Mon - Sat 9:15am - 5.30pm
020 8546 2481
39 Fife Road, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 1SFDry Eyes
Dry eye disease is a common eye condition, caused by a problem with the tears. It occurs when your tears aren’t able to provide adequate lubrication for your eyes.
Symptoms - What Causes Dry Eyes?
Dry eye disease may develop if you don’t produce enough tears, or if your tears aren’t the right quality and evaporate too quickly between blinks.
Many people suffer from dry eye disease without being aware that they may have a problem. Most however have symptoms and there are many words that people use to describe the way that their eyes feel when they are dry. This includes…
- Tired eyes
- Gritty eyes
- Eyestrain
- Burning
- Stinging
- Irritation
- Watery eyes
- Blurry vision that comes and goes
- Sore Eyes and Headache
Dry eye disease is often associated with changes to the tear film, the front surface of the eye, and the eye lids.
Assessing Dry Eye
To check for dry eye, the team at Horrocks & Boyd uses specialist equipment to accurately measure tear volume, quality and osmolality (concentration) as well as examining the meibomian tear glands as part of a thorough assessment of the front of the eyes. In addition, a brief patient questionnaire is used to gather useful information and score the severity of symptoms.
At the completion of a dry eye assessment, our specialist optometrist will be able to discuss the severity of the problem, and the possible underlying reasons for dry eye.
Recognising that the needs of each individual are unique, Horrocks & Boyd provide a bespoke management plan for anyone suffering with dry eye disease. Regular follow-up appointments are an essential part of every management plan.
Treatment - How Do You Fix Dry Eyes?
Horrocks & Boyd is able to offer a range of treatment options for dry eye disease.
When to see an optometrist?
Our optometrists will be glad to discuss treatment options when deciding on an appropriate management plan. Treatments options include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Eye drops specific for your type of dry eye
- Eye lid cleaning at home
- Heat therapy – at home or in the practice
- Intense eye lid cleaning (carried out by the optometrist in the practice)
- Tear drainage management
- Tear gland expression
- Intense Pulse Light therapy
We often recommend a number of these treatments in combination. More information about each of these treatment options is available in the practice.
Our most advanced treatment option uses Intense Pulse Light Therapy followed by tear gland expression. This is a new innovative treatment that gets to the root cause of dry eyes and offers a more long-lasting solution. The treatment is painless and involves the delivery of a series of light pulses that stimulate the Meibomian tear glands, which in turn reduces tear evaporation and dry eye symptoms.
Our professional team is only too happy to take questions and offer advice.
Why Choose Horrocks & Boyd?
Comprehensive Eye Examinations
Through longer appointment times, highly qualified optometrists and technology that allows us to examine more of the eye than a standard eye test, your most precious sense is at the heart of everything we do.
Bespoke Products
Our customers deserve the best. Sometimes, this means creating something unique. Horrocks & Boyd is proud to offer bespoke spectacle frames and personalised lenses, made to order and tailored for the specific needs of each individual.
Personal Service
We understand that every person has different requirements, and we take great satisfaction from providing our customers with tailored solutions. Horrocks & Boyd is proud to be an independent practice, offering truly impartial advice.
Testimonials
I was so impressed with your practice. I had an ocular emergency, and not only did you give me the correct advice, but you phoned a week later to see how I was getting on.
Bill Price
We've been with Horrocks and Boyd as a family for 24 years and thoroughly recommend them. Their service and attention to detail is second to none. We all travel some distance now to remain with them but wouldn't have it any other way.
Liz Cooke
I’ve been a patient since moving to Kingston, it is always a pleasure to come to your opticians, the staff are always so pleasant and helpful.