How to Cure Dry Eyes Permanently: 3 Professional Treatment Options for Dry Eyes Syndrome

The lacrimal glands produce the watery component of your tears. They are located above each eye. When these glands don’t produce enough tears, your eye’s surface becomes inadequately lubricated, leading to dry eyes. This decreased production can result from aging, certain medical conditions like Sjögren’s syndrome or rheumatoid arthritis, hormonal changes (particularly in women experiencing menopause), or as a side effect of medications such as antihistamines, antidepressants, and blood pressure drugs.

Even with normal tear production, dry eyes can develop when tears evaporate too quickly from the eye’s surface. The most common cause of increased evaporation is meibomian gland dysfunction, where the oil-producing glands in your eyelids become clogged or don’t function properly. Without sufficient oil in your tear film, tears evaporate more rapidly. Other factors contributing to increased evaporation include environmental conditions (low humidity, wind, smoke), prolonged screen time that reduces blinking frequency, and eyelid problems that expose more of the eye’s surface to air.

For those seeking natural alternatives to commercial eye drops, castor oil is considered one of the most effective natural lubricants for dry eyes. Its thick, viscous nature helps reduce tear evaporation and can improve the lipid layer function that protects tears. Cold-pressed, organic, hexane-free castor oil formulated for ophthalmic use is the safest option, as regular cosmetic castor oil may contain impurities. Other natural options include oral flaxseed oil supplements to improve tear quality from within, though these should be used under professional guidance.

• Increase omega-3 fatty acid intake through foods like fatty fish (salmon, mackerel), flaxseeds, and walnuts, or through supplements to improve the quality of your tear film and reduce inflammation associated with dry eyes.
• Practice proper eyelid hygiene by gently cleaning your eyelids daily with a mild cleanser or baby shampoo diluted with warm water to remove debris that can contribute to meibomian gland blockage and tear film instability.
• Improve your blinking habits by practicing complete, deliberate blinks (where upper and lower lids fully meet) several times a day, especially during computer use when your blinking rate naturally decreases.
• Manage your indoor environment by using a humidifier to maintain 40-50% humidity, avoid direct airflow from fans or air conditioning units, and consider an air purifier to reduce irritants that can trigger dry eyes.
• Drink 8-10 glasses of water daily to ensure proper hydration for tear production and overall body function.
• Consider herbal tea remedies like chamomile or fennel tea, which have anti-inflammatory properties when used as a cool compress (after brewing and cooling the tea) applied to closed eyelids.

Eye care professionals can prescribe medications for more severe types of dry eyes. These dry eye treatments go beyond over-the-counter prescription eye drops and provide long-term relief. Anti-inflammatory medications like cyclosporine (Restasis) or lifitegrast (Xiidra) reduce inflammation on the eye’s surface and increase tear production over time. These prescription drops typically require consistent use for several weeks before noticeable improvement occurs. Doctors may also prescribe short-term corticosteroid eye drops to reduce inflammation quickly before transitioning to longer-term treatments.

Punctal plugs are tiny devices inserted into the tear ducts (puncta) to block drainage and keep your natural tears on your eye’s surface longer. These plugs are the size of a grain of rice and can be temporary (dissolving over time) or semi-permanent, depending on the material used. The procedure is quick, painless, and performed in-office without requiring anesthesia. Punctal plugs are particularly effective for aqueous-deficient dry eye when tear production is low, and they can often be combined with other treatments for comprehensive dry eye management.

Specialized in-office procedures offer effective relief for patients with more severe or resistant dry eye symptoms, especially those related to meibomian gland dysfunction. LipiFlow is a thermal pulsation system that applies controlled heat and pressure to the eyelids to clear blocked meibomian glands and improve oil secretion. Another option, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy, uses light energy to reduce inflammation and improve gland function. These advanced treatments typically show results after just one or two sessions, though multiple treatments may be recommended for optimal and lasting improvement.