Introduction
At The Retina Clinic London, we provide specialist assessment and tailored treatment for Dry Eye Disease (DED), a common condition that can cause discomfort, irritation, and fluctuating vision. Dry eye develops when the eyes do not produce enough tears, when tears evaporate too quickly, or when the tear film becomes unstable and inflamed. Symptoms can range from mild and intermittent to persistent and more disruptive, affecting reading, screen use, driving, and everyday comfort.
Because dry eye is often multifactorial, successful treatment depends on identifying the underlying cause and building a personalised management plan rather than relying on a single solution. We are here to help.
All new patients begin with a private consultation, during which we carry out a detailed specialist assessment and discuss the most appropriate next step for your eye health.
To book your consultation, please call us on +44 (0)20 4548 5310 or visit www.theretinacliniclondon.com.
We’ll be glad to guide you through the next steps.
What is Dry Eye Disease (DED)?
A healthy tear film is essential for comfort, protection of the ocular surface, and clear, stable vision. It has three important components:
- An oily layer, which helps reduce evaporation
- A watery layer, which provides moisture
- A mucous layer, which helps tears spread evenly across the surface of the eye
When this balance is disrupted, the surface of the eye can become dry, irritated, and inflamed.
What causes Dry Eye Disease (DED)?
Dry eye can develop for many different reasons. Common causes include:
- Reduced tear production, which becomes more common with age
- Excess tear evaporation, often linked to meibomian gland dysfunction, where the oil glands in the eyelids are not working properly
- Inflammation affecting the surface of the eye or eyelids
- Blepharitis or rosacea, which can worsen eyelid inflammation and tear film instability
- Long periods of screen use, which reduce blinking and can make symptoms more noticeable
- Air conditioning, indoor heating, wind, dry environments, or smoky conditions
- Contact lens wear
- Hormonal and general health factors, particularly in midlife and later life
- Certain medicines, including some antidepressants, blood pressure medicines, antihistamines, and some long-term eye drops, especially preserved glaucoma drops
- Previous eye procedures, including laser eye surgery, and sometimes cataract surgery, which can trigger, worsen, or unmask dry eye symptoms in some patients
Many patients have more than one contributing factor, which is why treatment needs to be individualised.
Symptoms of Dry Eye Disease (DED)
Common symptoms include:
- Dryness or a gritty sensation
- Burning or stinging
- Redness
- Blurred or fluctuating vision
- Watery eyes caused by reflex tearing
- Light sensitivity
- Eye fatigue, particularly during reading or screen use
How we assess Dry Eye Disease (DED)
At The Retina Clinic London, our approach is focused on understanding why your eyes are dry, not simply confirming that dryness is present. Careful assessment helps us distinguish between reduced tear production, evaporative dry eye, eyelid disease, medication-related dryness, and mixed presentations.
We offer a dedicated dry eye work-up and use advanced diagnostic imaging and tear film assessment to provide a more objective analysis of the ocular surface, tear film stability, and meibomian gland function. As part of TRCL’s wider technology-led model, the clinic also uses advanced imaging and AI-assisted diagnostics within its broader ophthalmic practice, supporting precise assessment and personalised treatment planning.
Your assessment may include:
- A detailed discussion of your symptoms, lifestyle, medical history, and current drops or medications
- Examination of the ocular surface and eyelid margins
- Objective analysis of tear film quality and stability
- Assessment of meibomian gland function
- Identification of associated conditions such as blepharitis or rosacea
Treatment for Dry Eye Disease (DED)
Treatment depends on the cause and severity of the condition. At The Retina Clinic London, we prioritise treatments according to what is driving the dryness, with the aim of improving tear film stability, reducing inflammation, and restoring the health of the ocular surface.
IPL Therapy combined with manual meibomian gland treatment
For many patients with evaporative dry eye linked to meibomian gland dysfunction, one of the most effective treatment pathways is Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy combined with manual meibomian gland treatment. This approach is designed to reduce inflammation around the eyelids, improve the function of the oil glands, and enhance the quality of the tear film.
At The Retina Clinic London, we combine manual treatment with IPL therapy as part of a structured dry eye approach, particularly where blocked or poorly functioning glands are a major contributor to symptoms. A course of treatment is often recommended for best results.
Anti-inflammatory treatment
Inflammation is a key part of Dry Eye Disease, especially when symptoms are persistent.
Topical steroid drops may sometimes be used for short periods to calm inflammation more quickly in moderate or more severe cases. These are prescribed carefully and monitored closely.
Topical ciclosporin may be recommended for longer-term control of inflammation on the surface of the eye. It can help improve tear production and reduce chronic irritation over time, although improvement is usually gradual rather than immediate.
Punctal occlusion, including punctal plugs and Lacrifill®
For some patients, it is helpful to reduce tear drainage so that tears remain on the surface of the eye for longer. This is known as punctal occlusion. Treatments may include traditional punctal plugs as well as Lacrifill®, a cross-linked hyaluronic acid canalicular gel designed to temporarily block tear drainage by occluding the canalicular system.
This can be particularly helpful for selected patients with aqueous-deficient dry eye, for patients whose symptoms have not improved sufficiently with drops alone, and for some international patients or those who cannot attend very frequently, where a longer-lasting tear retention strategy may be especially useful. Suitability depends on the individual patient and the pattern of dryness.
Lubricating eye drops
Artificial tears are often an important part of treatment, but they should ideally be matched to the pattern of dry eye rather than used in a generic way. They can help to:
- Improve hydration of the ocular surface
- Reduce irritation and discomfort
- Support a more stable tear film
Preservative-free drops are often preferred when frequent use is needed, especially in patients already using multiple eye drops.
Heated eye mask and lid hygiene
Supportive home treatment remains important, especially when meibomian gland dysfunction or blepharitis is present. This may include:
- Warm compresses or heated eye masks to soften gland secretions
- Lid hygiene to reduce debris and inflammation along the eyelid margin
- A regular eyelid care routine to support longer-term symptom control
Additional treatment considerations
Depending on the underlying cause, treatment may also include:
- Reviewing whether certain medications or drops may be aggravating symptoms
- Management of blepharitis or rosacea
- Advice on screen habits and blinking
- Environmental measures such as reducing direct airflow or using humidification
- Contact lens advice where relevant
Why choose The Retina Clinic London for Dry Eye Disease (DED) treatment?
At The Retina Clinic London, dry eye care is approached as a specialist diagnostic and treatment service rather than a one-size-fits-all complaint clinic. We focus on identifying the factors driving your symptoms and building a treatment plan around them, whether that means meibomian gland dysfunction, inflammation, reduced tear production, medication-related dryness, post-surgical dryness, or a combination of causes.
Our clinic model is built around advanced diagnostics, objective analysis, and personalised care. TRCL publicly emphasises the use of cutting-edge imaging and diagnostic technology, and states that it was the first retina clinic in the UK to deploy AI in clinical practice for monitoring and diagnosis within its wider ophthalmic service. That technology-led culture supports a more precise and individualised approach to assessment.
Patients also benefit from a more joined-up pathway. TRCL’s patient journey emphasises detailed consultation, advanced testing on site, and personalised planning, which is particularly valuable in Dry Eye Disease where symptoms, signs, and causes do not always line up neatly. For patients travelling from abroad, or those unable to attend frequently, treatment strategies such as punctal occlusion may also be especially helpful when clinically appropriate.
Above all, our aim is to provide clear explanations, careful assessment, and treatment that is tailored to the way dry eye is affecting your comfort, vision, and daily life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dry Eye
What is the main cause of dry eye disease?
Dry eye is usually caused by an imbalance in the tear film, often due to poor oil gland function or reduced tear production.
Can dry eye go away on its own?
In some mild cases symptoms may improve, but many patients require ongoing management depending on the underlying cause.
Why do my eyes water if I have dry eye?
Excess tearing can occur as a reflex response to dryness, where the eye tries to compensate for irritation.
Is dry eye disease serious?
While often not sight-threatening, it can significantly affect comfort and visual quality, and in some cases may impact the surface of the eye if untreated.
What is the best treatment for dry eye?
Treatment depends on the cause and may include lubricating drops, light-based therapies such as IPL, or targeted anti-inflammatory treatment.
How is dry eye diagnosed?
Diagnosis involves assessing the tear film, eyelid glands, and ocular surface, often using specialised imaging and clinical examination.
Does screen use make dry eye worse?
Yes, prolonged screen use can reduce blink rate and worsen symptoms.
When should I see a specialist for dry eye?
If symptoms are persistent, worsening, or affecting vision or daily comfort, a specialist assessment is recommended.