Irritated, gritty, or watery eyes? We can help.
Dry eye disease is common and often under-diagnosed. Studies suggest millions of Australians experience dry eye symptoms—estimates range from 5% to over 30% of adults, depending on age, environment, and screen time. If your eyes feel dry, stinging, tired, watery, or light-sensitive, you might have dry eye.
Book a Comprehensive Dry Eye Test
Common symptoms
- Gritty, burning, or stinging sensation
- Watery/teary eyes (reflex tearing)
- Blurry or fluctuating vision, worse at day’s end
- Light sensitivity and glare
- Redness, soreness, contact lens discomfort
Why it happens
Dry eye usually stems from one (or both) of these issues:
- Poor tear quality: Oil glands (meibomian glands) get blocked → tears evaporate too fast.
- Low tear volume: Not making enough tears (age, medications, health conditions).
Other contributors include long screen time, air-conditioning/heating, allergies, contact lens wear, and hormonal changes.
What if you leave dry eye untreated?
- Chronic inflammation and eyelid gland damage (meibomian gland dysfunction)
- Worsening discomfort and increased light sensitivity
- Unstable vision that affects work, driving, and reading
- Higher infection risk and, in severe cases, corneal damage
Early diagnosis and treatment help prevent long-term changes and keep you comfortable.
How we diagnose dry eye at Happy Eyes
We use advanced imaging to find the cause, not just the symptoms:
Oculus Keratograph M5
- Tear stability and evaporation (NIKBUT)
- Tear volume (tear meniscus height)
- Meibography to assess meibomian gland health
- Redness/ocular surface imaging to track inflammation
You’ll receive a clear explanation and a tailored plan.
Treatments we offer (tailored to you)
1) Lumenis OptiLight IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)
Clinically proven, FDA/TGA-approved technology for dry eye due to meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Helps reduce eyelid inflammation, improve gland function, and stabilise the tear film. Often performed as a series of sessions.
2) Meibomian gland therapy
In-clinic gland expression after IPL or heat to clear blockages and restore healthy oil flow.
3) Personalised home care
- Lubricating eye drops matched to your dry eye type
- Warm compresses & lid hygiene routines
- Screen/time-out strategies (20-20-20 rule) and environmental tweaks
- Omega-3 guidance where appropriate
4) Additional options (case-by-case)
- Referral to have punctal plugs to conserve tears
- Prescription anti-inflammatory/antibiotic drops if indicated
- Contact lens advice or adjustments
Your visit—all in one place
- Comprehensive dry eye testing with the Oculus Keratograph M5
- Diagnosis & explanation (you’ll know the “why,” not just the “what”)
- Tailored plan: home care + in-clinic therapy (e.g., OptiLight IPL)
- Follow-ups to fine-tune your results
Ready for lasting relief?
Don’t put up with sore, watery, or tired eyes. Get a precise diagnosis and a plan that works.