Welcome to Park Vision’s specialist dry eye clinic
The very latest in ocular surface technology and dry eye research.
Dry Eye Disease (DED), is an increasingly common condition affecting people of all ages. It occurs when there is an insufficient volume and/or quality of tears to keep the surface of the eye sufficiently lubricated.
The common symptoms of DED are: watering, itchiness, burning, redness and irritation. It is a chronic and progressive disease meaning proper diagnosis and management is necessary to address it.
Ocular lubricants (dry eye drops) can be bought easily or prescribed by your GP but they will only temporarily help to manage the symptoms…..and…are you using the right dry eye drops? With so many on the market how do you choose?
Understanding and investigating your dry eye and tear film will allow proper treatment and alleviation of symptoms.
What is tear film?
The tear film is complex containing multiple layers secreted by different glands and tissues. Each layer contains specific molecules and proteins that not only maintain the health of the cells on the ocular surface by providing nourishment and removal of waste products but also protect these cells from environment. The tear film is made up of three layers:
1.The mucin layer: this lays against the eye surface and secreted by conjunctival mucous cells. This layer maintains the hydration of the eye, provides lubrication against the conjunctiva and cornea during blink and contributes as a barrier to protect the eye from germs binding to the front surface.
2. The aqueous layer: secreted by the lachrymal glands and represents the bulk of the tear film. It is composed of 98% water. The main function of the aqueous layer is to nourish and protect the eye. The aqueous layer carries nutrients and oxygen to the cornea and carries waste products away. It also hydrates the cornea and thereby prevents it from drying out and becoming
opaque.
3. The lipid layer: secreted by the Meibomian glands. The lipid layer is the outermost layer of the tear film and prevents evaporation of the aqueous layer from the eye. This layer forms a thin, smooth film whose thickness, and structure, influences the rate of evaporation.
Dry eye, put simply, is caused by an impairment of the tear film. This is in the form of insufficient production of tears or the tears evaporating too quickly (evaporative dry eye) and usually caused by a poor or insufficient lipid layer. Evaporative dry eye accounts for 80% of patient sufferers.
At Park Vision we have the latest dry eye technology to investigate, measure and manage your dry eye problems. Offering the latest treatment procedures and leading the field in DED management….
Your Park Vision Dry Eye Assessment
The IDRA measures:
The results from this assessment will allow us to demonstrate the reasons behind your DED and recommend an individual dry eye treatment plan.