If your eyes often feel itchy, tired, burning, watery, or gritty – especially first thing in the morning or late at night – you may be experiencing dry eye or blepharitis.
Dry eye happens when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or the tears don’t work properly, leaving your eyes irritated and uncomfortable.
Blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelids, commonly caused by bacteria or tiny skin mites called Demodex. It can lead to redness, crusting, and a constant feeling of sore, heavy eyes.
At Adelaide City Optometrist, our caring local team uses advanced diagnostic technology to pinpoint the cause of your symptoms and provide tailored treatment to bring relief. We’ve helped hundreds of Adelaide residents manage their dry, irritated eyes – and we’re here to help you too.
Dry eye happens when your eyes aren’t properly lubricated. This can be because your tears don’t have the right balance of water, oils, and proteins, you don’t produce enough tears, or your tears evaporate too quickly. The result is itchy, burning, or gritty eyes, often worse in the morning or after screen use. Factors like ageing, rosacea, eczema, or wearing contact lenses can increase your risk of developing dry eye.
Blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelids, often caused by bacteria or tiny skin mites called Demodex. It can make your eyelids red, swollen, or crusty, and leave your eyes feeling sore or heavy. Blepharitis often occurs alongside dry eye, making symptoms feel worse.
At Adelaide City Optometrist, we carefully assess the underlying cause of your symptoms using advanced diagnostics, helping you get the right treatment and relief for your eyes.
These symptoms can range from mild irritation to more persistent discomfort that affects daily life. At Adelaide City Optometrist, our caring team can assess your eyes, identify the cause, and provide personalised treatment to restore comfort and eye health.
If these symptoms sound familiar, book an appointment today to find relief.
You don’t need to self-diagnose – our optometrists use advanced dry eye diagnostic tests to identify the exact cause of your symptoms. Understanding whether your discomfort comes from dry eyes or blepharitis is the first step toward effective treatment.
Our process begins with a thorough discussion about your dry eye symptoms and blepharitis symptoms, including when they occur and what makes them worse. Then, we perform several tests designed to pinpoint the source of your irritation:
Test Type:
Measures how quickly your tears evaporate and assesses the tear film stability to detect dry eye syndrome.
Measures the salt concentration in your tears which increases in dry eyes
Measures the health of oil glands in your eyelids and evaluates the gland function, often affected in blepharitis
Measures the damage to the surface of your eyes and uses special dyes to reveal corneal and conjunctival damage from dry eye syndrome.
Checks for biofilm or tiny skin mites and detects inflammation and Demodex infestation, a common cause of blepharitis.
After your dry eye test, our optometrists will explain the results and recommended personalised blepharitis or dry eye treatment to restore comfort and eye health.
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to dry eye syndrome or blepharitis. At Adelaide City Optometrist, we tailor treatment based on the root cause of your symptoms, ensuring you get the most effective relief for your eyes.
An in-clinic procedure that gently clears blocked oil glands in your eyelids, which are often the cause of dry eye symptoms. The optometrist applies mild pressure to each gland, releasing the natural oils that help keep your eyes lubricated. This is quick and usually pain-free, taking just a few minutes per eye. It is often repeated over several sessions to achieve long-term relief. The benefit is immediate improvement in gland function, reducing dry eyes and blepharitis symptoms.
Is a warm, moist heat therapy that helps soften and loosen debris in the eyelid glands. During the treatment, you wear a small steam mask for 10-15 minutes, which gently warms the eyelids and supports healthy oil flow. This is comfortable and soothing, with a gentle warming sensation. There are typically 3-4 sessions to achieve optimal results and can be used for ongoing maintenance. You will see a gradual improvement in eyelid health, helping to manage blepharitis and dry eye syndrome over the long term.
Visiting Adelaide City Optometrist for dry eye syndrome or blepharitis treatment is straightforward and tailored to your needs.
Blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelids, often caused by bacteria or blocked oil glands. Dry eye occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or the quality of your tears is poor. While they are separate conditions, they often occur together – blepharitis can cause or worsen dry eye symptoms.
Common symptoms include:
Blepharitis can be caused by:
Dry eye can be due to:
Treatment usually includes:
Use preservative-free artificial tears
Yes, both conditions are often chronic and require ongoing management. Regular eye exams and consistent lid hygiene significantly reduce flare-ups and improve comfort.
Book an appointment if:
Early treatment helps prevent long-term damage and improves quality of life.
Don’t let dry eyes or blepharitis symptoms interfere with your day. Book your dry eye and blepharitis consultation with our optometrists today and take the first step towards healthier, more comfortable eyes.
