Our Dry Eye Services
Discover the world of dry eye care at our independent optical practices nestled on the beautiful Kent coat, serving Dover, Deal and surrounding communities. From meticulous diagnosis to personalised treatment plans and ongoing maintenance, we are dedicated to your eye health journey.
Trust in our research-based approach to dry eye care. With over 40 years of experience in the optical industry, we are here to guide you every step of the way. Your eyes deserve the best care, and that's what we deliver.
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Diagnosis and treatment plan
Dry Eye disease is multifactorial, so we take a detailed approach to diagnosis and treatment plan by thorough assessment of the front surface of your eye with measurements which help clarify the cause of your discomfort.
Heat and massage mask
For those with evaporative dry eye symptoms, this treatment targets the cause of the dry eye to offer immediate relief as we re-stabilise the tear film using an electronic heat mask which provides a consistent source of heat for 15 minutes, followed by expression of the meibomian glands by gentle massage. As a dry eye customer, this can be accessed as often as you need it.
IRPL intense regulated pulse light therapy
A more intense yet painless treatment which is the only treatment option to provide longevity of relief. An initial course of therapy comprising of four treatment sessions is provided over a 75 day period. Subsequent 6 monthly visits will then monitor the progress of the treatment, and additional single dose top ups provided when necessary.
Discover the path to clear, comfortable vision
Would you like to understand more?
A feeling of grain of sand, signs of fatigue, redness: every fifth Briton today suffers from dry eyes.
Behind dry eyes there is almost always a malfunction of the meibomian glands, which are located behind the row of lashes on the upper and lower eyelids. They produce a fatty secretion that forms the tear film of the eye with a highly watery tear fluid.
The fatty layer prevents the tear fluid from evaporating too quickly or simply running out of the eye over the edge of the eyelid. If the meibomian glands become clogged, this important fat content is reduced or even completely absent.
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
When the meibomian glands are not working properly, and the fatty layer is depleted the eyes become drier and watery. In addition, there is a lack of oxygen on the cornea, which is compensated for by an expansion of the vessels. The result: red eyes.
Tear substitutes in the form of drops, gels or ointments bring short-term relief.
However, almost all treatment options for dry eyes target the symptoms and do not change the actual cause, namely the dysfunction of the meibomian glands.
What is IRPL?
Intense Regulated Pulse Light Therapy works with pulsed light technology that emits ultra-short light sequences at various points below and to the side of the eye. This stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, the part of the autonomic nervous system that controls various body functions. The activity of the sluggish meibomian glands is stimulated again via certain messenger substances. They release more lipid-containing secretions, which stabilises the tear film and thus counteracts dry eyes. At the same time, the gentle light therapy can alleviate the symptoms of eyelid inflammation (blepharitis) such as redness, swelling and crust formation. The treatment is completely painless, patients only feel a slight sensation of warmth.