Ask an optometrist
Plain answers from Ally, a practising optometrist, to the questions people with gritty, tired eyes actually ask.
Got a question for Ally?
Send it in. The good ones become articles here. She can't look at your eyes over email, so anything about your own eyes goes to your optometrist.
Ask Ally a questionGritty, tired, sore eyes
Why eyes feel like sandpaper by the afternoon, and why drops only help for a while.
The Magic Number for Therapeutic Eye Warmth
Why is 40°C the magic number? Learn the science behind this optimal temperature and why consistent heat is vital for effectivel...
Read
The Real Reason Your Eyes Feel Gritty: Understanding MGD
MGD is the number one culprit behind chronic dry eye discomfort. Learn why digital eye strain thickens the oil in your glands a...
ReadLid hygiene, day to day
What to use near your eyes, what to stop using, and why the edge of the lid matters.
Stop Using That! Products Your Optometrist Wishes You Would Avoid
Many common household products can damage your eyes' natural defences. Find out why detergent-based soaps and inconsistent heat...
Read
HOCl Explained: Your White Blood Cells' Secret Weapon
Did you know your own body produces the core ingredient in our Mist? HOCl is your white blood cells' secret weapon, a powerful,...
Read
The Hidden Risk: Why Makeup Residue Needs Daily Cleansing
Even trace amounts of makeup residue can clog meibomian glands, leading to Blepharitis and irritation. Find out why HOCl cleans...
Read
Every answer here is Ally’s.
Ally co-founded Dermii and still sees patients every week. She writes about how eyes and lids work, in plain words, so you know what to ask when you are in the chair.
Ally, practising optometrist, Lens Avenue.
Before you ask
Can Ally tell me what's going on with my eyes?
Not over email, and nobody should. Anything about your own eyes needs someone to look at them. If your eyes are painful, your vision has changed, or redness won't settle, see your optometrist or eye care professional.
How do I send a question?
Use the Ask Ally button at the top. Ally reads them, and the ones that come up again and again become articles here, answered in general terms.
Where do I start if my eyes are gritty every day?
Read the first article under Gritty, tired, sore eyes, then have a look at the 30 Day Challenge. It's the routine Ally built, ninety seconds a day, with a group that starts every Monday.
Reading about it is the easy part.
A new group starts every Monday. Ninety seconds a day, with people on the same day as you, and money back if you finish and your eyes aren't calmer.