When people think about dry eye, they usually think about tears. But the edges of the eyelids, where the lashes grow and the oil glands open, play an equally important role. At the American Academy of Optometry meeting in fall 2026, optometrist Jade Coats, OD, FAAO, spoke about how eyelid hygiene can change the dry eye conversation, and why it should start long before someone is older.
A two-way problem
Dr. Coats explained that eyelid disease can cause dry eye, and dry eye can worsen eyelid disease. Treating only one side often fails to get to the root of the problem. She noted that the latest international dry eye report, TFOS DEWS III, reinforced that dry eye has many contributing factors that may need to be addressed together.
Catching it earlier
According to Dr. Coats, more than 60% of patients still arrive for cataract surgery with blepharitis, an inflammation of the eyelid margins. Her goal is to find lid disease sooner and in younger people, to reduce inflammation on the eye surface before it becomes a bigger issue later in life.
Different advice for different people
- Teens need simple routines they will actually follow.
- Makeup users, women and men alike, may apply products near the lash line or waterline. Dr. Coats encourages eye care providers to discuss cosmetics without judgment.
- Contact lens wearers can be affected by cosmetics that end up in the tear film.
Simple lid-care habits I recommend
- Remove all eye makeup every night, and avoid lining the inner waterline.
- Replace mascara and liner regularly, and never share them.
- If your lids are crusty, red, or itchy, ask about warm compresses and lid cleansers designed for the eyes.
- Take symptoms such as burning or gritty eyes seriously at any age.
This was an expert interview rather than a new clinical trial, but the message is practical: healthy lids support healthy tears. For more plain-language reading on everyday eye comfort, see moorparklasik.com.
Source: AAOpt 2026: The role eyelid hygiene plays in dry eye prevention (Optometry Times, 10/02/2026). This article is an educational summary written by Khanna Vision Institute and is not a substitute for medical advice.