More than half of all adults may be living with dry eye syndrome. Yet the vast majority never mention it to a healthcare professional, silently accepting the discomfort as an inevitable side effect of screens, aging, or a busy lifestyle. The landmark NESTS study, conducted across the United States and Europe, has shed new light on just how widespread — and how underestimated — this condition really is.
A Silent Epidemic
Dry eye disease causes burning sensations, redness, a persistent gritty feeling, and visual fatigue. These aren't minor nuisances: they can disrupt work, make driving uncomfortable, and even compromise outcomes in surgical procedures like cataract removal or laser vision correction.
The NESTS study found that millions of people have been living with these symptoms for years without ever seeking care. Many simply assume that itchy, tired eyes at the end of the day are "normal." They are not — and effective treatments exist.
Why Dry Eye Goes Undiagnosed
Several factors contribute to this widespread under-diagnosis:
- Normalisation: symptoms are diffuse and rarely dramatic, often blamed on tiredness or screen time
- Lack of awareness: many people don't know that simple, effective treatments are available
- Gradual onset: unlike acute pain, dry eye creeps up slowly, without a clear alarm signal
Left untreated, dry eye disease can progress, damage the corneal surface, and sustain a cycle of local inflammation that worsens over time.
The Connection to Bodily Tension
As an osteopath, what interests me is that dry eye syndrome is not always a purely ophthalmological problem. The tear glands, ocular muscles, and surrounding cranial structures are closely connected to the autonomic nervous system — the very same system I work with during craniosacral osteopathy sessions.
Tensions in the skull bones, facial structures, or cervical spine can influence the nerve supply to the tear glands. This isn't a mystical claim — it's an anatomical reality. Several of my patients who came in for headaches or neck pain noticed an improvement in their eye discomfort following osteopathic treatment.
I am not a replacement for an ophthalmologist — quite the opposite. But within a holistic approach, osteopathy can be a valuable complement, especially when dry eye symptoms are accompanied by cranial or cervical tension, or chronic stress.
What You Can Do Right Now
If you regularly experience uncomfortable eye symptoms, here are some first steps:
- See an ophthalmologist: a straightforward assessment can confirm the diagnosis and gauge severity
- Reduce aggravating factors: excessive screen time, air conditioning, wearing contact lenses too long
- Stay well hydrated: dehydration directly affects tear production
- Take visual breaks: the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds) is simple and effective
- Consider an osteopathic assessment: if your symptoms come alongside neck tension or headaches, it may be worth exploring this dimension
Real Suffering That Deserves Attention
One of the most striking findings of the NESTS study is that dry eye disease significantly reduces quality of life — on a par with more "visible" chronic pain conditions. Sufferers sleep worse, concentrate less easily, and often experience emotional distress tied to constant visual discomfort.
This is a reminder of something I believe deeply: symptoms that affect your daily life deserve to be heard, not dismissed.
If you'd like to explore how osteopathy might complement your overall care, I welcome you to my practice in Tel Aviv. Together, we can identify the bodily tensions worth addressing — and help you find better balance.
