently asked questions

Why do my eyes water if they are dry? +

A dry, irritated surface triggers a reflex flood of watery tears that lack the oily layer needed to stay put. Watering is one of the commonest presentations of dry eye.

Can I use eye drops from a shop every day? +

Occasional use is fine, but frequent use of preserved drops irritates the surface over time. If you need drops more than four times a day, use preservative-free ones and get assessed.

Are redness-relieving drops safe long term? +

No. Drops that whiten the eye constrict blood vessels and produce rebound redness with regular use. They treat the appearance, not the cause.

Will dry eye damage my vision permanently? +

Mild to moderate dry eye causes discomfort and fluctuating vision, not permanent loss. Severe untreated disease can damage the corneal surface, which is why it is worth managing properly.

This page is written for general information about dry eye treatment and is not a substitute for examination and advice from a qualified eye doctor. Treatment recommendations depend on your individual findings.