Dry eye syndrome is one of the most common eye conditions seen in optometry practice, yet a significant number of people living with it have never received a formal diagnosis. Many attribute the discomfort to tiredness, ageing or the Southland weather and in part, they are right about the last one. Invercargill’s persistent winds, high UV exposure and cold dry winters create conditions that aggravate the ocular surface year-round. Understanding what dry eye syndrome actually is, and what drives it, is the first step toward managing it properly.
What Is Dry Eye Syndrome
Dry eye syndrome occurs when the eye fails to maintain a stable, healthy tear film across its surface. This happens either because the eye does not produce enough tears, or because the tears it does produce evaporate too quickly. The tear film is a three-layer structure: a mucus base that anchors the film to the eye surface, a watery middle layer that hydrates and nourishes the cornea, and an outer oil layer that slows evaporation. When any part of this system breaks down, the ocular surface becomes exposed, irritated and uncomfortable.
The Two Types of Dry Eye
Dry eye syndrome falls into two broad clinical categories, and distinguishing between them matters because each requires a different treatment approach.
Aqueous-deficient dry eye occurs when the lacrimal glands do not produce enough of the watery layer to keep the eye adequately lubricated. Evaporative dry eye, the more common of the two, occurs when tear production is adequate but the oil layer is insufficient, causing tears to evaporate from the eye surface too quickly. The leading cause of evaporative dry eye is meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), a condition in which the small oil-producing glands along the eyelid margins become blocked or produce poor-quality secretions. Inflammation plays a central role in both types, often perpetuating the cycle of symptoms and surface damage regardless of the original cause.
| Type | Primary cause | Key characteristic |
| Aqueous-deficient | Reduced tear production from the lacrimal glands | Not enough tears |
| Evaporative | Meibomian gland dysfunction | Tears evaporate too quickly |
Common Causes and Risk Factors
Dry eye syndrome develops from a combination of physiological, systemic and lifestyle factors rather than a single cause. Age is one of the most consistent risk factors as tear production and meibomian gland function both decline from around 40 years of age. Women are more likely to develop the condition than men, and hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause are a well-established contributor. Contact lens wear alters the tear film and reduces the oxygen supply to the cornea, raising the risk significantly. Several medication categories including antihistamines, some antidepressants and oral contraceptives, can reduce tear secretion as a side effect. Systemic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren syndrome, rosacea and diabetes are also associated with dry eye.
Risk factors at a glance:
- Age 40 and over
- Female sex, particularly during and after menopause
- Contact lens wear
- High daily screen time
- Certain medications including antihistamines and oral contraceptives
- Systemic conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren syndrome and diabetes
- Previous eye surgery, including laser refractive procedures
- Rosacea (associated with meibomian gland dysfunction)
Environmental Triggers in Invercargill and Southland
Invercargill’s climate creates specific conditions that place additional stress on the ocular surface. The region’s persistent westerly and south-westerly winds accelerate tear evaporation and carry airborne particles that irritate the eye surface. Cold, dry air in winter reduces ambient humidity, and indoor heating compounds this by lowering it further still. New Zealand also has some of the highest ultraviolet radiation levels in the world, and sustained UV exposure affects the health of the conjunctiva and ocular surface over time. Screen use, particularly in lower-humidity indoor environments during the cooler months, reduces blink rate and disrupts the tear film with each hour of use.
Environmental triggers relevant to Southland residents:
- Persistent westerly winds that accelerate tear evaporation
- Cold, dry winter air with reduced ambient humidity
- Indoor heating that lowers humidity further in homes and workplaces
- High UV radiation year-round, not only in summer
- Extended screen use combined with low-humidity indoor environments
- Air conditioning in commercial and office settings
Recognising the Symptoms
Dry eye symptoms vary between people and can fluctuate significantly depending on environment and daily activity, which is why many people do not immediately connect what they are experiencing to a clinical condition. One symptom that frequently surprises people is excessively watery or teary eyes. This is a reflex response to ocular surface irritation and is a well-recognised presentation of dry eye rather than evidence that the eyes are adequately lubricated. Symptoms tend to worsen in windy or low-humidity conditions and during or after prolonged screen use.
Common symptoms include:
- Gritty or foreign body sensation, as though something is in the eye
- Burning or stinging
- Persistent dryness or ocular discomfort
- Intermittent blurred vision that improves when blinking
- Watery or excessively teary eyes
- Eye and eyelid redness
- Sensitivity to light
- Discomfort or intolerance with contact lens wear
- A persistent urge to blink more frequently
- Eye fatigue during screen use or reading
Is Dry Eye a Chronic Condition?
Dry eye syndrome is typically a chronic condition that requires ongoing management rather than a single course of treatment that resolves it permanently. This does not mean symptoms cannot be well controlled. For most people, appropriate treatment produces significant and sustained relief. A useful parallel is hay fever or high blood pressure: both are managed over time rather than cured, and both respond well to the right clinical approach. Without treatment, dry eye tends to progress. The inflammation that drives it can worsen over time, leading to greater ocular surface damage, reduced contact lens tolerance and, in more significant cases, corneal involvement. Early assessment and consistent management are the clinical reasons to act rather than wait.
When to See an Optometrist
Self-managing dry eye with over-the-counter drops is reasonable for mild, infrequent symptoms. Professional assessment becomes important when symptoms persist, worsen or begin to affect daily life. An optometrist can identify the type of dry eye present, assess the health of the meibomian glands and ocular surface, and develop a treatment plan that addresses the cause rather than just the symptoms, something a trip to the pharmacy cannot provide.
Consider booking an appointment if you notice:
- Eye discomfort or grittiness that has persisted for more than a few weeks
- Symptoms that interfere with work, driving or screen use
- Contact lens discomfort that is worsening or making wear increasingly difficult
- Blurred vision that does not resolve by blinking
- Increased sensitivity to light or wind
- A significant change in the frequency or intensity of symptoms
Talk to Lobb Optical
The team at Lobb Optical has experience assessing and managing dry eye syndrome for patients across Invercargill and Southland. A consultation starts with a thorough examination of your tear film and eye surface, giving us a clear picture of what is driving your symptoms and what treatment will suit you best. Book an eye examination today.
