Compassionate dry eye care & treatment at our Sevenoaks practice

Dry Eye is a common eye condition characterised by symptoms of burning, itching, grittiness, dryness, excessive tearing, contact lens intolerance, sensitivity to light and blurry/smeary vision. Dry Eye is a chronic (long-term) condition which often requires ongoing management rather than a single, one off cure and for successful treatment it is important that the treatment plan is tailored to the individual. We therefore encourage those struggling with dry eye symptoms to book a Dry Eye Assessment with one of our specialist optometrists.

Dry Eye Assessments

£125

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Punctal plug fitting

£200 Per pair

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IPL and LLLT treatment

£750 (4 sessions)

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Where can you access the Dry Eye Clinic?

Dry Eye Assessments and treatments are available at our Sevenoaks branch.

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Dry Eye Assessments

Those struggling with dry eye symptoms are encouraged to book a comprehensive Dry Eye Assessment, during which the optometrist will take a detailed history to understand your symptoms and review your general health and medication. A series of investigations to assess tear quality, tear quantity, eyelid health and blink patterns will be performed. The Optometrist will also discuss treatments you’ve previously tried and, after identifying the underlying causes of your symptoms, create a personalised management plan.

Depending on your individual needs, treatments may include:

  • Tear supplements (drops or ointments).
  • An at-home eyelid care routine.
  • Prescription eye drops and/or oral medications.
  • Lifestyle and dietary advice.
  • In-clinic eyelid exfoliation.
  • Punctal plug fitting to increase tear retention.
  • Combined IPL and LLLT therapy for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.

Dry Eye Assessments cost £125 and are available at our Sevenoaks branch.

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a young lady wearing protective goggles while receiving IPL treatment

The causes of Dry Eye Disease

More than 85% of dry eye cases are linked to excessive tear evaporation. The surface of your eye is covered by a thin tear film with three layers:

A mucin layer secreted by that conjunctival goblet cells. This provides lubrication and helps the watery middle layer adhere to the eye.

A watery layer secreted by the lacrimal gland that provides moisture and has antimicrobial properties.

An oil layer secreted by the Meibomian gland within the eyelids. This stabilises the tear film and slows evaporation.

In many cases, the oil layer is insufficient due to issues with the eyelid oil (Meibomian) glands which produce and secrete the oil. An insufficient oil layer results in excessive tear evaporation and cascade of processes that result in inflammation of the lid and eye surface. This condition is called Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and is an important cause the dry eye symptoms reported by some patients.

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Dry eye is often multifactorial, meaning several factors may contribute to its symptoms.

While avoiding some causes can help, this is not always possible.
Other potential causes include:

  • Aqueous deficiency; not producing enough of the watery tear layer.
  • Low blink rate; common with extended screen use.
  • Environmental factors that increase tear evaporation (e.g., air conditioning).
  • Hormonal changes, such as those during menopause.
  • Contact lens wear.
  • Certain medications.
  • Eyelid abnormalities or difficulty closing the eyes fully.

Treatment options for Dry Eye

With increased screen time and environmental factors like air conditioning, dry eye disease is becoming more common. Our clinic takes a holistic approach, focusing on the root causes of dry eye rather than simply masking symptoms. Each patient receives a personalised treatment plan that progresses in a structured, step-wise manner depending on the severity of symptoms.

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For mild cases, we begin with simple home-care strategies, lubricants and lifestyle adjustments if they haven’t already been introduced. For moderate to severe cases, we may recommend targeted medications, such as anti-inflammatory drops (like steroids or ciclosporin) or antibiotics. To enhance tear retention, we may fit punctal plugs, which block tear drainage, helping maintain moisture on the eye’s surface.

For patients with Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), which is often linked to dry eye disease, we offer advanced therapies like Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT). IPL uses gentle light pulses to target inflamed blood vessels in the eyelids, while LLLT works at a cellular level to increase natural tear production and relieve gland blockages.

Our progressive treatment options ensure we can address all levels of dry eye severity, providing effective relief tailored to each patient’s needs.

A women wearing an IPL mask, emitting a glowing light treatment

IPL and LLLT treatment for Dry Eye

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT) are advanced light-based therapies for treating Dry Eye and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD).

Intense Pulsed Light

IPL uses controlled pulses of polychromatic light applied below the lower eyelid and cheekbone. These thermal pulses stimulate the meibomian glands to improve oil secretion and reduce abnormal blood vessels (telangiectasia) in the eyelids, which drive inflammation in MGD.

Low-Level Light Therapy

LLLT, a form of targeted photobiomodulation, uses LED light to penetrate the cells of the eyelid. This light boosts mitochondrial activity, increasing ATP production and generating gentle heat. This endogenous heating helps clear blockages in the meibomian glands and reduces inflammatory responses.

These non-invasive therapies, IPL and LLLT, are effective for a range of ocular surface conditions, including dry eye, MGD, chalazion, and styes. Combined in a structured regimen, typically four sessions over six weeks, they work synergistically to manage symptoms and improve gland function.

The 4 treatment regimen of IPL and LLLT treatment costs £750.

Dry Eye Clinic FAQ’s

Below are some of our frequently asked questions about Dry Eye Clinic, please get in touch if you require any further information or support.

A comprehensive Dry Eye Assessment involves several key tests to accurately diagnose and understand the underlying causes of dry eye symptoms:

  • Detailed Patient History – the optometrist reviews your general health, medication use, and lifestyle factors to identify any potential contributors to your symptoms.
  • Tear Analysis – using advanced tools like the Medmont Topographer, we conduct a non-invasive tear evaporation test, along with the Schirmer test, to measure your eye’s natural tear production.
  • Eyelid Health and Meibum Quality – the optometrist assesses the condition of your eyelids, the quality of the meibum (oil) they produce, and your blinking habits, as these are crucial to eye moisture.
  • Meibography Imaging – this imaging technique helps us check for any shortening or loss (atrophy) of the glands responsible for tear production.
  • Tear Dye Test – a safe diagnostic dye is used to detect and grade the severity of dryness on the eye’s surface, providing additional insight into your condition.

Each of these assessments enables the optometrist to tailor a targeted treatment plan for optimal relief of your dry eye symptoms.

No, IPL and LLLT treatments do not cause pain. You will however feel a warming sensation during treatment. After the application of the IPL and LLLT treatment the optometrist will gently express your glands. Some people find these experience mildly uncomfortable. For this reason the optometrist will use a mild anaesthetic drop to make the gland expression treatment comfortable.

Punctal plugs are tiny, biocompatible devices inserted into the tear ducts to help retain moisture on the eye’s surface. By blocking tear drainage, they increase eye hydration, providing relief for those with dry eye symptoms. They are safe, reversible, and can be a valuable option for managing chronic dryness. Punctal plug fitting costs £200 per pair.

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