Dry Eye in the UAE: Advanced Treatments Beyond Artificial Tears at Barraquer Eye Hospital

02/10/2025

Living with dry, irritated, or watery eyes can be more than just a minor annoyance it can affect reading, working, and daily comfort. In the UAE's hot and dry climate, these symptoms are increasingly common. At Barraquer Eye Hospital UAE , our specialists understand the physical and emotional impact of chronic dry eye. Using advanced diagnostics and personalized treatments, including intense pulsed light therapy, punctal plugs, and prescription medications, we provide lasting relief and help patients regain comfort, clarity, and confidence in their vision.

Why Eye Dryness Is So Common in the UAE

Healthy eyes rely on a balanced tear film made of water, oil, and mucus. This delicate mix keeps the cornea nourished, prevents friction with every blink, and ensures that vision stays clear. When the balance is disrupted, the eyes dry out.

In the UAE, this disruption happens more often and more severely. The combination of extreme heat, frequent dust storms, and constant use of air conditioning creates the perfect storm for eye dryness. Add long hours on digital devices, where blinking is reduced by nearly half, and it is no surprise that so many people in this region struggle with irritated eyes.

Other contributors include autoimmune conditions like Sjögren's syndrome, hormonal changes in women, aging, and side effects of common medications such as antihistamines or antidepressants.

Why Drops Alone Aren't Enough

For many, the first step is over-the-counter drops. They wash the eye's surface and provide instant cooling, but they do not address the underlying problem.

People often end up carrying bottles in their handbags, desks, or cars, applying drops every hour just to function. The relief is short-lived, and the burning, stinging, and redness quickly return. The cycle becomes frustrating, exhausting, and emotionally draining. This is why drops alone are not enough for true, lasting comfort.

Advanced Treatments at Barraquer Eye Hospital UAE

At Barraquer Eye Hospital UAE, the approach is different. True relief begins with understanding the cause of dryness and then treating it at its source. Using advanced diagnostics, including tear film analysis and imaging of the oil glands, specialists can pinpoint what is missing or malfunctioning.

From there, modern therapies bring long-lasting results:

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL): Originally developed for skin treatments, IPL reduces eyelid inflammation and restores the function of the meibomian glands.
Amniotic Membrane Therapy: A biological option placed on the eye to heal and protect damaged ocular surfaces.
Punctal Plugs: Tiny devices placed in the tear ducts to keep natural tears from draining away.
Prescription Medications: Drops that reduce inflammation or stimulate natural tear production.

Together, these treatments go beyond surface-level fixes to restore health and balance.

Preventive Lifestyle Tips

Alongside advanced treatments, small lifestyle changes can make a big difference:

Stay hydrated , especially during the hot summer months in the UAE.
Follow the 20-20-20 rule when using screens: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Take regular breaks from screens to reduce digital strain.
Use humidifiers indoors to counteract air conditioning dryness.
Wear wraparound sunglasses outdoors to protect against sun, wind, and dust.

These simple adjustments do not replace medical treatment, but they support it and help maintain long-term comfort.

Why Early Care Matters

Ignoring dry eye can have lasting consequences. Beyond the irritation and inconvenience, severe untreated cases can cause corneal scarring, infections, and even permanent vision loss.

Early care prevents complications and ensures that treatment is more effective. This is why timely diagnosis matters. At Barraquer UAE, each treatment plan is tailored to the individual, based on detailed testing and a full understanding of lifestyle, health history, and daily needs.

A Future with Clear, Comfortable Vision

Chronic dry eye does not need to feel like a lifelong struggle. Thanks to modern therapies, patients today can look forward to real and lasting relief.

The goal is not just to soothe the irritation but to restore freedom—the freedom to read a book without interruption, to drive without discomfort, to focus on conversations instead of eye pain, and to feel comfortable and confident again.

At Barraquer UAE, the commitment goes beyond treating symptoms. The mission is to give every patient clarity, comfort, and control over their vision. Relief is possible, and with it comes a renewed sense of freedom to live fully.

Schedule a Consultation Today

For consultation, please contact us:

Email: appointments@barraquer.ae
Phone (Outside the UAE): +971 4 573 9999
Toll-Free (Within the UAE): 800 234823 (BEHUAE)
Availability: 7 days a week, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Extended hours on Monday until 8:00 PM

Our team will be pleased to assist you.