Let’s talk about Dry Eyes

Do your eyes ever feel dry, irritated or gritty?

Do they feel easily tired, heavy and sometimes water more than usual?

Do your eyes get a burning sensation or seem more sensitive to light especially later on in the day?

Do you have trouble wearing eye makeup or contact lenses?

Is this you?

Dry eye syndrome is increasingly common, yet many may not register the symptoms because they can vary from person to person. Lots of people experience the associated symptoms without realising that the cause could be dry eye syndrome. Some of the symptoms include:

Risk factors for Dry Eye

Since the days of lockdown, we are exposed to longer hours of screen use, and lower indoor humidity has also led to increasing rates of tear film imbalance and eye surface dryness. Other common risk factors for dry eye are:

• Aging
• Hormone imbalances – menopause
• Meibomian gland dysfunction
• Contact lens wear
• Prolonged use of systemic drugs (e.g. antihistamines, isotretinoin)
• Air pollution
• Poor nutrition

Local eye care specialist, Taylor-West & Co Optometrists on the Northcote Road are dry eye experts with specialist treatments that can be tailored to improve and alleviate symptoms to help your eyes feel fresher and more comfortable.

Cosmetics and Dry Eye

The eyelid skin is the thinnest in the body and the eyelids function to protect the eyes. Many modern-day cosmetics are laden with ingredients that can be harsh to the delicate eye area. What could make matters worse is that when the delicate skin around our eyes becomes irritated, we may attempt to cover up blemishes by using more make-up and this can be the start of a cycle that becomes hard to stop.

There is increasing evidence showing that many of the components in make-up and skincare products could have a negative impact on the eye surface and tear film when applied to the area around our eyes and on our eyelids. Studies have highlighted that the prevalence of dry eye disease among women who used eye cosmetics was much higher than among the general population. In one of the studies, approximately 25% of participants using eye make-up rarely removed it before sleep. This was shown to be a further significant risk factor in the severity of dry eye.

Even if you’re not currently a dry eye sufferer, you may become one after continued exposure to certain ingredients in cosmetics that have a toxic effect on the eye surface. These ingredients include retinols, salicylic acid and terpinene-4-ol (a major constituent of tea tree oil). Another area of concern is cosmetic enhancements such as eyelash tinting, eyelash extensions and growth serums. The chemicals used often contain volatile organic compounds and preservatives like formaldehyde and chlorphenesin. These are toxic to some of the cells found within our eyelids and are associated with allergic reactions, acute inflammation and contact dermatitis. The adhesives used for false lashes are cryanoacrylates which can enter the eye and induce chemical conjunctivitis or keratitis. Other culprits are parabens, phenoxyethanol, and benzalkonium chloride (not an exhaustive list).

Eye-safe Optocosmetics

Èyes Are The Story is a transformational first-of-kind line of products developed with the eye and ocular surface health in mind. The clinically tested formulas are gluten-free, phthalate-free, and paraben-free and don’t include many of the toxic ingredients found in main-stream cosmetics and skin care. Èyes Are The Story formulations are EU-compliant, which means they adhere to stricter regulations than products tested in the United States. During trials in Europe, the ocular acceptability of the products was assessed on individuals with sensitive eyes, contact lens wearers, and individuals with dry eye. After 28 consecutive days of using Èyes Are The Story products, study participants were queried about ocular sensations felt in intensity and duration, including watering, itching of eyes and eyelids, stinging of eyes and eyelids, dryness of eyes and eyelids, and eyelid swelling. The trials exhibited favourable results, with positive claims that the products are well tolerated on the ocular level and suitable for sensitive eyes.

Èyes Are The Story products are available for purchase at Taylor-West & Co Battersea in-store and online.

Managing Dry Eye

 At Taylor-West & Co Battersea, we endeavour to investigate and understand the condition of your eye surface better with our comprehensive Dry Eye Assessments.

A Dry Eye Assessment will involve the following:

• A detailed discussion of your history and symptoms
• Imaging of your eyelids and eyelashes
• Upper and lower eyelid inner gland scans
• Scan of your tear film
• Use of diagnostic dyes to assess for any surface cell damage

Following an initial dry eye consultation, we will then formulate a personalised management plan to help make your eyes feel fresher and more comfortable.

If you fall within the 85% of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction-induced Dry Eye Disease, we may recommend treatment that is a combination of intense pulsed light (IPL) and low-level light therapy (LLLT).

Until the end of November 2023, Taylor-West & Co Battersea are offering a 10% discount on all Dry Eye Appointments, Dry Eye Treatments and Dry Eye-related Products. Patients on a Taylor-West & Co Eye Care Plan are entitled to a 20% discount.

We look forward to hearing from you!

*IPL & LLLT treatments only available at our Battersea Branch.

Taylor-West & Co
68 Northcote Road
SW11 6QL
Tel:  020 7924 4488
Website:  taylorwestandco.uk/battersea/