Gritty, burning or irritable eyes can make everyday tasks feel like hard work. Justine runs dedicated dry eye clinics, offering expert assessment and treatment from a specialist optometrist and independent prescriber. Common symptoms include redness, sore eyelids, light sensitivity, blurred vision and a feeling that something is in the eye.
Surprisingly, dry eyes can also water excessively, as the eye produces extra watery tears to soothe an irritated surface. While there is no single cure, most people find significant relief with the right care.
Healthy eyes rely on a stable tear film, spread across the surface with every blink. Dry eye develops when you either produce too few tears or your tears are poor quality and evaporate too quickly. Poor tear quality is often linked to blocked or inflamed oil glands in the eyelids, known as meibomian gland dysfunction or blepharitis.
It becomes more common with age and affects more women than men. Hot or windy climates, air conditioning, screen use, some medications and inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis can all contribute.
Because dry eye has several possible causes, treatment starts with understanding yours. Justine begins by discussing your symptoms, general health, medications and daily routine. She then examines the surface of your eyes closely using a slit lamp microscope.
A safe dye called fluorescein, viewed under blue light, highlights any dry or damaged areas on the eye’s surface. She also checks your eyelid margins and oil glands for signs of blepharitis. You leave with a clear explanation and a treatment plan tailored to you.
There is no one-size-fits-all treatment, so Justine combines the options most likely to help you. Daily warm compresses and lid cleaning help to unblock oil glands and calm inflamed eyelids. Lubricating drops or gels keep the eye’s surface moist, and Justine will recommend the most suitable product rather than leaving you to guess.
As an independent prescriber, she can also prescribe medication privately when it is clinically needed. For more severe dry eye, punctal plugs may be considered to help keep tears on the eye for longer.
Alongside treatment, Justine will share simple everyday changes that can make a real difference, such as blinking more during screen use, avoiding direct heat and adding omega-3 to your diet. Because dry eye is often ongoing, regular reviews can help keep symptoms under control. Justine Proctor Optometrist is a private practice and does not offer NHS appointments. To book your dry eye assessment, request an appointment online or call Justine on 07701281081. She is happy to answer any questions before your visit.
Common symptoms include gritty or burning eyes, redness, sore eyelids, light sensitivity, blurred vision and a feeling that something is in the eye. Symptoms can range from mild irritation to significant discomfort and are often worse in the morning.
When the surface of the eye becomes dry and irritated, it triggers the main tear glands to produce extra watery tears. These reflex tears lack the oils needed to protect the eye, so they drain away quickly and leave the underlying dryness untreated.
There is no absolute cure for dry eye, but most people experience significant relief with the right treatment. Because dry eye is often an ongoing condition, regular reviews help Justine adjust your treatment and keep your symptoms under control.
Treatment usually combines warm compresses, eyelid cleaning and lubricating drops or gels. As an independent prescriber, Justine can also prescribe medication privately when clinically needed. In more severe cases, punctal plugs may be considered to help keep tears on the eye for longer.
Request an appointment online or call Justine on 07701281081. Justine Proctor Optometrist is a private practice and does not offer NHS appointments. Your assessment includes a detailed examination of your eyes and eyelids, followed by a treatment plan tailored to you.
