At this year’s 100% Optical, The Body Doctor placed a spotlight on dry eye disease, highlighting both the growing scale of the condition and the importance of structured, ongoing management to OT.
Sam Wymer, co-founder at The Body Doctor, highlighted that dry eye has become a widespread issue. “It’s estimated now that one in three people suffer from dry eye. If we don’t manage this disease, it will get worse,” he explained.
“For some patients, it can be absolutely debilitating,” he added.
Wymer shared real cases that underlined the severity of untreated dry eye. He told OT: “We’ve seen patients who won’t leave their house because environmental triggers like wind aggravate their symptoms. They feel trapped. That’s why we take real pride in helping manage these patients – giving them confidence to get back out and seek the relief they need.”
During the show, The Body Doctor showcased its in-practice treatment, Zest, which Wymer said has received strong traction among clinicians.
“The reason Zest has been so successful is that it targets debridement. We’re taking control of the situation by addressing the root cause – removing the biofilm and debris that contribute to dry eye disease,” Wymer described.
Wymer drew comparisons to other healthcare routines when treating dry eye. “It’s a bit like going to the dentist. When there’s a build-up of plaque, you’re referred to the hygienist for a deep clean. That’s exactly what Zest is: it is a professional, in-depth clean of the eyelids,” he described.
Wymer told OT that patients may often not realise how uncomfortable their eyes have become until after treatment.
Discussing one patient case, Wymer shared the story of a patient who became emotional following treatment.
“She actually started crying… not from discomfort, but because she couldn’t believe the relief,” he said.
For The Body Doctor, in-practice dry eye treatments are only part of the solution, and consistent at-home care is required for long-term success.
Remaining with the dentistry analogy, Wymer said: “After seeing the hygienist, you wouldn’t stop brushing your teeth for six months. That’s what at-home maintenance is for dry eye: hot compresses, lid hygiene, and effective eye drops.”
For The Body Doctor, a structured pathway to dry eye management involves in-clinic intervention, daily maintenance and overnight support.
“We position it as treatment in clinic with Zest, maintain at home with a triple-action drop, and repair overnight. It’s about giving both clinicians and patients a complete, effective system to manage dry eye disease properly,” Wymer concluded.
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