What Happens in Our Dry Eye Clinic?

Dry eye disease is a common but often underdiagnosed condition that can significantly affect comfort, vision, and quality of life. Symptoms such as irritation, grittiness, watering, fluctuating vision, or redness may appear mild at first but can become persistent if the underlying causes are not properly assessed and managed.

In our dry eye clinic, we take a structured, evidence-based approach to diagnosis and treatment. Rather than relying on symptoms alone, we use a comprehensive range of clinical tests to understand exactly what is happening on the surface of your eyes and tailor treatment accordingly.

A Comprehensive Dry Eye Assessment

Every dry eye assessment begins with a detailed discussion about your symptoms, lifestyle, screen use, environment, general health, and any medications you may be taking. This background information helps us interpret test results accurately and identify contributing factors.

From there, we carry out a series of in-practice diagnostic tests.

Tear Production and Inflammation Testing

Schirmer Test
The Schirmer test measures how much tear fluid your eyes produce. Small, sterile paper strips are placed gently under the lower eyelids to assess baseline tear production. This helps us identify aqueous-deficient dry eye, where the eyes do not produce enough tears.

InflammaDry®
InflammaDry is a rapid, in-clinic test that detects elevated levels of MMP-9, a marker of inflammation on the ocular surface. Inflammation plays a key role in many dry eye conditions, and identifying it early allows us to target treatment more effectively.

Detailed Eye Surface Examination

Slit Lamp Examination with Diagnostic Dyes
Using a slit lamp microscope, we examine the front of the eye in high detail. Diagnostic dyes such as fluorescein or lissamine green are used to highlight areas of dryness, surface damage, or tear film instability that are not visible to the naked eye.

Anterior Eye Examination
We carefully assess the cornea, conjunctiva, and tear film to look for signs of dryness, irritation, or structural changes. This examination provides critical insight into the severity and type of dry eye present.

Eyelid and Tear Film Evaluation

Eyelid Evaluation
The eyelids play a crucial role in tear film health. We assess lid margins, blink quality, and gland openings to identify conditions such as blepharitis or meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), one of the most common causes of dry eye.

Tear Break-Up Time (TBUT)
TBUT measures how stable your tear film is between blinks. A reduced break-up time indicates that tears are evaporating too quickly, often linked to poor oil layer function.

Meibography
Meibography allows us to image the meibomian glands within the eyelids. This advanced imaging shows gland structure and loss, helping us diagnose MGD accurately and monitor changes over time.

A Tailored Treatment Plan

Dry eye is not a one-size-fits-all condition. Once all test results are reviewed, we create a personalised treatment plan based on the type, severity, and underlying causes of your dry eye.

This may include:

• Targeted lubricants or prescription eye drops
  
  

• Lid hygiene and eyelid therapies
  
  

• Anti-inflammatory treatments
  
  

• Nutritional or lifestyle advice
  
  

• In-practice treatments where appropriate
  
  

• Ongoing review and monitoring
  
  

Ongoing Care and Support

Dry eye is often a chronic condition that benefits from regular review and adjustment of treatment. Our aim is not just to relieve symptoms temporarily, but to improve long-term eye comfort, stability, and vision.

If you are experiencing persistent dry eye symptoms or feel that standard eye drops are not providing enough relief, a dedicated dry eye assessment can make a significant difference.

£59 or Free if a Member of eyeplan Dry Eye