What is Dry Eye?
Dry eyes occur when either, the eye does not produce enough tears (Aqueous Deficiency), or when the tears evaporate too quickly (Evaporative).
Aqueous Deficient dry eye is caused by a lack of tears produced by the lacrimal gland.
Evaporative Dry Eye is the most common and is caused by either poor quality tears or a blockage of the oil glands that line the margins of your eyelids.
However, no dry eye condition is the same as multiple factors can cause either or even a combination of both.
Why Book into the Dry Eye Clinic?
Our Tear Clinic allows us to diagnose the root causes of dry eye.
Dry, Gritty, and even watery eyes are all symptoms of dry eye conditions. Most people turn to eye drops which often just mask the issue. Our highly specialised Ocular Surface Anyalser allows us to fully assess the Eyelids, Tear film and Ocular surface and can help diagnose common issues such as Blepharitis or Meibominan Gland Dysfunction and allow personalised treatment plans to be drawn up.
The Ocular Surface Anlayser allows our highly trained clinicians to perform a full assessment of the ocular surface through a combination of tests for dry eye diagnosis:
Interferomerty:
Using high magnifcation imagery, we can assess the reflections at the bottom section of the eye and identify the quality of the oily layer present on the tear film.
Non Invasive Tear Break Up Time:
Specialised video recording assesses how quickly your tears are dissipating on your ocular surface. This dissipation leads to dry patches on the ocular surface.
Meibography:
Meiboscopy is the visualisation of the Meibomian (Oil) Glands using infra-red imagery of the eyelids. Using this technology we are able to demonstrate and quantify the level of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.
Treatments Options
Each individual patients treatment is unique to them.
Whilst there are only two definite categories of dry eye, it is very common to have a combination of both. As a result, the treatment plans we devise are highly personalised to reflect the unique combination of symptoms present to you.
Many of the treatments drawn up will be home management plans , however, we also offer two highly innovative treatments in practice:
E-Eye: an innovation whereby Intense Pulsed Light is used to stimulate nerve endings which the serve the meibomian glands improving the meibomian gland function. (click here for more information)
BlephEx: consists of a medical grade disposable micro-sponge soaked in a specialist gentle antibacterial lid which is spun precisely and carefully along the edge of your eyelids and lashes, removing scurf and debris and exfoliating your eyelids. (click here for more information)