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×
  • Home
  • About
    • About Us
    • Our Team
  • Services
    • Eye Examination
    • PEARS – NHS FREE SERVICE
    • Contact Lenses
    • Children’s Eyecare
    • Home Visits
    • Dry Eye and Red Eye Assessments
    • Monthly Pay Plan
    • Ortho-K Lenses
    • Glasses
    • Corporate Eye Care
    • Colour and Dyslexia
  • Eye Health
    • Myopia
    • Hyperopia
    • Presbyopia
    • Glaucoma
    • Diabetes
    • Macular Degeneration
    • Cataracts
    • Retinitis Pigmentosa
    • Nystagmus
    • Retinal Detachment
    • Floaters and Flashing Lights
    • Dry Eyes & Dry Eye Syndrome
    • Blepharitis
    • Keratoconus
    • Did You Know?
  • Contact Lenses
    • Experienced Fitters
    • Free Contact Lens Trial
    • Who can wear contact lenses?
    • How do I get Started?
    • Looking after your eyes and your lenses
    • Contact Lens Plan
    • Kids and Teens
    • Myopia Control
    • Ortho-K
  • Children
    • Overview
    • Visual Development
    • Colour and Dyslexia
      • Colorimetry and Visual Stress
      • What is Visual Stress?
      • What is involved in the Assessment?
      • FAQs
      • Tom’s Story
    • Myopia Control
    • Kids and Sports
    • UV and the eye
    • Contact Lenses and Children
  • Eyewear
  • SPECIAL OFFERS
  • Blog
  • Contact
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Dry Eye and Red Eye Assessments

At our practice, we often come across patients with ocular hyperaemia (red eye), discharge and discomfort. This is primarily managed with ocular lubricants, over-the-counter remedies and remedial eyelid hygiene. For patients who are not entitled to exemptions from NHS charges, we can prescribe ointments and eye drops via signed orders.

We find that the majority problems leading to red eyes are not from infections, but often allergic/seasonal conjunctivitis which would not benefit from anti-biotic medication.

It may be that your case requires urgent intervention and so we ensure to see red eye patients as soon as possible upon arrival to the practice. We find a brief appointment (15 minutes) is sufficient to make a diagnosis. As the examination is only of the external eye, a full eye examination or refraction is not normally required.

Please visit our page on the new PEARS – NHS free service for those suffering red/dry/sore eyes.

What Causes Dry Eye Syndrome?

  • 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

How is Dry Eye Syndrome Treated?

There is no absolute ‘cure’ for dry eye syndrome. However, most people can get significant relief from symptoms using a variety of treatments and measures.

Lid Margin Hygiene

If the underlying cause is blepharitis or lid margin disease, then treating this can often improve the ocular surface and reduce symptoms.

This can be done by simply applying a hot compress using hot tap water and a clean flannel to the eye each day, and then cleaning the lid margin with the water and the flannel. Some people recommend using chemicals such as baby shampoo and sodium bicarbonate, but more often than not, these can cause ocular surface irritation, and so at least initially, are best avoided.

Lubricants

Regular lubrication in the form of gels or drops can help keep the surface of the eyes wet, and thus reduce symptoms. Often, this is combined with lid margin hygiene.

There are a wide range of eye drops available – consult your optometrist, GP or ophthalmologist for advice on which to use.

For a full dry eye and red eye assessment book an appointment at Ruth Bigger Opticians today.

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