Does Manuka honey actually work for dry eye?

Yes, with evidence. A randomised controlled trial (Albietz & Schmid, 2017) tested Optimel Manuka products in 114 people with evaporative dry eye due to meibomian gland dysfunction. The gel improved oil (meibum) quality and the drops reduced eyelid-margin bacteria. It works best as an adjunct alongside warm compresses, lid hygiene and lubricants, not as a standalone cure.

Which Optimel product should I use?

As a guide: the Forte gel targets meibomian gland and oil quality and is useful overnight, the drops reduce lid-margin bacteria and give daytime lubrication, and the eyelid cream protects dry, flaky lid skin. The right choice depends on what is driving your symptoms, which an eye examination establishes.

Is stinging from Manuka honey eye drops normal?

Temporary stinging and redness on application are common and settle quickly. This is expected and not a reason to stop using the product.

What are the best eye drops for dry eyes?

There is no single “best” eye drop for dry eye, as treatment depends on the underlying cause. According to the TFOS DEWS III framework, dry eye is a multifactorial disease involving tear film instability, inflammation, and ocular surface damage. For many patients, preservative-free lubricating eye drops are recommended as first-line therapy, particularly for frequent or long-term use. An optometrist can help select drops based on tear quality, evaporation rate, and ocular surface findings.

How often should I use eye drops for dry eyes?

The frequency of eye drop use depends on symptom severity and the type of drop used. Preservative-free drops may be used multiple times per day, whereas preserved drops should be used less frequently to avoid ocular surface irritation. If drops are needed more than 4–6 times daily, clinical guidance generally recommends preservative-free formulations and a dry eye assessment.

Can you use eye drops too often?

Yes. Overuse of preserved eye drops can worsen dry eye symptoms by disrupting the tear film and irritating the ocular surface. DEWS III emphasises minimising preservative exposure and addressing underlying causes—such as meibomian gland dysfunction or inflammation—rather than relying solely on frequent lubrication.

What is the difference between Polytears, Systane, and Hylo eye drops?

Polytears, Systane, and Hylo are lubricating eye drops, but they differ in formulation, viscosity, and preservative status. Some are better suited for mild, intermittent dryness, while others are designed for more persistent symptoms or contact lens wear. Brand name alone does not determine suitability; clinical evaluation does.

Are preservative-free eye drops better for dry eyes?

For many patients, yes. Preservative-free eye drops are commonly recommended for moderate to severe dry eye, frequent use, contact lens wear, and sensitive eyes. DEWS III highlights that long-term preservative exposure can contribute to ocular surface irritation in some people.

Can contact lens wear make dry eye worse?

Contact lenses can exacerbate dry eye symptoms by disrupting tear film stability and increasing evaporation. However, with appropriate lens materials, care systems, and compatible eye drops, many contact lens wearers can remain comfortable. Drops labelled as safe for use with contact lenses are typically preferred during lens wear.

How do I know which eye drops are right for me?

Dry eye is not a single condition. Effective management requires identifying whether symptoms are driven by evaporation, aqueous deficiency, inflammation, or eyelid disease. A dry eye assessment—including tear stability, ocular surface staining, and meibomian gland evaluation—helps guide targeted treatment rather than trial-and-error.

Are thicker eye drops better than watery ones?

Not always. Thicker drops may provide longer relief but can blur vision and may not be ideal for daytime use. Thinner drops may be better tolerated but may require more frequent application. DEWS III supports matching drop viscosity to symptom pattern and lifestyle needs.

Can dry eye be treated without eye drops?

Yes. While lubricating drops are commonly used, DEWS III emphasises a stepwise approach that may include eyelid hygiene, heat therapy, management of meibomian gland dysfunction, environmental modification, and lifestyle changes such as reducing prolonged screen use. Eye drops often remain part of treatment when symptoms affect comfort or visual quality.

When should I see an optometrist for dry eyes?

Seek professional assessment if symptoms are persistent, worsening, or affecting activities such as reading, screen use, or driving. Ongoing reliance on eye drops without improvement suggests an underlying issue that may require targeted treatment.

Manuka Honey for Dry Eye: Does the Evidence Stack Up?

Author: Jacqueline Rowe, BSc Chemistry, BOptom. Partner Optometrist, Rose Optometry; New Zealand Eye Research Centre.

Reviewed and published by the New Zealand Eye Research Centre. This article is general information, not a substitute for a personalised eye examination.

Manuka honey has a long history in wound care, and over the past decade it has earned a genuine evidence base in eye care too. At Rose Optometry we stock the Optimel range of antibacterial Manuka honey eye products — and because these are the exact products used in the key clinical trials, it is worth looking honestly at what the research shows.

What is Manuka honey doing in an eye drop?

Manuka honey (from Leptospermum species) has natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. On the ocular surface and lid margin, this helps rebalance the bacterial load and calm the inflammation that drives many cases of dry eye and blepharitis. Optimel products are standardised medical-grade honey formulated specifically for the eye — not something to improvise at home.

What the evidence shows

The landmark study is a randomised controlled trial by Albietz and Schmid, published in Clinical and Experimental Optometry (2017). It tested the actual Optimel products in 114 participants with evaporative dry eye due to meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD):

The Optimel 98% antibacterial Manuka eye gel significantly improved meibum (oil) quality and gland expressibility — the core problem in MGD.
The Optimel 16% Manuka lubricant drops significantly reduced eyelid-margin bacterial counts and cut the need for lubricating drops the most.

A separate investigator-masked randomised trial led by Professor Jennifer Craig's group at the University of Auckland (The Ocular Surface, 2020) found a Manuka honey microemulsion eye cream improved signs of blepharitis over three months. And a tear-film study by Tan and colleagues (British Journal of Ophthalmology, 2020) showed a Leptospermum honey eye drop improved tear-film measures.

The honest caveats

Good clinical information includes the limitations:

Optimel works best as an adjunctive therapy — alongside warm compresses, lid hygiene and preservative-free lubricants — not as a standalone cure.
Temporary stinging and redness on application are common and settle quickly. This is expected, not a reason to stop.
It suits MGD and blepharitis-related dry eye best; it is not the right first choice for every dry eye type.

Which Optimel product is right for you?

As a rough guide from the evidence: the Forte gel targets meibomian gland and meibum quality (useful overnight), while the drops are better suited to reducing lid-margin bacteria and daytime lubrication. The eyelid cream protects dry, flaky lid skin. The right choice depends on what is actually driving your symptoms — which is exactly what an eye examination establishes.

Talk to us

Rose Optometry is an independent, optometrist-owned practice in Hamilton, and the New Zealand Eye Research Centre is our clinical research arm. If you would like to know whether Manuka honey products suit your eyes, we are happy to help — book an appointment or ask us when your order arrives.

References

Albietz JM, Schmid KL. Randomised controlled trial of topical antibacterial Manuka (Leptospermum species) honey for evaporative dry eye due to meibomian gland dysfunction. Clin Exp Optom. 2017;100(6):603–615. PMID: 28585260.
Craig JP, Cruzat A, Cheung IMY, Watters GA, Wang MTM. Randomized masked trial of the clinical efficacy of MGO Manuka honey microemulsion eye cream for the treatment of blepharitis. Ocul Surf. 2020;18(1):170–177. PMID: 31759183.
Tan J, Jia T, Liao R, Stapleton F. Effect of a formulated eye drop with Leptospermum spp honey on tear film properties. Br J Ophthalmol. 2020;104(10):1373–1377.

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