Why does it happen?

Dry eyes are caused by an unstable tear film. The tears your eyes produce may be deficient in quantity or quality, or they simply evaporate too quickly. A normal tear film is around 3 microns thick and is made of three distinct layers; (1) the mucin layer, a sticky layer that helps the tear film bind to the cornea. Mucin is made in the conjunctival goblet cells, (2) the aqueous layer or the watery later. This is the bulk of the tear film and carry the nutrients, defence agents and gives clear vision. Aqueous is made and secreted by the lacrimal gland (3) the lipid or oily layer, essentially stops the tears from evaporating. It is produced in the meibomian glands in the eyelids.

What does a dry eye assesment involve & what does it cost?

Your appointment will last around 40 minutes with the Optometrist. We will take a detailed history and symptoms including a tear film questionnaire, we will then use our advance diagnostic 650+ digital slit lamp with infared technology to assess and take high resolution images of your Meibomian glands, each individual layer of your tear film, eyelid margins, conjunctival redness and use a staining agent to look in more detail at any ocular surface damage.

With this information we will generate a dry eye examination report which we will discuss with you and develop a personalised treatment plan that addresses your specific needs and concerns. We will then review your progress with any treatment at a further appointment 2-3 months later.

Who will be carrying out the assesment?

The assessment will be carried out by one of our dry eye accredited Optometrists; Mrs Simpson or Miss Bryan. Both have completed the Moorfields Eye Hospital Dry Eye Course.