Dry Eye Assessment and Treatment in Canterbury
Dry eye is a common condition that can affect the comfort, stability and clarity of your vision. Because dry eye can have many different causes, finding the right treatment starts with understanding what is contributing to your symptoms.
At Canterbury Eyecare, we assess the underlying causes of dry eye and develop a personalised treatment plan – from simple lifestyle and eyelid care through to in-practice treatments such as IPL.
What does Dry Eye Disease feel like?
Dry eye doesn’t always feel like simply having “dry” eyes. Symptoms can vary considerably from person to person and may include:
- Dryness, burning, stinging or irritation
- A gritty or sandy sensation
- Watery eyes
- Tired or strained eyes
- Fluctuating or blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light, wind or air conditioning
- Difficulty wearing contact lenses comfortably
- Eyes that feel uncomfortable upon waking
Some people can also have signs of dry eye without experiencing significant symptoms.
Healthy tears are more than just water. They form a protective film over the surface of your eyes, helping keep you eyes comfortable and providing a smooth, regular surface for clear vision.
Dry eye disease can occur when your eyes don’t produce enough tears, when tears evaporate too quickly, or when the tear film isn’t functioning normally.
Common contributing factors include:
- Increasing age and hormonal changes
- Prolonged screen use and reduced blinking
- Contact lens wear
- Certain medications, allergies and some systemic health conditions
- Previous eye surgery such as LASIK
- Skin conditions such as rosacea
Types of Dry Eye Disease
Types of dry eye disease are classified by if there are insufficient layers of the tear film, sometimes due to the oil layer or the watery layer, or a combination of both. Your optometrist can assess the different factors contributing to your dry eye and tailor treatment accordingly.
Meibomian glands are tiny oil-producing glands in your eyelids. They release oils that help prevent your tears from evaporating too quickly. When these glands become blocked or don’t function properly, the tear film can become unstable and dry eye symptoms may develop. This is known as Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) and is the most common type of dry eye disease. It is sometimes also known as evaporative dry eye. MGD commonly occurs alongside conditions such as blepharitis and ocular rosacea.
Aqueous-deficient dry eye is a less common condition which occurs when the eyes do not produce enough of the watery component of the tear film. It can be associated with certain medications and some systemic conditions that affect tear production.
Dry Eye Assessment & Infrared Imaging
During a dry eye assessment, our optometrists consider your symptoms, lifestyle, medications, general health and eye history, along with the condition of your tear film and eyelids.
We may assess factors including tear film stability, tear production, the eyelid margins and meibomian glands, the ocular surface and signs of inflammation or blepharitis.
We offer comprehensive dry eye assessments using our slit lamp microscope and the Medmont Meridia Pro topographer, which provides detailed information about the tear film and ocular surface, including infrared meibomian gland imaging to examine the structure and health of the glands within your eyelids.
This helps us identify the factors contributing to your dry eye and develop a treatment plan suited to your eyes.
Treatments
At-home care
- Lubricating or anti-inflammatory eye drops
- Heated eye masks
- Eyelid hygiene
- Blinking exercises
- Environmental changes
- Lifestyle and dietary advice
In practice clinical treatments
- Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
- Lacrimal Lavage
Lubricating products
Lubricating eye drops, gels or ointments hydrate the eye surface and are suitable for mild to moderate dry eye. They improve symptoms but are unable to treat the underlying causes in the long term. Different formulas are targeted to help different types of dry eye.
Anti-inflammatory Medications
Anti-inflammatory medications may be necessary in some cases, as inflammation is a significant factor of dry eye disease. Some anti-inflammatory medications may be available over the counter or with a prescription and may be steroidal or immunosuppressant in nature. It is important to follow directions for these treatments carefully as some may have adverse effects if used long term or incorrectly.
Eyelid Hygiene
Medicated lid wipes, foam or sprays improve eyelid hygiene and treat Blepharitis, a common associated finding in dry eye disease which can cause irritation and inflammation.
Eyelid hygiene treatments come in many options, those with Tea Tree Oil are for more severe cases.
Heated eye masks
Heated eye masks can help soften the oils within the meibomian glands, supporting gland function and improving tear film production and quality. Microwavable, instantly warming disposable or electronic heated eye masks can be used regularly at home as part of your dry eye management routine.
Dietary Advice
A balanced diet and adequate intake of essential fatty acids may form part of an overall approach to dry eye management. It is recommended to have 1000-2000mg of Omega 3 daily, especially a type high in EPA and DHA. Mediterranean diet, staying well hydrated, increasing B vitamin and antioxidant intake in diet may also improve dry eye disease.
If you’re considering supplements, we recommend discussing these with your GP or healthcare professional, particularly if you take medications or have other health conditions.
Blinking Exercises
Blinking exercises increase tear secretion. They involve completely closing the eyes without squeezing the eyelids together. Repeat this exercise a few times throughout the day.
Environmental Factors
To reduce the impact of environmental factors consider the following:
- Direct air conditioning or heating away from the eyes
- Take frequent breaks when reading, watching TV or screen based devices
- Wear an eye mask whilst sleeping
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Treatment
For patients with appropriate signs of meibomian gland dysfunction or eyelid inflammation, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) may be considered as part of their dry eye treatment plan.
IPL is treatment to the skin around the eyes which in turn stimulates the meibomian glands to produce better quality tears, reduces inflammation and bacterial load around the eyes and eyelashes. IPL is a minimally invasive treatment option, but it isn’t suitable for everyone. Your optometrist will assess your suitability before treatment.
IPL treatments at Canterbury Eyecare are performed by our trained team over a course of four treatments, with your suitability assessed before treatment begins. Your optometrist will discuss whether IPL is appropriate for your individual needs and how it fits into your overall dry eye management plan.
Lacrimal Lavage
Other Interventions
Return to see us at any time for a review and re-assessment of your dry eye symptoms and concerns.
We can refer and co-manage with our Ophthalmology colleagues or your GP for further interventions such as oral medications or to access specially compounded medications.
Dry Eye FAQs
What is dry eye?
Dry eye is a multifactorial condition, typically, it is when the eyes have an unstable or poor quality tear film which impacts the comfort and function of the surface of the eye. Symptoms can include dryness, burning, irritation, fluctuating vision, watery eyes or a gritty sensation.
There can be a number of different causes of dry eye, so understanding the underlying factors is an important part of treatment.
How is dry eye assessed?
A dry eye assessment looks at your symptoms as well as the health and function of your eyes and tear film. Depending on your presentation, this may include assessment of the tear film, eyelids and meibomian glands, as well as additional tests such as corneal topography.
At Canterbury Eyecare, our optometrists can develop a personalised management plan based on the findings of your assessment.
Does Canterbury Eyecare offer IPL for dry eye?
Yes. Canterbury Eyecare provides IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) treatment for appropriate patients with dry eye and conditions such as meibomian gland dysfunction and ocular surface inflammation. IPL requires 4-5 treatments spaced 7-15 days apart. IPL is one part of our broader approach to dry eye management, and your suitability for treatment will be assessed during your consultation.
Can dry eye cause watery eyes?
Yes. Excessive watering can occur when irritation from dry eye causes the eyes to produce reflex tears. These tears may not have the same composition or stability as the normal tear film.
Can dry eye cause blurry or fluctuating vision?
Yes. An unstable tear film can cause vision to fluctuate, particularly during prolonged reading, computer use or other visually demanding tasks.
Can dry eye affect contact lens wear?
Yes. Dry eye can make contact lenses less comfortable and may contribute to dryness, irritation or fluctuating vision. Your optometrist can assess whether your lenses, wearing schedule or tear film are contributing to your symptoms. Your optometrist can advise if an alternative contact lens option is more suitable for you.
What is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)?
MGD occurs when the meibomian glands in the eyelids don’t function normally. These glands produce oils that help prevent tears from evaporating too quickly. MGD is a common contributor to evaporative dry eye.
How long does it take for dry eye treatment to work?
This varies depending on the underlying cause and treatment. Some measures may provide relatively quick relief, while treatments aimed at improving meibomian gland function or reducing inflammation may take longer and require ongoing management.
