Horsfalls Optometrists — caring for your eyes at every stage of life

At Horsfalls Optometrists, our experienced optometry team is dedicated to ensuring your eyes are as healthy as possible, both inside and out.

As part of this commitment, we’ve invested in targeted technology to address the dry eye concerns of our local community.

First, we need to educate our patients on what ‘dry eye’ really is, how it works and what we can do about it.

Perhaps your eyes feel gritty or tired, water more than they used to, or become uncomfortable when reading, watching television or spending time outdoors.

While these symptoms can sometimes be dismissed as simply “getting older”, they may be signs of dry eye disease.

Dry eye is a common condition that occurs when the eyes do not produce enough quality tears, or when tears evaporate too quickly.

Our tears are more than just water, they contain oils and mucus that work together to keep the surface of the eye comfortable, healthy and protected.

One of the most common contributors to dry eye is dysfunction of the tiny oil-producing glands in our eyelids, called meibomian glands.

These glands release an oily layer that helps prevent our tears from evaporating too quickly.

When these glands become blocked or don't work effectively, tears can evaporate faster, leading to dryness and irritation.

Symptoms can include burning, stinging, redness, a gritty sensation, fluctuating vision and even watery eyes.

Sound familiar?

About seven in 10 Australians experience dry eye symptoms, from seasonal irritants to chronic dry, watery or painful eyes.

At Horsfalls Optometrists, your trusted practitioner can assist in assessing and classifying your own symptoms and co-ordinate a management plan to relieve as many of those symptoms as possible.

Surprisingly, watery eyes are often a sign of dry eye.

When the surface of the eye becomes irritated, it can trigger an overflow of watery tears that don't provide lasting relief.

The good news is that you don't necessarily have to put up with these symptoms.

There is now a large range of treatment options available, and your optometrist can assess the health of your eyes and help determine what may be contributing to your discomfort.

At Horsfalls Optometrists, we have recently introduced Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and Low Level Light Therapy (LLLT) as new in-house treatment options for suitable patients.

IPL uses carefully controlled pulses of light around the eye area to target inflammation and meibomian gland dysfunction.

LLLT uses low-level light to gently warm and stimulate the area around the eyes to encourage increased cellular action to combat the problem.

Both treatments can be utilised on their own, however they will often be used in combination for best results.

Importantly, these treatments are not a one-size-fits-all solution.

A thorough assessment is provided to determine the type and severity of dry eye, and whether IPL, LLLT or both may be the most effective.

Treatment may also be combined with other strategies, such as eyelid hygiene, warm compresses, lubricating eye drops or other recommendations tailored to the individual.

As with any medical treatment, results vary from patient to patient, which is why your friendly optometrist will continue to re-assess progress and tweak the management plan along the way as needed.

Comfortable, healthy eyes can make a real difference to your everyday quality of life.

This Seniors Month, make your eye health part of your overall wellbeing.

If your eyes regularly feel dry, tired, gritty or irritated, don't simply assume it's something you have to live with.

If you are experiencing ongoing dry eye symptoms, book a comprehensive dry eye assessment at your local Horsfalls branch in Echuca, phone 03 5482 1975, for Kyabram phone 03 5852 2711 or visit horsfalls.com.au