Dry Eye & Red Eye Assessments
Dry Eye/Red Eye Problems
Do your eyes ever feel gritty, sore and tired? Dry Eye syndrome is a common condition that affects many people – up to a third of over 65s are thought to suffer Dry Eye, but it can affect you at any age. Symptoms can include:
- gritty, sore, painful eyes
- itching or burning sensation in the eyes
- light sensitivity
- blurred vision
- red eyes
- watery eyes
Dry Eye usually affects both eyes and will often feels as though it is getting worse as the day goes on.
Cause of Dry Eye Syndrome
Dry Eye occurs when not enough or poor quality tears are being produced to keep your eyes lubricated. This commonly happens as part of the ageing process, which is why more people over 65 tend to suffer from it. Some medical conditions or medications can cause Dry Eye, and environmental conditions such as windy weather, central heating, air conditioning, and dust or smoke can make it worse.
Dry Eye is also linked to a condition called blepharitis, which causes your eyelids to become red, swollen and itchy. Both blepharitis and Dry Eye are connected with Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), where not enough oil is secreted into the tears, meaning they dry out too quickly.
Dry Eye Assessments
If you suffer with persistent Dry Eye or red eye, we offer an assessment to determine the severity of your symptoms so we can recommend the best treatment plan for you. Our expert optometrists use some of the latest diagnostic equipment to take a closer look at your tear function and eyes, and will also factor in your general health and lifestyle to accurately analyse how Dry Eye is affecting your eyes.
Treatments for dry eye
Most cases of Dry Eye can be relieved and managed with eye drops, ointments or gels that helps to lubricate the eye. However, in some cases, you may need an ongoing treatment plan or a specialist referral, which we will be able to provide if necessary.
If we do advise you to come back for further treatment, we will usually recommend that you join our eye care plan, available from just £10 per month, to benefit from unlimited Dry Eye assessments.