At the Tear Clinic

You will be asked to complete and return a questionnaire in advance of your initial appointment. This includes details of your symptoms and of previous diagnoses and treatments and will be discussed in full at your appointment. On occasion the optometrist may call you back to discuss this information in advance of your appointment. Your initial appointment will last up to an hour and 15 minutes, including initial pre-screening, and while this can be tailored to your particular symptoms a typical appointment has a structured approach including the following assessments.

Prescreening: Symptoms based questionnaire and imaging of the ocular surface and meibomian glands.

Appointment with optometrist: Detailed history, taking, osmolarity testing as required, Schirmer tests, slit lamp assessment of eyelids, lashes, tear film and ocular surface.

Post appointment: You will be emailed a detailed report of findings, and management plan including advice on recommended treatment options.

Typical management requires at least one follow up appointment and sometimes conditions require longer term, regular review.

Possible treatments include:

- Environmental advice

- Lid hygiene and warm compresses

- Ocular lubricants

- Eyelid deep clean including Bleph Ex and Zest (zocular eyelid system technology)

- Meibomian gland expression

- Punctum plugs

- In practice Light Modulation® Low-Level Light Therapy

- Prescription medications

- Therapeutic contact lenses including scleral lenses

- Lacrimal syringing.

Pricing information

In Scotland the NHS eye examination covers a basic first line dry eye assessment but where this is ineffective, specialist assessment and treatment must be paid for privately.

The initial consultation is £199 and takes about an hour. Depending on your recommended treatment plan, you can then either choose to pay each time you visit, or alternatively due to the ongoing nature of dry eye problems, many choose to join our Vision+ care plan. Vision+ is the best way to ensure optimum care for your eyes and for us to be able to review your eyes appropriately ensuring the best results.

Vision+ for dry eyes costs from £16 per month and includes:

• All appointment fees
• Unlimited appointments with your optometrist at the dry eye clinic
• Unlimited deep cleans of the eyelids and lashes
• Unlimited scans and imaging of your eyes
• Discounted prices on eye drops and cleaning products
• All the other benefits of Vision+ including discounted prices on contact lenses and 25% of spectacle lenses and frames.

For those who opt out of Vision+, any subsequent follow up appointments would be charged from £79-109 per visit.

To make an initial appointment please contact the practice on 0131 225 2235 or e-mail on tearclinic@cameronoptom.com.