Dry Eye Syndrome (DES)
Dry Eye Syndrome (DES) is a complex condition and multifactorial. In a large proportion of cases, the condition has got a primary cause and treating or managing the primary cause can alleviate and sometimes can get rid of the problem. DES is now thought to have a strong inflammatory cause and at Edgbaston Eye Clinic, we would routinely send patients for blood test with instruction for specific tests. We are in a lucky position that we can get the result on the same day or the next day.
The symptoms can vary from watery eye to more severe eye pain and hazy vision. A successful dry eye management doesn’t always involve ‘bombarding’ patients with artificial tears and sometimes excessive use of these artificial tears and gel can worsen the condition. Scrubbing the eyelid may also not be the answer if the cause of the dry eye syndrome is not blepharitis, for example.
Some medications such as antidepressants can cause dry eye syndrome or make it worse, and various systemic conditions such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and other autoimmune conditions can also lead to dry eye syndrome.
Click here to download the Dry Eye Syndrome leaflet
What is Dry Eye?
Dry eye is particularly common in people over the age of 40 and tends to affect women more often than men. Symptoms can include gritty or irritated eyes, burning, itching, fluctuating or blurred vision, eyes sticking together at night and, surprisingly, watery eyes.
Dry eye disease is usually caused by a problem with the natural tear film. Each time you blink, a thin protective layer of tears spreads across the front surface of the eye. This tear film helps keep the eye comfortable and healthy, supports clear vision and provides an important defence against infection.
When the tear film is unstable or poorly balanced, the tears may not remain on the eye for long enough. They can evaporate too quickly, fail to spread properly, or be produced in insufficient quantity. This can lead to inflammation, irritation and the typical symptoms of dry eye.
Dry eye is commonly associated with eyelid conditions such as blepharitis and meibomian gland dysfunction, where the oil-producing glands in the eyelids become blocked or do not function properly. These conditions can make the tears evaporate more quickly and significantly worsen dry eye symptoms.
Several factors can contribute to dry eye, including age, hormonal changes, screen use, reading, contact lens wear, previous laser eye surgery, occupation, air conditioning, heating, wind and dry weather. Dry eye can also be associated with systemic medical conditions such as arthritis, thyroid disease, lupus and Sjögren’s syndrome, as well as certain medications.
The good news is that you do not have to simply live with dry, irritated or watery eyes. At Edgbaston Dry Eye Clinic, Mr Don Williams provides a detailed assessment to identify the underlying cause of your symptoms and recommend a tailored treatment plan to help restore comfort and protect the long-term health of your eyes.
Why Treat Dry Eye?
Dry eye disease is worth treating, even if your symptoms feel mild or manageable. When the surface of the eye becomes persistently dry or inflamed, it can become more vulnerable to problems such as recurrent cysts, styes, blepharitis flare-ups and conjunctivitis.
If left untreated, more severe or long-standing dry eye can occasionally lead to damage to the cornea, including ulceration, inflammation and scarring. For this reason, it is always better to investigate and treat dry eye early, before it becomes more difficult to manage.
The tear film is a highly complex structure, and effective dry eye treatment depends on identifying the underlying cause. At Edgbaston Eye Clinic, our Dry Eye Clinic in Birmingham provides a detailed assessment of the tear film, eyelids, meibomian glands and ocular surface. This allows treatment to be targeted properly, rather than relying on a trial-and-error approach with lubricating drops that may not address the real cause of your symptoms.
How We Assess Dry Eye
At Edgbaston Eye Clinic, our dry eye specialist, Mr Don Williams, provides a detailed dry eye assessment to identify both the presence and the underlying cause of your symptoms. Using specialist diagnostic tests, Don will carefully examine the tear film, eyelids, meibomian glands and ocular surface before recommending the most appropriate dry eye treatment for you.
This personalised approach is particularly helpful for patients who have already tried GP-prescribed eye drops, lubricating drops or over-the-counter dry eye treatments with limited improvement. Rather than simply treating the symptoms, the aim is to understand why your eyes are dry and to create a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
When you book into our Dry Eye Clinic in Birmingham, Don Williams will carry out a thorough examination and develop a bespoke dry eye treatment plan. Your progress will be carefully monitored, with follow-up appointments arranged where needed to ensure your treatment remains effective and appropriate over time.
Associated Conditions
Dry eye can also be associated with a range of systemic health conditions. These include autoimmune conditions such as Sjögren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, as well as thyroid eye disease, diabetes, rosacea and hormonal changes, particularly around the menopause. Certain medications, including antihistamines, antidepressants, blood pressure tablets and some acne treatments, may also contribute to dry eye symptoms.
Mr Don Williams, the lead eye specialist at Edgbaston Eye clinic, 38 Harborne Road, Edgbaston, B15 3HE, Birmigham will carefully assess not only the surface of the eye and eyelids, but also consider whether your dry eye may be linked to an underlying medical condition or medication. This helps ensure that treatment is tailored to the cause of your symptoms, rather than simply treating the dryness
For more severe dry eye cases, we can fit punctum plugs, which offer a more permanent solution to dry eyes, considerably reducing or eliminating the need for lubricating drops. Don will examine your eyes to see if you are suitable for punctum plugs. At Edgbaston Eye Clinic, the cost for dry eye assessment is £120.