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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Ray-Ban

Ray-Ban Meta Audio Burbank Optical — Camera-Free AI Glasses NZ

$629.00 NZD

Sale Sold out

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Ray-Ban Meta Audio — Meta's camera-free AI glasses. Not yet in New Zealand: reserve yours with a refundable $100 deposit.

Not yet in New Zealand: every size and colour of the Burbank Optical. They show as sold out here and we don't have a confirmed arrival date. Reserve one with a refundable $100 deposit →

With a deposit, tell us the model, colour and size in the order notes. We'll contact you when your pair arrives, and your $100 comes off the price. You can ask for your deposit back at any time before your pair is ordered for you. Once prescription lenses have been made for you, the order can't be returned for a change of mind.

Ray-Ban Meta Burbank Optical — smart optical frames dispensed, glazed and fitted in-practice by the optometrists and dispensing opticians at Rose Optometry, Hamilton.

Iconic Ray-Ban. Quietly clever.

A squarer, slightly flatter take on the classic — it sits well on wider faces — with open-ear speakers and microphones built in, and no camera. Take a call, listen to music or ask Meta AI a question without reaching for your phone, and without anyone wondering whether you're recording.

What they do

No camera: camera-free by design, so they suit workplaces and venues where camera glasses aren't allowed
Open-ear speakers for music, podcasts and calls — nothing in your ears, so you stay aware of traffic and conversation
Microphones and Meta AI for hands-free questions, messages and calls
Up to 12 hours per charge, plus up to 48 more from the charging case, in a light 43 g frame
Built for Rx lenses — designed for optical mounting across most prescriptions

Supplied Rx-ready

These come with a clear demo lens and are made to be glazed to your prescription. Choose your size and frame colour above; we make them up in single vision, progressive, sun tint, blue-light filter or Transitions after measuring you in practice.

Prescription range

Most light-to-moderate short-sightedness, long-sightedness and astigmatism can be fitted. Because the frame houses the electronics, higher prescriptions, prisms and some specialty designs may fall outside the supported range — our optometrists check yours before you commit and will tell you plainly if it can't be made up.

What's included, and what costs extra

The price shown covers the frame as supplied, with its clear demo lens. Prescription lenses, and non-prescription treatments such as photochromic (light-reactive) lenses, tints, polarisation, mirror finishes and blue-light filters, are quoted separately and may carry an additional cost. We'll price your exact frame and lens combination before you commit.

Frame measurements

Measured by Ray-Ban (mm). Compare them with a pair you already wear. The size is usually printed inside the arm, e.g. 50□22 150. Lens height matters most if you want progressives, which need enough lens depth below the pupil (usually 14–18 mm).

Size	Lens height	Bridge	Temple	Lens diagonal	Hinge to hinge
Regular (51)	39.0 mm	19 mm	152 mm	55.0 mm	127.6 mm
Large (54)	41.0 mm	19 mm	157 mm	58.0 mm	133.6 mm

Not sure which size suits you? Send us a photo of your current glasses or book a quick fitting in Hamilton and we'll check it for you.

Why buy them from an optometrist

These aren't an ordinary pair of glasses, and they shouldn't be posted out like a phone case. The electronics sit in the temples, the weight sits differently on your face, and the optical centres still have to line up with your pupils — which matters more on a front-heavy frame.

Pupil distance and fitting height measured in person, not typed into a box
App set-up done with you before you leave
Genuine NZ stock with local support — not a grey-market import without warranty
Optometrist-owned, Hamilton, since 1969

Ray-Ban Meta Audio or Gen 3?

Ray-Ban Meta Audio leaves out the camera, which gives it a longer battery (up to 12 hours, against 9 for Gen 3) and a lighter frame (43 g). If you want photos and video, the Gen 3 Wayfarer, Aviator and Zena are available now. Read about Ray-Ban Meta Audio →