Dry eyes? Here’s why, and what you can actually do about it
With sun, screens, and constant AC, dry eye is now the UAE’s most overlooked epidemic.
Let’s get one thing straight: everyone’s rubbing their eyes these days. From boardroom warriors glued to screens to toddlers glued to tablets, dry eyes are no longer your grandmother’s problem. In fact, it’s a stealthy menace, sneaking into our daily lives with blurry vision, fatigue, and eye strain we casually blame on everything but the real culprit.
“Dry Eye Disease (DED) is far more than a buzzword,” says Dr Vikram Mohindra, Ophthalmology Specialist at Aster Hospital, Mankhool. “It’s a growing lifestyle disorder that has reached epidemic proportions.” While it once affected just 5 per cent of the population, recent studies place prevalence at 30 per cent to even 50 per cent in some regions. “And yet, many people don’t even know they have it.”
That underdiagnosis is part of the problem. According to Dr Osama Giledi, Consultant Ophthalmologist in Cataract, Cornea and Refractive Vision Correction Surgery at Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai, “Dry eye was once considered an age-related condition, but now we’re seeing it in children due to digital overuse.” In the UAE, he says, it’s become a widespread concern.
This isn’t just about dry, itchy eyes. DED can impact concentration, mood, and even your ability to function at work. “In severe cases, dry eye can be debilitating,” says Dr Aniruddha Agarwal, Associate Staff Physician, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. “Tasks like reading, driving, and using a computer become difficult. People don’t realise persistent fatigue and headaches may be eye-related.”
And because it mimics other conditions, such as like allergies in kids or seasonal irritation in adults, many sufferers go untreated for years. “Itching, watering, frequent rubbing, these can actually signal long-term structural damage if dry eye is left unchecked,” Agarwal adds.
Dr Marta Calatayud, Specialist Ophthalmologist at Barraquer Eye Hospital, agrees the condition is woefully underdiagnosed. “People normalise burning, fluctuating vision, and eye irritation. They treat symptoms without realising they’re facing a chronic disease.” Globally, more than 300 million people are affected. “In the US alone, dry eye costs over $55 billion annually in treatment and lost productivity,” she adds.
For Dr Puja Rai, Specialist Ophthalmologist at JTS Medical Centre, the condition is still widely underestimated. “It’s not just annoying, it affects quality of life. People can’t concentrate, can’t work, and over time, it may even lead to corneal damage.” And unlike seasonal allergies, DED doesn’t vanish. “It’s a chronic condition that demands long-term care and routine changes.”
A perfect storm in the UAE
In the UAE, dry eye isn’t just an uncomfortable side effect of modern living, it’s a full-blown lifestyle crisis.
“Dry eye is surging here because of a confluence of environmental and behavioural triggers,” says Dr Mohindra. “The dry desert climate, constant air conditioning, and heavy screen usage create the perfect storm.”
The region’s love for AC is a double-edged sword. “Air conditioning reduces indoor humidity drastically, accelerating tear evaporation,” explains Dr Calatayud. Dr Agarwal adds that direct AC vents worsen things by reducing blink frequency and disrupting the tear film.
That’s not the only environmental offender. “The UAE’s hot, dusty climate predisposes people to evaporative dry eye,” says Dr Rai. “Add in urban pollution, and you’re looking at chronic inflammation of the eye surface.”
Digital dependency plays an equally damaging role. “Prolonged screen use reduces blink rate by up to 60 per cent,” warns Dr Calatayud. And it’s not limited to adults. “Children, students, gamers, everyone’s eyes are being stressed,” says Dr Mohindra.
Where you place your screen matters too. “When devices are placed below eye level, the eyes open wider, exposing more surface area to air,” says Dr Alia Issa, Specialist Ophthalmologist and Aesthetic Oculoplastic Surgeon, Moorfields Eye Hospital. “That speeds up tear evaporation.”
Then there are lifestyle choices that backfire. “Makeup along the waterline, lash extensions, even permanent eyeliner can clog the meibomian glands,” says Dr Calatayud. “These glands are essential for maintaining the tear film’s stability.” Contact lenses, popular across the UAE, are another risk factor. “Worn in dry environments or without proper aftercare, they can significantly aggravate dry eye symptoms,” says Dr Giledi. Dr Rai notes that LASIK and blepharoplasty, both popular cosmetic procedures, can also interfere with tear production if not properly managed.
“On top of all this, hydration levels are often low, especially during fasting months like Ramadan,” Dr Rai adds. Dehydration reduces tear volume, while a poor diet lacking omega-3s and antioxidants compounds the issue. Dr Agarwal emphasises this too: “Eye health begins with proper hydration and nutrition. It’s not just about what you put in your eyes, it’s what you put in your body.”
New tech, better tears
For years, most sufferers relied on over-the-counter drops with mixed results. But a new generation of science-backed therapies is changing the game.
“There’s been a paradigm shift,” says Calatayud. “We’re now targeting the root causes, especially inflammation and meibomian gland dysfunction, not just masking symptoms.”
One of the most promising advancements is Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy. Originally used in dermatology, IPL is now treating dry eye by improving oil gland function and reducing inflammation. “It delivers light pulses around the eyelids to revive the meibomian glands,” explains Dr Mohindra. “It’s especially effective in patients with evaporative dry eye.”
“I’ve seen patients who had tried everything finally experience relief with IPL,”
Dr Issa says. “Studies show up to 90 per cent improvement after a few sessions.”
Other in-clinic options like LipiFlow and iLux deliver targeted heat and gentle pressure to unblock oil glands. “These therapies are ideal for people who haven’t seen results with home treatments,” Dr Calatayud notes.
Even eye drops have evolved. “Today’s artificial tears are sophisticated,” says Dr Agarwal. “We now have formulations designed to replenish specific components of the tear film, lipid, aqueous, or mucin.”
Dr Rai highlights that many of the newer options are preservative-free and better suited for hot, dry environments. “They offer longer relief and mimic natural tears more closely than older formulas.”
Then there’s personalised care. “For severe or unresponsive cases, we now use autologous serum eye drops, created from a patient’s own blood,” says Dr Agarwal. These are rich in growth factors and healing agents.
Prescription drops like cyclosporine (Restasis) and lifitegrast (Xiidra) also address inflammation at the cellular level. “These help patients with autoimmune conditions or severe DED,” says Dr Mohindra. “Often, the best results come from combining therapies, customised drops, IPL, lifestyle changes, and dietary support.”
Simple fixes, big results
Despite the medical advances, prevention still begins with habits. “The 20-20-20 rule is essential,” says Dr Mohindra. “Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. It resets your blinking pattern and reduces fatigue.”
Blinking, often overlooked, is powerful. “When we’re focused on screens, we blink less and incompletely,” says Dr Calatayud. “Conscious, full blinking can stabilise the tear film dramatically.”
Humidity also matters. “Recycled indoor air from AC units is drying,” says Dr Rai. “Use a humidifier at home or work to keep your environment eye-friendly.” For a more natural solution, Dr Agarwal recommends indoor plants. “They improve air quality and regulate humidity. Just make sure essential oils used nearby don’t irritate your eyes.”
Screen positioning can make a huge difference too. “Keep screens slightly below eye level to reduce exposure,” says Dr Issa. Dr Calatayud adds that blue light filters and glare reduction tools also help.
Rethink beauty routines, says Dr Rai. “Avoid tightlining or applying eyeliner on the waterline. Use gentle cleansers and remove makeup thoroughly every night.”
Nutrition plays an underrated role. “Omega-3s from oily fish, nuts, and seeds help stabilise the tear film,” says Dr Agarwal. “So do leafy greens and foods rich in beta-carotene like carrots.”
Finally, remember that sleep and exercise matter. “They sound basic, but they reduce inflammation and support tear production,” says Dr Mohindra. Dr Issa emphasises balance: “You don’t need drastic lifestyle changes, just consistent, mindful tweaks.”
Blink, breathe, repeat
Dry eye may be a modern affliction, but the fix doesn’t require a medical degree or a tech detox. Just awareness, expert care, and a few conscious habits.
“You don’t need to resign yourself to constant discomfort,” says Dr Rai. “The tools, knowledge, and treatments are all available.”
As Dr Agarwal sums it up, “The key is consistency. These small shifts, in how you work, eat, hydrate, and blink, can lead to long-term relief and healthier eyes.”
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