Episode guests

A/Prof Holly Chinnery – University of Western Australia and Lions Eye Institute Corneal Immunology & Inflammation Research Fellow

Professor Laura Downie – University of Melbourne Ocular Surface & Anterior Eye Clinician-Scientist

Dr CeeCee Britten-Jones – University of Melbourne Senior Research Fellow

Mona – dry eye sufferer

Episode summary

Dry eye is something almost everyone experiences. That gritty feeling, burning, tiredness after screens, or irritation from wind or air-conditioning. But when does it stop being a nuisance and become a disease?

In this episode, Lien speaks with three leading Australian dry eye researchers to unpack:

• What dry eye disease really is
• Why it affects people so differently
• The two main subtypes of dry eye
• What drives symptoms and inflammation
• Current treatments and new research directions
• The emotional and mental health impact of chronic dry eye

We also hear from Mona, who shares her personal journey living with long-standing dry eye, and how it affected her daily life.

Content note

This episode includes discussions of mental health and suicide. Listener discretion is advised. Support services are listed below.

Key takeaways

1. Dry eye isn’t one disease, it’s an umbrella term for multiple types of tear film problems
2. Having the right balance at the ocular surface requires a lot of coordination. Even small disruptions can lead to symptoms like burning, stinging, gritty sensation, blurred vision, and fluctuating comfort.
3. Dry eyes can be inflammatory, and chronic. This explains why some people with mild signs experience severe symptoms, and why dry eye is linked with mental health impacts.
4. Post-surgical dry eye is common
5. There is data on Omega3 supplementation, but it is varied.

Finding help:

If you’re struggling with persistent dry eye, there are practitioners who specialise in dry eye diagnosis and management – from advanced imaging to tailored treatments including heat therapy, IPL, gland expression, and prescription options.

Find a specialist via:

• Optometry Australia “Find an Optometrist”
• Dry Eye Directory (Australia/NZ)

Additional resources:

• Healthdirect: Dry Eye Overview
• All About Vision – Dry Eye Resources

Mental Health Support (Australia)

• Lifeline 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636

Disclaimers

This episode is for education only and not individual medical advice. Always follow your own eye-care professional’s guidance for diagnosis and management of your eye condition.

Acknowledgements

Produced with support from Humdinger (Melbourne), Gulwa Recording Studio (Darwin), the University of Melbourne, the Centre for Eye Research Australia, Optometry Australia, and Mivision.

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