Ships NZ-wide from Rose Optometry, Hamilton. Everything you need for about three months. Subscribe & Save 10% and a fresh kit is sent every 3 months, or every 8 weeks if you prefer.

The starting routine our optometrists give patients whose lids are the problem — red, itchy, crusted or inflamed margins alongside the dryness. Treating the tear film without treating the lid margin is the most common reason a dry eye drop seems to stop working.

Who it's for

• Red, itchy or crusted eyelid margins, often worse on waking
• Gritty, burning eyes alongside sore lids
• Recurrent styes or lid lumps
• Anyone told they have blepharitis or meibomian gland dysfunction

What's in the kit

• OCuSOFT HypoChlor Hypochlorous Acid Eyelid Spray — once a day. Close both eyes, spray both lids, and leave it. No rinsing, no rubbing.
• 2 × Avizor Lacrifresh Ocu-Dry 0.30% 10ml — preservative-free hyaluronic acid, three times daily, every day. Two bottles so you don't run out before the three months are up.
• Optimel Antibacterial Manuka Honey Eye Drops — medical-grade manuka honey for an inflamed lid margin. Once a day only.

About the Optimel: it stings

Expect a sharp sting for a short while after each drop. That's normal. Optimel is manuka-honey based, and it is anti-inflammatory and anti-infective: it calms the inflamed lid margin and reduces the bacteria living there. The sting is part of how it works, not a sign that something is wrong.

Use it once a day only, ideally at night, and don't build up to more. Take contact lenses out before using it and leave them out afterwards. Almost everyone who isn't warned about the sting stops on day two, so stick with it.

What to expect, and when to book

Do all three steps, every day. You should see things begin to improve within two weeks.

If things haven't begun to improve after two weeks, the next step is a Dry Eye Evaluation. It's an in-depth, paid assessment with one of our optometrists; the fee is confirmed when you book. We measure your tear film, lids and oil glands rather than guess, so we can work out what's driving the problem and plan treatment.

A full eye examination comes first. The Dry Eye Evaluation is booked once you've had a full examination with us, or elsewhere, within the last six months. New to Rose Optometry, or no recent examination? Book a full examination and we'll line up the Dry Eye Evaluation as your next appointment. Examined within the last six months? Book the Dry Eye Evaluation (bring a copy of the record if it was done elsewhere), or call (07) 847 3195. The whole pathway is on our dry eye guide.

Stop using the kit and contact us promptly if your eyes become painful, your vision drops, or redness gets steadily worse.

Why buy from Rose Optometry

Independent, optometrist-owned New Zealand practice — in Hamilton since 1969. Free optometrist advice with every order, and free NZ shipping on orders over $100.