Dry Eye Management

What is Dry Eye?

To have Dry Eye means that you may not be making enough tears, or that the tears produced are of a poor quality. The primary function of tears is to keep the surface of your eye moist and lubricated.

Any reduction in their quantity or quality, can leave the cornea exposed to air and drying occurs. Symptoms of drying can be a gritty burning sensation, profuse watering of the eyes and very often disturbances in vision.

Symptoms

The symptoms of dry eye syndrome may include:

Burning, stinging or itching
Gritty feeling
Irritation from wind or smoke
Blurred or smeary vision
Tired and/or red eyes
Excessive watering
Photophobia (sensitivity to light)
Contact lens discomfort

What are the causes of Dry Eye?

Dry eye can be caused by a wide variety of everyday factors, including:

Aging
Hormonal changes
General health problems
Certain types of medications
Blepharitis
Dry environment and pollution
Computer use
Contact lens wear
LASIK surgery

How is Dry Eye treated?

In some cases symptoms can be relieved by altering the external influences mentioned above. Simple changes in environmental factors can help – for example avoidance of dehydrating factors such as air conditioning or regular breaks away from work on computer screens. Protecting your eyes from other factors such as cold wind with spectacles or sunglasses may also help.   

Tears must be distributed efficiently, replaced or conserved in order to provide relief. As Dry Eye Syndrome is caused by an imbalance of tears on the eye's surface the most logical way to treat the problem is to artificially replace the tears and by doing so improve the quantity and quality. Sometimes excessive watering can be the result of Dry Eye, this is a reflex tearing of the glands trying to relieve dryness and evaporation of the tear film.   

The most common form of Dry Eye is the Evaporative form, which affects 9 out of 10 Dry Eye cases (86%). This form results from a shortage of oil on the surface of your tears caused by a blockage in the gland along the edge of your eye lids (Meibomian glands). This leaves the tear film exposed and allows it to evaporate faster than normal. This lack of oil production is often referred to as Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)

Using the latest digital microscopes and infrared imaging, we are able to examine the Meibomium glands that make up the lipid layer of the tear film. This technology allows us determine the severity of dry eye for each patient, and provide a tailored treatment plan to restore the natural production of lipids and tears.

Testimonials

I hadn't been to see an Optician in about 10 years. I went today and was pleasantly surprised. I was welcomed the moment I walked through the door. All the staff were very helpful and friendly. Mrs Hardcastle was brilliant and explained everything in detail. Nice to know I can still be a fighter pilot! Would recommend this Optometry to anyone.Thank you everyone.

Lorraine Pryce

I was diagnosed as having a corneal disease called kerataconus some five years ago. In that time I tried a number of different opticians who didn't seem to understand my condition, and I ended up with spectacles that simply didn't give me the vision I needed.

It wasn't until I got referred to Gareth Hardcastle by my consultant Ophthalmologist that I found someone who finally understood my eye condition.

Now some five years later, I am happily wearing specialist contact lenses which give me fantastic vision from morning to night.

Simon C

Having previously tried varifocals and not got on with them I was extremely reluctant to try them again, but was becoming increasingly frustrated at constantly swapping between different pairs of spectacles.

Perhaps somewhat naively, I thought all varifocals were the same.

It wasn't until I had an eye examination at Shrewsbury Optometry that I actually had it explained to me that there was a type of varifocal that could give me the extra reading and computer distance focus that I needed.

I was impressed with the digital lens measuring, and the bespoke lens service that I was provided with.

I now happily wear my varifocals for all my day to day office work, and gone are the days of swapping spectacles.

On our Lenses

Having been to several different opticians over the years I became disillusioned with the quality of service and care I received. I never seemed to see the same optician twice, and always felt like their main priority was to sell me a pair of glasses.

My first examination at Shrewsbury Optometry was like a breath of fresh air. I immediately felt like I was in the hands of a professional team, and the level of examination I received was far beyond anything I had received before.

In the ten years since that first examination I have always seen Jenny Hardcastle, and I never ceased to be amazed at the new equipment used during the examinations, which seems to get more sophisticated every year.

Mrs Catrina B

Our daughter Erin has Down's syndrome, and has a number of healthy issues including problems with her visual development.

I first came to hear about Shrewsbury Optometry though the hospital eye service, and was recommended to them, having had trouble finding spectaclesthat fit properly.

We saw Elizabeth who took her time to find the right frame for Erin with a specially adapted bridge that meant she no longer peered over the top of her glasses all the time.

We noticed an almost immediate difference in Erin's behaviour, and she began to take interest in objects around her, that we realised she simply wasn't seeing with standard spectacle frames.

We can't thank you enough for the time and care you took for our beautiful daughter.

On our Children's Glasses

I hate eye tests, but staff here made me feel so at ease from the moment I walked through the door. I left knowing I made the right choice for change. Thank you.

Carole Markham

I wouldn't go anywhere else for my optical appointments!

My sight is too important to not use the best!

The staff are all very supportive and will ALWAYS go the extra mile to ensure that you are totally happy with your prescription and frames. When there has been a problem, they rectify it as fast as they are able. I have never been disappointed with the service I have received!

Thank you!

Graham Farmer

Wonderful service from very nice people who genuinely care! Nothing like the high street chains at all! Attention to detail and customer care second to none. I can honestly say I have never had a better eye test! I can honestly say I have never had such wonderful help in choosing glasses and lenses! I will never go back to the high street multiples. I discovered today that the glasses I'd had from a now obsolete high street chain about three years ago were far too strong! I hardly wore them at all because they made me feel sick! Now I know why! If you need an eye test and new glasses go to these people! Danielle on the eye tests and Jess on the glasses choice and fitting - both of them are just wonderful in my opinion!

Jeremy Higgins