🌿 Why Are Dry Eyes So Common in Singapore, Vietnam and Indonesia?
If your eyes often feel dry, gritty, or tired, you’re not alone. Dry eye disease is becoming increasingly common across Singapore, Vietnam and Indonesia, affecting both young professionals and older adults alike.
But why do so many people in our region struggle with this problem — even though we live in warm, humid climates?
Let’s take a closer look at the unique environmental and lifestyle factors behind dry eyes in Southeast Asia — and what you can do about it.
🌬️ 1. Air-Conditioned Environments
In Singapore and Indonesia, most of us spend long hours in air-conditioned offices, malls, and cars. While it keeps us cool, air-conditioning also reduces humidity — causing our tears to evaporate faster.
Over time, this leads to dryness, irritation, and even blurred vision, especially for those who work on screens all day.
Dr Cheryl Lee’s Tip:
Try to blink more consciously when working indoors, and avoid having the air vent blow directly onto your face.
💻 2. High Screen Time and Digital Eye Strain
Smartphones, laptops, and tablets are a big part of everyday life. But focusing on screens for long periods reduces your blink rate by up to 60%, allowing tears to evaporate before your eyes can refresh themselves.
Solution:
Follow the 20-20-20 rule — every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for a few minutes — to give your eyes a quick rest.
🧴 3. Contact Lens Use
Many people in Singapore and Indonesia wear contact lenses daily. Unfortunately, contact lenses can absorb tears and disrupt the tear film, leading to irritation or a “foreign body” sensation.
If you wear lenses for long hours, consider switching to daily disposables or Ortho- K lenses.
The commonest reason patients stop wearign contact lenses is because of dry eyes.
🧬 4. Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)
A lesser-known but very common cause of dryness in this region is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction — a condition where the oil glands in your eyelids become blocked.
Without enough oil, your tears evaporate too quickly, leaving your eyes feeling uncomfortable even when they appear watery.
At The Eye Clinic by Dr Cheryl Lee, we use advanced imaging to assess the health of your tear glands and offer targeted treatments like warm compress therapy, Eyelight (intense pulsed light) therapy and Tixel to restore natural moisture balance.
☀️ 5. Outdoor Climate and Pollution
While tropical weather feels humid, the combination of heat, UV exposure, and pollution can irritate the delicate surface of the eyes.
For some people, spending long hours outdoors without proper protection can worsen inflammation and lead to chronic dryness.
Simple Protection Tips:
Wear UV-blocking sunglasses when outdoors.
Stay hydrated.
Use preservative-free artificial tears after outdoor activities.
👁️ How We Can Help
At The Eye Clinic by Dr Cheryl Lee, we believe every case of dry eye deserves a personalised approach.
Our clinic offers advanced diagnostic tools and treatment options that go beyond simple eye drops — helping patients from Singapore, Indonesia, and beyond achieve lasting comfort and clearer vision.
If your eyes often feel tired or irritated, you don’t have to live with it.
Remember that Lasik /Smile / cataract surgery makes dry eyes worse so have the dry eyes adequately treated before surgery.