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 Square 53 — 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.

Released in September 2026, Nuance Audio Plus takes the idea behind the original Nuance Audio — hearing support inside an ordinary-looking spectacle frame — and fixes the things owners asked for: longer battery, better speech-in-noise, phone calls on the frame and buttons you can feel.

Square 53 in Burgundy

Of the three Plus shapes, the Square 53 is the one that most people already picture when they search for glasses with hearing aids built in: a normal, slightly squared spectacle frame with nothing about it that says 'device'. The 53mm eye and 128.6mm hinge-to-hinge width put it at the broader end of the range.

Burgundy is for people who want a frame with some character without it shouting: a deep wine red that reads almost black indoors and warms up in daylight.

Fit and sizing — Square 53

Lens 53mm · bridge 19mm · temple 145mm · lens height 40.6mm · hinge-to-hinge 128.6mm
Frame size S (wide fit), universal bridge; rectangular shape, unisex
Best on average-to-broad faces with a medium-to-high nose bridge. If it looks wide on you, or you have a low bridge, the Panthos 48 with its adjustable nosepads is the better fit; if you want a more lifted, feminine line, look at the Upturn 52.

Lens options for the Burgundy Square 53

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

Open-ear speakers hidden in the temples — nothing in the ear canal
Beamforming directional microphones with three levels of background-noise reduction
Frontal and All-Around listening modes, four amplification presets, volume 1–5 in the Nuance Audio app (iOS and Android)
Answer and manage phone calls on the frame
Around 10 hours of use per charge under typical conditions

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

Hearing glasses are only as good as their fit. Rose Optometry's optometrist team fits every pair in Frankton, Hamilton, sets the frame height that the microphones need, fits your prescription and pairs the app before you leave — or walks you through it by phone if you order online. One appointment covers your eyes and your hearing.

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 Square 53 Burgundy — frequently asked questions

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 — Square 53 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 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 Square 53 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.

Who makes Nuance Audio?

Nuance Audio is made by EssilorLuxottica, the French-Italian group behind Essilor and Transitions lenses and the Ray-Ban, Oakley and Oliver Peoples frame brands. Rose Optometry is an EssilorLuxottica stockist in Hamilton, New Zealand.

Which Nuance Audio Plus frame is best for my face?

Square 53 (53-19-145) suits average-to-broad faces and gives the most lens depth for progressives. Upturn 52 (52-18-140) is a soft cat-eye for narrow-to-average faces and smaller heads. Panthos 48 (48-22-145) is a round panto with adjustable nosepads for narrow faces and low bridges. This page is the Square 53 in Burgundy; the other shapes are in the Nuance Audio collection.

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.

See the full Nuance Audio hearing glasses range →

Supplier reference 0AW5005 03 (standard) / 05 (Transitions). Nuance Audio and Transitions are trademarks of their respective owners.