Dry Eye Treatment — Lasting Relief for a Long-Standing Patient

Thermal Dry Eye Therapy Brings Comfort After Years of AC-Related Irritation

KENIA EYE HOSPITAL
Dry Eye & Cataract Services | Ophthalmology | Mumbai

PATIENT PROFILE

FieldDetail
Age73 years
GenderFemale
OccupationSchool nurse, Podar ICSE School
CitySantacruz, Mumbai (long-standing patient since 2016)
Presenting ComplaintOngoing dryness and discomfort in both eyes, associated with prolonged air-conditioning exposure
DiagnosisBilateral Dry Eye Disease
Duration of IssueRecent-onset dryness attributed to sustained AC exposure at work
Previous TreatmentsLong-term patient at Kenia Eye Hospital; prior bilateral cataract surgery (2016) and bilateral glaucoma surgery (2026), both staged one week apart between eyes
Date of Procedure2026
OutcomeExcellent — significant relief after treatment

THE PROBLEM

Condition

The patient, a 73-year-old school nurse and long-standing resident of Santacruz, had been under the care of Kenia Eye Hospital, a trusted eye hospital in Mumbai, for several years, having previously undergone bilateral cataract surgery in 2016 and bilateral glaucoma surgery earlier in 2026. She subsequently developed dryness and discomfort in both eyes, which she attributed to prolonged exposure to air-conditioning in her work environment. Given her established history with the hospital, she returned for evaluation of this new complaint.

Emotional & Psychological Impact

As someone still actively working as a school nurse, the patient valued comfort and reliability in her day-to-day vision. Having already been through cataract and glaucoma surgery at the hospital, she came in with confidence in the team but understandably wanted quick, effective relief from the persistent dryness affecting her daily routine. She placed high value on the continuity of care and the reassurance of being treated by a familiar, trusted team.

CONSULTATION & TREATMENT PLAN

What Was Assessed During the Consultation?

Why This Approach Was Chosen

Given the dryness was linked to environmental exposure rather than a structural surgical complication, the clinical team led by Dr. Vaishal Kenia recommended a non-invasive thermal dry eye therapy. This approach was chosen to directly address the underlying tear film disruption without requiring surgery, fitting a patient who was otherwise stable following her recent glaucoma procedure and preferred a straightforward, comfortable course of treatment.

PROCEDURE DETAILS

Step-by-Step Overview

Procedure FactDetail
Treatment TypeNon-invasive thermal (heat-based) dry eye therapy
Number of SittingsTwo
AnaesthesiaNot required
DiscomfortNone reported; patient described the eyes as feeling “very, very good” after treatment
Hospital StayOutpatient; no admission required

POST-TREATMENT RESULTS

The patient completed two sittings of thermal dry eye therapy and reported that her eyes felt notably better once the course was finished. She expressed satisfaction with both the outcome and the overall care she received, consistent with her experience across her earlier cataract and glaucoma treatments at the hospital.

OUTCOMES AT A GLANCE

Outcome MetricResult
Symptom Relief✔ Significant improvement in dryness and eye comfort
Treatment Course✔ Completed as planned over two sittings
Patient Satisfaction✔ Very high — patient reported feeling very comfortable and well cared for
Complications✔ None
Continuity of Care✔ Managed by the same trusted team across cataract, glaucoma, and dry eye treatment

PATIENT FEEDBACK

“I was told that it is due to the AC which has caused this dry eye and dryness in my eyes. I had two sessions of this treatment, which is a heat treatment to the eyes. My eye felt very, very good after it was over, and I am very satisfied with the care and with all that is done to me. I would recommend anyone to come here and get treated for their eyes. It's really a beautiful place, I really liked it.”

POST-PROCEDURE CARE & RECOVERY

Instructions Given to Patient

Recovery Timeline

TimeframeWhat Patient Can Expect
After First SittingInitial relief in eye comfort; second sitting scheduled to complete the course
After Second SittingNoticeable improvement in dryness, with eyes feeling comfortable
OngoingRoutine follow-up to monitor symptoms and manage any future recurrence

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Dry eye disease occurs when the eyes do not produce enough tears or when tears evaporate too quickly, often due to environmental factors. Prolonged exposure to air-conditioning, as in this patient's case, is a common contributor, as it can accelerate tear evaporation and leave the eyes feeling dry and irritated.