Dry Eye Assessment in Whitton, Twickenham
Have you been using eye drops for months without relief? The EyeSmile dry eye assessments identify what type of dry eye you have, so we can provide you with a treatment that works.
Or call 020 8755 7900·Whitton, Twickenham
Understanding the Root Cause
It is not about treating the symptom, it's understanding the root cause of your dry eye condition and there are two main types to take into consideration. The most common is when you have an issue with the oil-producing glands in your eyelids that cause your tears to evaporate at a rapid rate. The second is that you have reduced tear production, while both have similar symptoms, they respond to different treatments.
Eyelid gland assessment
Most common cause identified
Tear film stability test
How quickly your tears evaporate
Tear production test
Volume of tear production measured
Treatment pathway
Targeted, not generic advice
Types of Dry Eye
Eyelid Gland Dry Eye
Cause: Eyelid gland dry eye is caused by your tears evaporating too quickly, seen in approximately eighty percent of cases.
Approach: Treatment may involve eyelid hygiene, combined with warm compresses, omega-3 and specialist drops.
Insufficient Tear Production
Cause: Insufficient tear products can be caused by certain medications, autoimmune conditions, along with age.
Approach: Treatment may involve lubricating drops, prescription therapy, or a minor procedure.
Beyond Artificial Tears
Accurate Diagnosis
At EyeSmile, we leave nothing to chance, every decision is precise based on expert assessments and diagnosis.
Targeted Treatment
After your assessment, we can provide you with what is causing your dry eye, recommending the right treatment that is tailored to your case.
Contact Lens Comfort
If you wear contact lenses you may have intolerance that is leading to dry eyes. During your dry eye assessment we can identify the cause, enabling you to continue wearing your lenses with comfort moving forward.
Long-Term Relief
At EyeSmile, we treat the cause of your dry eyes, not only the symptoms, providing long-term relief. If you ignore dry eyes, it can result in corneal scarring, which is preventable with the right care and expert guidance.
A Thorough, Methodical Examination
Symptom Questionnaire
At EyeSmile, we use a symptom questionnaire that helps us understand how your dry eyes are impacting your daily life, which gives us a baseline to measure your progress against.
Tear Film Assessment
The tear film assessment is a simple and painless test that measures how quickly your tear film break down after you blink, which is an indication into the type of dry eyes you are experiencing.
Eyelid Gland Assessment
We will also assess your eyelid glands, assessing how well they are working and if they could be the cause of your issue. It is possible your eyelid glands are not producing the oil your tears need to avoid rapid evaporation.
Personalised Treatment Plan
The outcome of your dry eye assessment is provided to you with a written treatment plan that has clear instructions and an effective follow-up schedule.
Dry Eye Affects More People Than You Think
- Contact lens wearers experiencing end-of-day discomfort or shortened wear time
- Screen workers with persistent gritty, burning or tired eyes
- Adults over 50 — dry eye prevalence increases significantly with age
- Post-surgical patients — LASIK and cataract surgery can disrupt tear film for months
- Anyone using artificial tear drops daily without lasting relief
- Patients with autoimmune conditions such as Sjögren's, rheumatoid arthritis or lupus
When Drops Are Not Enough
Are you using artificial tear drops more than four times daily and are still not achieving relief? Booking a specialist dry eye assessment is your next step to treating the cause and providing you with long-term relief.
Book Your AssessmentFrequently Asked Questions
Do you still have questions? Contact EyeSmile and have your questions answered personally.
Can dry eye be cured?
Dry eye is a chronic condition and while it cannot be permanently cured, it can be effectively managed with the right treatment plan. With an EyeSmile treatment plan in place your symptoms can be reduced, your ocular surface health can improve, and long-term damage can be prevented.
What causes dry eye?
Dry eye can be caused by a number of factors, which is why we recommend a dry eye assessment with our specialist EyeSmile team, identifying your cause and providing a personalised treatment plan. Dry eye can be caused by problems with your oil-producing glands, age, medications, environmental factors and autoimmune diseases, along with wearing contact lenses.
How long does a dry eye assessment take?
A comprehensive dry eye assessment at EyeSmile in Whitton, Twickenham takes anywhere from forty five minutes to an hour. This gives our optometrist time to carry out measurements, discuss their findings, and provide you with a tailored treatment plan.
Can dry eye affect my vision?
Definitely. It's not uncommon for dry eye patients to experience fluctuating blurred vision, especially right after blinding. In severe cases, you may have damage to the surface of your cornea that provides more frequent visual issues. We can help resolve your symptoms by effectively treating the cause.
How much does a dry eye assessment cost?
If you need an accurate and transparent price for dry eye assessments in Whitton, Twickenham, contact the EyeSmile team today for our up-to-date fees.
Ready to Book Your Dry Eye Assessment?
Our Whitton, Twickenham optometrists are ready to help. Book online or call us to arrange your appointment.