What is dry eye syndrome?

Dry eye syndrome occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly, leading to inflammation and irritation. This condition can affect daily activities such as reading, computer use, and driving.

What are the causes of dry eye?

A range of factors can contribute to dry eye syndrome, including:

• Age: Tear production tends to decrease with age.
• Environmental Factors: Exposure to wind, smoke, or dry climates can increase tear evaporation.
• Screen Time: Prolonged use of computers or smartphones can reduce blinking frequency, leading to dryness.
• Contact Lens Use: Wearing contact lenses can sometimes cause or exacerbate dry eye symptoms.
• Medications: Certain medications, such as antihistamines and antidepressants, can reduce tear production.
• Blepharitis: Inflammation of the eyelid margins can lead to irritation, redness, and blocked oil glands, contributing to dry eye symptoms.
  Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD): When the oil-producing glands in the eyelids become blocked or ineffective, the tear film evaporates too quickly, leading to dryness and discomfort.
  Menopause & Hormonal Changes: Fluctuations in hormones, especially a drop in estrogen, can reduce tear production and affect tear quality.
  Cancer Treatment: Chemotherapy and radiation can cause damage to tear-producing glands, leading to persistent dryness and irritation.
  Crohn’s Disease: This autoimmune condition can cause systemic inflammation, affecting the eyes and leading to dry eye symptoms.
  Rosacea (Ocular Rosacea): This skin condition can cause inflammation of the eyelids and meibomian glands, leading to irritation, redness, and dryness.
  Acne: Some acne treatments, particularly those that reduce oil production, can inadvertently dry out the eyes by affecting the meibomian glands.
  Skin Conditions: Conditions such as eczema and psoriasis can impact the delicate skin around the eyes, contributing to irritation and dryness.
  Makeup: Certain eye cosmetics, especially waterproof products, can block the meibomian glands and disrupt the tear film, leading to dry eye symptoms.
  False Lashes: Adhesives and lash extensions can cause irritation, allergic reactions, and even block the oil glands, leading to eye discomfort and dryness.

What are common symptoms of dry eye?

Individuals with dry eye may experience:

• A stinging, burning, or scratchy sensation in the eyes
• Sensitivity to light
• Redness of the eyes
• A feeling of having something in the eyes
• Difficulty wearing contact lenses
• Blurred vision or eye fatigue

What’s part of our dry eye assessment?

Our thorough dry eye assessment includes:

• Detailed Patient History: Understanding your symptoms, lifestyle, and medical background.
• Tear Film Evaluation: Assessing the quantity and quality of your tear production.
• Meibomian Gland Analysis: Examining the glands responsible for the oily layer of your tear film.
• Ocular Surface Examination: Identifying any inflammation or damage to the eye’s surface.

Our dry eye treatment options

Based on the assessment, we offer a variety of treatments:

1. Ocular Lubricants: We provide a selection of eye drops, gels, and sprays designed to supplement natural tear production and alleviate dryness.
2. Heated Eye Masks: Our range of heated eye compresses helps to unblock meibomian glands, improving tear quality and providing relief from dryness.
3. Eyelid Wipes and Cleansers: Maintaining eyelid hygiene is crucial. We offer biodegradable eyelid wipes and cleansing sprays to remove debris and reduce inflammation.
4. Nutritional Supplements: Proper nutrition supports eye health. Our eye health supplements are formulated with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to promote optimal eye function.
5. ZEST Treatment: The Zocular Eyelid System Treatment (ZEST) is an in-office procedure that uses a natural okra-based gel to cleanse the eyelids, removing debris and reducing inflammation associated with dry eye and blepharitis.
6. BlephEx: BlephEx is an in-practice deep eyelid exfoliation treatment that removes bacterial debris and scurf from the eyelash margins, effectively managing anterior blepharitis and associated dry eye symptoms.

Get in touch for a consultation

If you are experiencing symptoms of dry eye, we encourage you to contact us to schedule an initial consultation. Our team is dedicated to providing personalised care to improve your eye health and comfort.

To book an appointment or learn more about our dry eye treatments, please give us a call on 01302 349193 or get in touch with us here.