Dry eyes in Dubai: why they are common and when to see a specialist

Dry Eyes in Dubai: Why They Are Common and When to See a Specialist

Dry eye syndrome is one of the most common eye conditions in the UAE, and Dubai, with its unique combination of desert climate, intense air conditioning, and high screen usage, creates almost ideal conditions for its development. Yet despite how prevalent it is, many people living with dry eyes either do not recognize what they have, attribute it to something else entirely, or are managing it inadequately with over-the-counter drops.

Why dry eye is so common in Dubai

Several factors in Dubai's environment converge to make dry eye syndrome particularly prevalent. The desert climate keeps ambient humidity low, and dry air draws water from any exposed surface, including the tear film. Air conditioning in homes, offices and cars reduces indoor humidity further. Fine dust is present year-round and rises sharply during shamal seasons, which irritates the ocular surface. Long hours at a screen, common in Dubai office work, reduce how often people blink, and less blinking means tears are spread less evenly across the eye.

The result is that a large proportion of the population in Dubai has some degree of dry eye disease, from mild intermittent symptoms to chronic, sight-affecting disease.

What is dry eye syndrome?

Dry eye syndrome (also called dry eye disease or keratoconjunctivitis sicca) is a condition in which the tear film, the thin layer of tears that coats the eye surface with every blink, is insufficient in quantity, quality, or stability. When the tear film breaks down too quickly, the surface of the eye is exposed, causing irritation, inflammation, and a cascade of symptoms.

There are two main categories: aqueous-deficient dry eye, where the lacrimal gland does not produce enough tear fluid, and evaporative dry eye, where the oil layer of the tear film (produced by the meibomian glands in the eyelids) is deficient, causing tears to evaporate too quickly. Evaporative dry eye, often associated with meibomian gland dysfunction, is the more common form, and it has a direct connection to eyelid health.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of dry eye disease include a persistent sensation of grittiness, burning, or stinging in the eyes, sensitivity to light, redness, a feeling of something in the eye, and visual fluctuation that temporarily improves with blinking. Paradoxically, watery eyes are also a common symptom, when the eye surface is chronically irritated, the lacrimal gland produces reflex tears that overflow, causing tearing without providing lasting relief.

Symptoms are typically worse in air-conditioned environments, on long-haul flights, during or after screen use, in windy or dusty conditions, and with contact lens wear.

The connection between dry eye and eyelid health

The eyelids play a central role in tear film health. The meibomian glands, which produce the oil layer that prevents tear evaporation, are located within the upper and lower eyelids. When these glands become blocked or dysfunctional, a condition called meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), the oil layer is compromised and evaporative dry eye follows.

Eyelid malposition, where the lid does not sit correctly against the eye surface, can also significantly worsen dry eye. Conditions such as eyelid laxity, ectropion, or lagophthalmos (incomplete eyelid closure) affect tear distribution and corneal protection. This is one of the reasons oculoplastic surgeons, who manage both eyelid structure and ocular surface health, are well-placed to manage complex dry eye disease.

When should I see a specialist?

Mild dry eye can often be managed with lubricating eye drops and environmental modifications, a humidifier at your desk, conscious blinking exercises during screen use, and reducing direct air conditioning exposure to the eyes. However, specialist assessment is warranted if your symptoms are persistent despite basic measures, if they are affecting your vision or quality of life, if you wear contact lenses and are struggling, if you notice significant redness or discharge, or if your symptoms have developed acutely.

Untreated chronic dry eye can lead to corneal surface damage, which has implications for vision and for any future eye surgery you may consider, including laser vision correction or cataract surgery.

What does specialist treatment involve?

A specialist assessment of dry eye disease involves examination of the ocular surface, assessment of tear film quality and stability, evaluation of the meibomian glands, and in some cases imaging of the glands themselves. Treatment is tailored to the underlying cause and may include preservative-free lubricant drops, anti-inflammatory drops, in-clinic meibomian gland treatments such as warm compression therapy or expression, omega-3 supplementation, or punctal plugs to conserve tear drainage.

If eyelid malposition is a contributing factor, surgical correction of the eyelid may be part of the treatment plan.

About Dr. Lama Jurdy

Dr. Lama Jurdy is a Specialist Ophthalmologist and Oculoplastic Surgeon at Magrabi Health, Dubai. She manages dry eye disease in the context of eyelid health and ocular surface care. She consults in Arabic and English. To book a consultation, visit drlamajurdy.com.