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.

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Nuance Audio

Nuance Audio Plus Panthos 48 — Hearing Glasses NZ (Burgundy)

$1,699.00 NZD

Sale Sold out

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Available to order — fitted by the optometrist team at Rose Optometry, Hamilton, and shipped NZ-wide.

If you have been searching for hearing aid glasses in NZ, this is the current state of the art: Nuance Audio Plus, launched September 2026, puts a hearing system for mild-to-moderate loss inside a prescription frame, with the battery, microphones and phone-call support the first generation lacked.

Panthos 48 in Burgundy

The Panthos 48 is the small, round panto in the Plus range and the only one with adjustable nosepads. That matters more than it sounds: the microphones only do their job when the frame sits at the right height, and gooseneck pads let us set that precisely on a narrow face or a low nose bridge.

The burgundy finish is a deep, glossy oxblood. It photographs darker than it looks in person.

Fit and sizing — Panthos 48

Lens 48mm · bridge 22mm · temple 145mm · lens height 40.4mm · hinge-to-hinge 122.7mm
Frame size XS (regular fit), adjustable gooseneck nosepads; round panto shape, unisex
Best on narrow faces and low or flat nose bridges, and for anyone whose glasses usually slide. If the 48mm eye looks small on you, the Square 53 is the step up.

Lens options for the Burgundy Panthos 48

Standard lenses — NZ$1,699. The frame arrives with demo lenses and our optometrists fit your prescription in Hamilton: single vision, progressive, occupational, blue-light or tinted. Lens pricing is quoted at your fitting.
Transitions® Clear to Emerald — NZ$1,859. Factory-fitted light-adaptive lenses: clear indoors, darkening outdoors in a tint chosen to suit the burgundy frame.

What Nuance Audio Plus does

Hearing support for mild-to-moderate difficulty, tuned in the app: four presets, Frontal or All-Around pickup
Beamforming mics — the upgrade over the original — for restaurants, cafés and meetings
Hands-free calls via Bluetooth
On-frame power switch and volume buttons; no need to reach for your phone
Approximately 10-hour battery

Designed for mild-to-moderate hearing difficulty — the point where a quiet conversation is easy but a restaurant is exhausting. Not a replacement for medical hearing aids in more significant loss; if your hearing has changed noticeably, have it tested first.

Why buy Nuance Audio Plus from Rose Optometry

We are optometrists first. That means the frame is adjusted so the microphones sit at the right height, your prescription goes in properly, and if the hearing side of things turns out to need more than Nuance Audio Plus can give, we will say so and point you to a hearing test in Hamilton rather than sell you the frame anyway.

Book a Nuance Audio Plus fitting in Hamilton → Try them on, hear them working in a real room, and leave with the app set up. Or order online and we will arrange fitting when you collect.

Nuance Audio Plus Panthos 48 Burgundy — frequently asked questions

How do Nuance Audio Plus hearing glasses work?

Two beamforming microphone arrays in the frame pick up the voice in front of you and suppress sound from the sides and behind; the processed sound is played through open-ear speakers hidden in the temples, so nothing sits in your ear canal. You choose Frontal or All-Around listening in the Nuance Audio app, set one of four amplification presets and a background-noise-reduction level, and adjust volume on the frame or in the app.

How much are Nuance Audio Plus glasses in New Zealand?

The Nuance Audio Plus Panthos 48 in Burgundy is NZ$1,699 with standard demo lenses (your prescription is then fitted by Rose Optometry, quoted separately at your appointment) or NZ$1,859 with Transitions® Clear to Emerald light-adaptive lenses factory-fitted. Those are EssilorLuxottica's New Zealand recommended retail prices; the original Nuance Audio range is NZ$1,320.

Where can I buy Nuance Audio Plus glasses in NZ?

Nuance Audio Plus is sold in New Zealand through authorised optical and hearing-care practices. Rose Optometry in Frankton, Hamilton stocks the full Plus range — Panthos 48 in Burgundy included — and ships nationwide. You can order online here or book a fitting to try the frames on and hear them working in a real room.

How long does the battery last on Nuance Audio Plus?

EssilorLuxottica quotes approximately 10 hours under average conditions — enough for a working day or a long dinner out. Charging is via the supplied charger; we will show you how to top up at your fitting.

Can I take phone calls on Nuance Audio Plus?

Yes. Plus connects to your phone over Bluetooth and you can answer and manage calls on the frame itself, with the beamforming microphones picking up your voice. The original Nuance Audio did not offer hands-free calling.

Can you wear glasses with hearing aids?

You can, but conventional behind-the-ear hearing aids compete with spectacle arms for the same space behind the ear, which is why many glasses-wearers find them uncomfortable or find the aids fall off. Nuance Audio Plus solves that by putting the hearing technology inside the spectacle temples — one thing on your ears instead of two.

Do Nuance Audio Plus glasses need an audiologist?

No prescription for the hearing side is required — they are designed for self-adjusted, mild-to-moderate hearing support. The frame does need to be fitted properly, because microphone performance depends on position, which is why we fit and adjust them in person at Rose Optometry. If you want a formal hearing assessment first, we can refer you locally in Hamilton.

Is there an app for Nuance Audio Plus?

Yes — the Nuance Audio app on iOS and Android. It lets you switch between Frontal and All-Around modes, pick one of four amplification presets, set background-noise reduction across three levels, adjust volume on a 1–5 scale and check battery. The Plus frames also add a physical power switch and volume buttons so the basics work without your phone.

See the full Nuance Audio hearing glasses range →

Supplier reference 0AW5007 03 (standard) / 05 (Transitions). Nuance Audio and Transitions are trademarks of their respective owners.