What is a dry eye assessment?
Dry eye disease is one of the most common eye conditions in the UK, affecting millions of people of all ages. Despite its name, dry eye can cause symptoms ranging from gritty, burning, or stinging sensations to excessive watering, redness, blurred vision, and tired eyes. A specialist dry eye assessment goes far beyond what a standard eye test covers, investigating the root cause of your symptoms so that treatment can be properly targeted.
During a dry eye assessment, your optometrist will evaluate your tear film in detail. This includes measuring tear production (often using the Schirmer test), assessing the quality and stability of your tear film (tear break-up time), and examining the meibomian glands in your eyelids — these glands produce the oily layer that prevents your tears from evaporating too quickly. Many cases of dry eye are caused by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) rather than simply not producing enough tears.
Based on the findings, your optometrist will recommend a personalised treatment plan. This may include lubricating eye drops, warm compresses, lid hygiene routines, omega-3 supplements, or more advanced in-practice treatments such as meibomian gland expression, intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy, or punctal plugs. Modern dry eye management has advanced significantly, and most patients can achieve meaningful relief with the right combination of treatments tailored to their specific type of dry eye.
Who needs a dry eye assessment?
- Anyone experiencing persistent dry, gritty, burning, or watery eyes
- Contact lens wearers with comfort issues
- People who spend long hours at a screen
- Those taking medications that can cause dry eye (e.g. antihistamines, antidepressants, blood pressure medications)
- Post-menopausal women (hormonal changes increase dry eye risk)
- Anyone with autoimmune conditions such as Sjogren's syndrome or rheumatoid arthritis
- Patients considering or recovering from laser eye surgery
What to expect during a dry eye assessment
- 1A detailed discussion of your symptoms, lifestyle, medications, and health history
- 2Examination of your eyelids and meibomian glands under magnification
- 3Measurement of tear production and tear film quality
- 4Assessment of tear break-up time to see how quickly your tears evaporate
- 5In some clinics, imaging of the meibomian glands (meibography)
- 6A personalised treatment plan based on the type and severity of your dry eye
- 7Advice on environmental changes, screen habits, and ongoing management
How much does it cost?
£50–£100 for a specialist dry eye clinic appointment. Not routinely funded by the NHS, though your GP or optometrist may refer you to a hospital eye clinic for severe cases
How often should you have this test?
As needed; follow-up appointments every 4–12 weeks during active treatment, then periodically for ongoing management