So, what is Dry eye disease (DED)?

Dry Eye Disease is a multifactorial disease; Simply put, there are many different reasons for dry eye symptoms, so we can’t use a one size fits all approach.

DED occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears (Aqueous deficient) or when your tears dry out too quickly (Evaporative Dry Eye). Some patients will have a combination of the two (Mixed).

What Causes Dry Eye Disease?

- Ageing over 60’s are the most common group to suffer

- Hot, dry or windy climates – causes evaporation of tears

- Inflammatory diseases – e.g. Rheumatoid arthritis affecting the joints is associated with higher risk of dry eyes.

- Side effects from medications – e.g. The oral contraceptive pill

- Blepharitis or lid margin disease

At Spybey’s Opticians we offer a comprehensive Dry Eye Assessment, using new and innovative technology to better understand the root causes of dry eye symptoms. This allows us to provide a tailored treatment plan and offer treatments based on your personal results.

Treatment options include artificial tears, warm compresses, lid cleansing, punctual plugs and Red Light Therapy (amongst others).

Our newest and most intense treatment for dry eye syndrome is known as IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) therapy. This works especially well when combined with Red Light therapy and patients are seeing fantastic results.