Dr Diane Hilal-Campo on dry eye and the power of small lifestyles changes. ‘No one should accept sore, irritated eyes as ‘normal’.
- Dry Eye Zone
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
When people think about dry eye, they often assume it is purely a medical problem — something that can only be managed with eye drops or clinical treatments. Getting professional advice is essential but everyday habits can play a major role in how dry, irritated, or comfortable your eyes feel.
Dr Diane Hilal-Campo is an ophthalmologist and surgeon with a special interest in dry eye management. In response to seeing her patients struggle to find dry eye friendly products and make the right life-style choices she founded the Twenty/Twenty Beauty. Diane joined the Dry Eye Zone for a chat where she shared just how powerful small lifestyle changes can be when it comes to protecting the ocular surface and improving eye comfort.
Read on to discover some of the highlights of the discussion…
1. Why sleep matters more than you think
Sleep is not just rest for your brain — it’s repair time for your eyes. Research shows that poor sleep can increase dry eye symptoms by up to 50%. During the day, your eyes are constantly exposed to air, dust, screens, and tear evaporation. At night, closed eyes allow the ocular surface to recover, repair microscopic damage, and restore tear film balance. Poor sleep quality can:
Worsen dryness and irritation
Reduce tear film stability
Make eyes feel painful or gritty on waking
You can help make nights easier on your eyes by introducing simple night time habits can make a big difference:
Remove all eye makeup before bed
Clean eyelids and lashes gently
Use a warming eye mask before sleep
Apply lubricating dry eye drops, gels, or ointments at night
Increase bedroom humidity (aim for 40–60%)
These steps help protect the eyes during their most important recovery period.
2. Eye Hygiene is not just for makeup wearers
Eyelid hygiene is essential — for everyone, not just people who wear makeup. Eyelid cleansing is one of the essential pillars of successful dry eye management. Bacteria, and other microorganisms around the eyelids can:
Break down the tear film
Increase inflammation
Worsen dry eye symptoms
Contribute to lid margin disease
Daily cleansing of the eyelids and lashes, combined with antibacterial sprays such as hypochlorous, can significantly reduce irritation and support long-term eye comfort.
3. Hydration and Nutrition: Feeding the Tear Film
Many people are unknowingly dehydrated — and the eyes often show it first. When your body is short on water, it prioritises vital organs like the brain and kidneys. Tear production suffers as a result. Helpful dietary habits include:
Drinking enough water consistently (not excessively)
Eating omega-3 rich foods (salmon, flaxseed, chia seeds)
Including leafy greens for lutein and zeaxanthin
Getting antioxidants from fruit, nuts, and vegetables
For some people, nutritional changes alone noticeably improve dry eye comfort.
4. Screens, Blinking, and Modern Life
Screens are unavoidable — but they dramatically reduce blink rate. When staring at a screen:
Blinking becomes less frequent and incomplete
Tears evaporate faster
Eye discomfort builds gradually
Prevention is far easier than trying to reverse damage later so here are some helpful strategies:
Following the 20-20-20 rule
Blinking fully and consciously
Using preservative-free drops before discomfort starts
Adding a desk-side humidifier
5.Cosmetics: A Hidden Trigger for Dry Eye
One of the most overlooked contributors to dry eye is eye makeup and skincare products. Common mistakes include:
Applying eyeliner on the inner “wet line”
Using products with harsh preservatives or fragrances
Powder shadows that shed particles into the eye
Incomplete makeup removal
Some cosmetic ingredients can permanently damage the oil-producing glands in the eyelids — glands that do not regenerate once lost.
6. A critical warning on retinols
Retinol and vitamin-A derivatives should never be used around the eyelids. Even products applied to the face can migrate during sleep and harm delicate oil glands over time. Choosing eye-safe formulations and removing makeup thoroughly every night can protect long-term eye health.
7. When Self-Care is not Enough
Lifestyle changes are powerful — but they have limits. If you:
Need preservative-free drops more than four times a day
Experience burning, pain, or ongoing irritation
Notice symptoms are getting worse
If you are agreeing with the statements above then it is time for you to seek professional advice. Persistent discomfort is a sign that damage may be occurring, and early intervention is key.
Concluding remarks from Dr Diane Hill - Small Changes, Lasting Comfort
Dry eye does not always start with a medical diagnosis — it often starts with everyday habits. The encouraging news is that small, consistent changes in sleep, hygiene, nutrition, screen use, and cosmetics can significantly improve comfort and protect long-term eye health.
A huge thank you to Diane from everyone at the Dry Eye Zone for generously sharing her expertise. We hope you find it useful.
Make sure you explore the many links in this blog to bring more depth to the subjects touched on here and to help give you a fuller knowledge of all things dry eye related.
You can learn more about all things dry eye related at the DRY EYE ZONE. Don’t forget to subscribe to the regular free information and research updates.
If you are experiencing dry eye symptoms then you should ask the advice of your eye care professional. Why not book your next eye examination with an independent optician today.
Source:
Cosmetics, Sleep and Lifestyle: Daily Habits Impact Eye Comfort | Dry Eye January Webinar
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