Dry Eye Clinic

Do you suffer from sore, gritty, watery eyes? Do certain activities, like reading or working on the computer make your eyes feel irritated or scratchy? If so, you may well have a condition called Dry Eye Syndrome - better known as “dry eyes”.  It's a common problem, but one you don't have to live with. The good news is that once it has been properly investigated and treated, most people find effective relief.

Eric Mercer is an accredited Dry Eye Specialist with a wealth of experience dealing with dry eye and other associated conditions. At the Dry Eye Clinic, Eric will carefully consider your symptoms before undertaking a detailed series of tests to assess the quantity and quality of your tears. He will then recommend the latest treatments to alleviate those symptoms and ensure that you leave knowing exactly how to treat your condition with an individually tailored care plan. Follow-up appointments will be arranged to monitor your progress and fine tune your treatment over a period of up to 3 months. 

So, if you think you have dry eyes, don’t suffer in silence. Book an appointment now at our Dry Eye Clinic for specialist examination and expert advice. 

Causes of dry eyes

Dry eyes are a common complaint, often associated with ageing. The problem occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or when you have poor quality tears that evaporate too quickly. Dryness can be aggravated by a number of different factors:
  • Environmental factors:  For example, hot, dry or windy conditions outdoors or an air-conditioned or centrally-heated atmosphere indoors.
  • "Staring" activities: These include reading, watching television and looking at a computer screen or tablet. A decreased rate of blinking tends to destabilise your tear film.
  • Health conditions: Dry eye syndrome is strongly associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Other conditions include eczema and rosacea.
  • Medications: Some medications have side-effects making your eyes feel drier. For example, anti-histamines, diuretics, beta-blockers and anti-depressants.
  • Meibomian gland Dysfunction (MGD): The meibomian glands are sited near the inner edges of your eyelids. They produce oils that protect the surface of your tears, preventing them from evaporating too quickly. However, with MGD, the oils become thick and sticky, clogging up the meibomian glands and compromising the quality and stability of your tears.

Dry eye signs & symptoms

With dry eyes, you may experience some or all of the signs and symptoms below.
  • Discomfort: When your eyes are dry, they tend to feel irritated and uncomfortable. Dry eye patients often tell me their eyes feel "itchy" or "gritty". Others experience a "burning" or "stinging" sensation.
  • Watering: At times, having dry eyes can make your eyes water unexpectedly. However, this is not a normal, healthy production of tears, but a reflex tearing caused by the irritation of the underlying dryness. 
  • Redness: Dryness can make the eyes appear red and bloodshot.
  • Increased sensitivity to light: This can cause problems in bright sunshine or with oncoming headlights when driving at night.
  • "Sticky" eyes: If your eyes dry out during a night's sleep, you may find that the eyelids stick to the front of your eyes when you wake. This makes it difficult - and sometimes painful - to open your eyes in the morning. 
  • Blurring: This tends to come and go, and is usually associated with "staring" activities like reading  and watching TV. 
In a small number of extreme cases, dry eyes can cause damage to your vision. This occurs if the cornea at the front of your eye becomes infected and ulcerated, leading to scarring.

Dry eye treatments

It is very important to realize that dry eye syndrome is a chronic condition, which can never be completely cured. However, with the right ongoing treatment, its irritating symptoms can be successfully controlled. 
  • Artificial tear drops: These help keep your eyes lubricated and moist.  There have been considerable advances in artificial tears over recent years, with modern drops offering more effective, longer-lasting relief. 
  • Lubricating gels or ointments: When applied to your eyes at bedtime these help sooth and protect them from drying out through the night. 
  • MGD treatments: If MGD is a contributing factor, treating it will help ease your dry eye symptoms. Usually, this involves applying warmth to your eyelids to help melt hardened oils and unblock the meibomian glands. Modern methods include special microwaveable eye masks.
  • Self-help techniques: These include drinking plenty of water, using a humidifier to increase the amount of moisture in the air, eating oily fish or taking Omega-3 supplements.