Dry Eye Syndrome Treatment in Cape Town

What Is Dry Eye Syndrome?

Dry Eye Syndrome is a widespread eye condition affecting between 5% and 15% of the population, with symptoms becoming more common and severe with age.

In today’s digital world, modern lifestyle factors are significantly increasing the prevalence of chronic dry eyes, including:

  • Prolonged screen time (computers, tablets, smartphones)

  • Driving for extended periods

  • Exposure to air conditioning or heating systems

  • Air pollution and environmental irritants

  • Artificial lighting

  • Contact lens wear

These everyday triggers contribute to reduced tear production or poor tear film quality, resulting in burning, stinging, blurred vision, and eye fatigue.

If you’re experiencing persistent discomfort, blurry vision, or red, irritated eyes, you may be suffering from dry eye syndrome.

What Causes Dry Eye Syndrome?

Dry eye syndrome occurs when the eye’s natural tear film becomes unstable. This can happen due to either insufficient tear production or excessive tear evaporation.

In fact, most cases are caused by evaporative dry eye, where the problem lies in the lipid (oil) layer of the tear film. This outer layer is produced by the meibomian glands, located along the upper and lower eyelids. When these glands are blocked or underperforming – known as meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) – the tears evaporate too quickly, leading to dry, irritated, and blurry eyes.

The Role of Meibomian Glands in Tear Film Stability

Each eye contains approximately 80 meibomian glands, which secrete essential lipids (fats) that:

  • Prevent premature tear evaporation

  • Help the tear film spread evenly across the eye

  • Adapt to the curvature and irregularities of the eye surface

  • Support a smooth, lubricated blink

These lipids consist of polarised fatty acids that remain fluid at body temperature and form a stable, non-polarised surface layer – crucial for keeping the tear film intact. The Riolan muscle plays a key role in spreading this tear film across the eye with every blink.

When the lipid layer is deficient, the tear film breaks down rapidly, resulting in dryness, discomfort, and visual disturbances.

The 3 Layers of the Tear Film

A stable tear film is essential for eye health and clear vision. It consists of three layers:

Mucous Layer

Innermost layer

Secreted by conjunctival goblet cells

Helps tears adhere to the eye surface

Aqueous (Water) Layer

Middle layer

Produced by the lacrimal glands

Provides hydration, oxygen, and nutrients

Lipid (Oil) Layer

Outermost layer

Produced by the meibomian glands

Prevents tear evaporation and maintains tear film stability

Disruption in any of these layers – especially the lipid layer – can lead to chronic dry eye syndrome and persistent ocular discomfort.

Diagnosing and Treating Dry Eye in Cape Town

At the Eye Laser & Cataract Centre, we offer advanced diagnostic tools, including Tearcheck and meibography, to assess meibomian gland health and tear film stability.

📍 Visit us at our clinics in Tygervalley, V&A Waterfront, or Paarl for personalised dry eye treatment plans designed to restore long-term comfort and clarity.

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

How Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) Affects Eye Health

When the lipid layer of the tear film, produced by the meibomian glands, is compromised, it leads to excessive tear evaporation, an unstable tear film, and inflammation of the conjunctiva.

This condition – known as evaporative dry eye – can cause visual disturbances, especially during prolonged near tasks like computer work or screen time. Common symptoms include:

  • Burning or stinging eyes

  • Blurred vision

  • Eye fatigue during reading or screen use

As the condition worsens, discomfort may become chronic, and patients may develop reflex tearing (paradoxical excessive tearing) due to poor tear film quality. In many cases, contact lens intolerance develops, making lens wear uncomfortable or impossible.

Potential Complications of Untreated MGD

Without treatment, meibomian gland dysfunction can lead to more serious ocular surface issues, including:

  • Atrophy of the meibomian gland openings

  • Styes and chalazion (blocked oil glands)

  • Conjunctival infections

  • Recurrent inflammation

  • Corneal micro-ulcerations, increasing the risk of vision loss

Limitations of Conventional Dry Eye Treatments

Traditional dry eye treatments, such as artificial tears or lubricating eye drops, offer only temporary relief. These substitution therapies often fail to address the root cause – meibomian gland dysfunction and lipid layer deficiency – leaving many patients with ongoing discomfort.

Intense Regulated Pulsed Light (IRPL)

E-Eye IRPL® – Advanced Pulsed Light Therapy for Dry Eye Syndrome

E-Eye IRPL® (Intense Regulated Pulsed Light) is a revolutionary non-invasive treatment for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), the leading cause of evaporative dry eye syndrome.

This cutting-edge device generates polychromatic pulsed light, delivering precisely calibrated pulses that are homogenous, controlled, and delivered in a sequenced pattern. These pulses stimulate the meibomian glands, helping them return to normal lipid secretion and restore the tear film’s stability.

How E-Eye Treatment Works

Each treatment session is quick, comfortable, and performed in-clinic:

  • Patients are seated in a reclining chair

  • Protective metal goggles are placed over the eyes

  • Optical gel is applied to the cheekbone and temple areas

  • A sequence of 5 light pulses is applied under each eye – from the inner corner (canthus) to the temple

  • The procedure is painless and completed in minutes

Within hours, the meibomian glands are reactivated, significantly improving tear quality and reducing symptoms like dryness, burning, blurry vision, and eye fatigue.

Recommended Treatment Protocol

For optimal results, a specific E-Eye IRPL protocol is followed:

  • Session 1 – Day 1

  • Session 2 – Day 15

  • Session 3 – Day 45

  • Optional Booster – Day 75

This treatment protocol is clinically proven to be effective in over 80% of patients with evaporative dry eye due to MGD.

Important Note on Treatment Scope

E-Eye IRPL is highly effective for dry eyes caused by lipid layer deficiency (MGD). However, it does not treat dry eye symptoms related to:

  • Aqueous-deficient dry eye

  • Mucous layer deficiencies

  • Secondary infections (which must be treated separately before IRPL can be initiated)

Book Your Dry Eye Consultation in Cape Town

Experience long-lasting dry eye relief with E-Eye IRPL therapy at the Eye Laser & Cataract Centre – available at our Tygervalley, V&A Waterfront, and Paarl locations.

📞 Contact us today to schedule a full tear film and meibomian gland assessment.

For more information about IRPL therapy you may contact us on 021 9100 300 or info@eyelaserclinic.co.za.