We specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of dry eye, a common condition that can cause discomfort, irritation, and even vision problems. If you are experiencing symptoms such as dryness, itching, burning, watering eyes or blurry vision, we encourage you to schedule a comprehensive appointment.
Our Optometrists are trained to provide the expert care and support you need to manage your dry eye symptoms and maintain healthy eyes. We use state-of-the-art technology to diagnose and manage dry eye conditions, and we offer a wide range of treatment options to help our patients find relief.
At Weldon Optical, we understand that every patient is unique, and we take a personalised approach to treatment. Our team will work with you to identify the underlying cause of your dry eye symptoms and recommend the best course of treatment for your individual needs.
We offer a variety of treatment options, including artificial tears, prescription eye drops, punctual plugs, meibomian gland expression, and lifestyle changes. We also provide education and support to help our patients manage their dry eye condition over the long term.
WHAT IS THE PREVALENCE OF DRY EYE?
It is estimated that dry eye syndrome affects millions of people worldwide and is one of the most common eye conditions globally. The prevalence of dry eye may vary depending on the population studied, age, gender, and environmental factors such as humidity and air pollution.
Certain populations in South Africa may be at higher risk for dry eyes, such as those who spend a lot of time outdoors or in air-conditioned environments, contact lens wearers, and those with underlying medical conditions like autoimmune diseases or allergies.
It is important for individuals who experience symptoms of dry eye, such as dryness, burning, itching, redness, or blurred vision, to seek a full dry eye analysis at Weldon Optical. Early detection and treatment of dry eye can help prevent complications and improve quality of life.
What are the signs of dry eyes:
- Stinging or burning
- Excessive tearing
- Discharge & Pain
- Redness & Redness
- Blurry vision
- Scratchy sensation
- Feeling that something is in the eye (foreign body sensation)
What causes dry eyes:
- Age
- Windy, smoky, or dry environments
- Seasonal allergies
- Prolonged periods of screen time
- Laser eye surgery
- Medications (antihistamines, antidepressants, birth control pills, etc.)
- Autoimmune disorders (Sjogren’s syndrome, diabetes, thyroid disease, etc.)
- Rosacea
- Gender (women)
How do we diagnose dry eye?
During your routine eye exam, your Optometrist may ask you to fill out a questionnaire to assess various common symptoms of dry eye. This questionnaire – in addition to a general eye health screening – is used to evaluate your eyes. Once we determine that you have dry eye, we will use the following diagnostic equipment to help determine the exact cause of your dry eye:
- Slit lamp
Slit lamp examination is a common diagnostic tool used to examine the eye for a variety of conditions, including dry eye. During a slit lamp examination, your Optometrist uses a specialised microscope equipped with a bright light and magnifying lenses to examine the eye’s structures, including the cornea, conjunctiva, and eyelids.
To examine dry eye, your Optometrist may use a dye called fluorescein to visualise any damage to the surface of the eye. The patient will be asked to blink several times, and then the eye doctor will examine the tear film using the slit lamp. The dye will highlight any areas of the cornea that are dry or damaged, making them more visible to the eye doctor.
Your Optometrist may also use other techniques during the slit lamp examination to assess the severity of the dry eye condition. For example, they may assess tear breakup time (the time it takes for the tears to evaporate), measure tear production, and examine the meibomian glands (which produce the oils that keep tears from evaporating too quickly).
Overall, the slit lamp examination is an important tool in the diagnosis and management of dry eye. It allows your Optometrist to visualize the condition of the eye’s surface and identify any underlying factors contributing to the dryness. This information can help guide treatment decisions and improve outcomes for patients with dry eye.
- Oculus Keratograph
The Oculus Keratograph is a diagnostic tool used to assess the health of the front surface of the eye, known as the cornea, and analyse the different layers of the tear layer and structures of the anterior eye (lids, cornea, tear glands, Meibomian glands) including the degree of redness, tear film stability and oil production to determine the cause of your dry eye.
The device uses a non-invasive, high-resolution camera to capture images of the cornea, providing detailed information about its shape, curvature, and health.
Applications of the Oculus Keratograph include measuring corneal topography, evaluating tear film quality and quantity, detecting and monitoring dry eye disease, assessing contact lens fitting, and aiding in the diagnosis of corneal disorders.
The device can also provide a visualization of the meibomian glands, which are responsible for producing the oily layer of the tear film, helping to diagnose meibomian gland dysfunction, a common cause of dry eye disease.
Overall, the Oculus Keratograph is a valuable tool for our optometrists in the diagnosis and management of a range of ocular conditions, providing detailed and accurate information about the cornea and tear film.
What happens if you don’t treat Dry Eyes?
Frequent eye infections. Your tears protect the surface of your eyes from infection. Without adequate tears, you may have an increased risk of eye infection.
Damage to the surface of your eyes. If left untreated, severe dry eyes may lead to eye inflammation, abrasion of the corneal surface, corneal ulcer and vision problems.
Decreased quality of life. Dry eyes can make it difficult to perform everyday activities, such as reading.
If it feels like you have dry eyes, give us a call to book an appointment immediately or contact us over Whatsapp. +27 79 841 7993
Our professional team is ready to help you.
We view your care as both an honour and a serious responsibility. We’re dedicated to improvements through continuing education and technological advancements.