Dry Eye and Red Eye Clinic
What is Dry Eye Syndrome?
Dry Eye Syndrome or Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (also known as Ocular surface disease), is a common eye disease that occurs when the eyes fail to produce enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly, leading to a lack of lubrication in the eyes. Interestingly, most individuals are affected by this condition to some degree, with up to 70% of older people being affected. Many people also exhibit dry eye signs during examinations, which require prevention-focused treatment rather than a cure.
Dry eyes present a range of symptoms, including dryness, redness, irritation, fatigue, stinging, itching, sandy-gritty irritation, crustiness, and teary eyes. Although most individuals experience only mild irritation, severe or untreated conditions may lead to complications such as corneal damage, impaired vision, and even vision loss in rare cases. It is best to manage dry eye in its early stages, irrespective of whether symptoms are present, to prevent further complications.
At our esteemed optometric practice, we offer specialised treatments for individuals with dry eyes. Our expert optometrists provide personalized care to each patient, beginning with a thorough examination of symptoms and the underlying cause. With our cutting-edge technologies and advanced treatment options, we strive to offer effective and long-lasting relief from the discomfort of dry eyes. So, if you’re experiencing dry eye symptoms, schedule a consultation with us today!
Services
Advanced Eye Tests
Our advanced eye tests go beyond the standard vision check-up, utilising state-of-the-art technology to assess the health of your eyes thoroughly.
Childrens Eye Tests
Our dedicated team is experienced in providing high-quality eye care services for kids of all ages.
Dry Eye & Red Eye
If you’re experiencing symptoms such as redness, discharge, or discomfort in your eyes, our expert team can help.
Express Glazing
Need your glasses urgently? Our same-day glasses service is perfect for those who require fast turnaround times without compromising on quality.
Dry Eye Treatment
To alleviate dry eye symptoms, treatment options vary based on the root cause, ranging from using artificial tears to ointments, to wearing wrap around glasses to decrease tear evaporation. As a team of accomplished optometrists, we at Safarian & Simon Opticians provide advanced medical treatment options, including steroid eye drops, lacrimal plugs to prevent tear drainage, and modification or cessation of certain medications, if feasible.
However, traditional treatments often fail to deliver long-term relief, and symptoms tend to return shortly after discontinuing them. That’s where our cutting-edge solution comes in – introducing the Optima IPL therapy, a drug-free and drop-free natural light-based treatment that targets chronic inflammation, the root cause of dry eyes. This next-generation treatment pathway, which has been safely used for years abroad, offers ongoing relief from dry eyes, freeing patients from the need for routine and frequent use of eye drops.
Our Dry eye Treatment goes beyond IPL, we also offer a vast range of eye lid cleaning with ZEST or Blephex, Low light level therapy (LLLT), Amniotic membrane contact lenses, Meibomian gland probing, Meibomian gland expressions and puntal plugs. Many clinic offer only one of the above at most and we are best placed to prevent dry eye pre and post eye surgery. If unsure of which treatment is best for you, book a Dry eye assessment now.
So, if you’re seeking a treatment that provides longer-lasting relief from dry eyes, look no further than Safarian & Simon Opticians!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the causes of dry eyes?
Why should I use Safarian & Simon Opticians for dry eye treatment
We are passionate about offering the best possible individual eye health care and personalised advice while ensuring that any sight-loss could be prevented. We are one of the few optician practices that offer the Optima IPL treatment and the only in London who can write a prescription if need be.
IPL is only one of the treatments we have, as Dry eye is a multi-factorial condition, we aim to target it from many angles. Gland probing is a highly skilled treatment which we can offer amongst the others. Even if you are not suitable for IPL, we can undertake other treatments.
Other ‘Dry eye clinics’ only offer guidance on diet changes, over-the-counter drops, and a hot compress (you can find these on google!) They do not offer actual treatment or diagnostic methods.
We have a highly qualified and experienced team led by Mr Sachin Patel and Ms Anila Mistry who are early adopters of new technology. We do not delegate the dry eye treatments to other staff like most ‘Dry eye clinics’.
What conditions is IPL effective in treating?
- Dry Eye Disease
- Chalazion and Stys
- Heavy, Tired, Itchy, Red Eyes
- Rosacea (red nose, cheeks, chin after certain exposure)
- Telangiectasia (spider veins on the surface of the skin)
- Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)
- Eyelid Inflammation
- Blepharitis, including Demodex
- An additional benefit of tightening the skin around the eyes and may reduce wrinkles!
- Eye wellness
What is Meibomian Gland Probing
This is a very effective treatment for blocked glands. When IPL or warm compresses are not enough, then gland probing is appropriate. The glands can be scarred and not enough oils are being produced. It is safe treatment with the right protocols. The relief may take a few days to weeks, it is better to combine with IPL and LLLT to maximise results.
The results are not just for typical dry eye symptoms, many have reported a feeling of heavy eyes and frontal headaches being improved. Read her for more Gland probing.
Why clean my eyelids with blephex or zest?
Many patients are told to clean their eyelids with commercial products or baby shampoo-which can work, but like going to your dentist nothing better a professional clean. We have adopted the BlephEx and Zest cleaning regime. Both allow us to remove biofilm from your eyelids to help restore your tear film. It is always better to combine with the other treatments.
What is Gland expression
This is the process of pushing or squeezing the oil glands (like a spot) to express the oil out. We always do this after any treatment using a special tool rather than a Q-tip! This is completely different to Gland probing and many dry eye clinic will express cold glands which may damage them, we undertake the expression following light treatment or very gently after ZEST clean.
What is LLLT?
LLLT is low light level therapy. We use an approved red light mask over the closed eyes. It creates a photobiomodulation effect to recharge mitochondria to help inflammation. We use for dry eye and also address conditions such as Blepharitis, Chalazion, Post-Blepharoplasty, Rosacea, and Demodex. Treatments for these pathologies with our technologies act directly on the affected layers, and are CE certified (MDR) for use on the eye-light® device. There is good effect for Sjögren’s Syndrome, Stye, as well as proven efficacy in pre- and post- Cataract & Refractive Surgery treatment are also addressed.
What treatment should I book?
We recommend starting off with a Dry eye assessment to assess your current symptoms, then we can formulate an action plan:
1. Home Regime
2. Medical intervention
3. Professional treatment
Majority of our patients often arrive to us at stage 3, this is where we really excel. So you book direct into treatment alongside the assessment. Please ensure you have had an eye examination in the past 12 months or we can book one with us.
We give our patient the options as above and will combine them at time, it is critical to know Dry eye is chronic and multi-factorial. Our job is to improve your quality of life and not make you think about your eyes! Our treatment have little downtime or none and are available 6 days a week.
The fees will vary on treatment plans and are very competitive for our equipment, experience and range of equipment and , enquire now for more information.