Dry Eye Treatment

Permanent (silicone) punctal plugs last indefinitely and can be removed if needed. Dissolvable plugs last 3-6 months and are sometimes used as a trial before permanent plugs.

Most patients benefit from a course of 3-4 IPL sessions spaced 2-4 weeks apart, with maintenance sessions every 6-12 months. The exact number depends on the severity of your condition.

Most treatments are well tolerated. Punctal plug insertion is quick and painless. IPL feels like a warm, gentle pulse on the skin. Meibomian gland expression may cause mild temporary pressure.

Dry eye is typically a chronic condition that can be effectively managed and significantly improved with the right treatment, but it requires ongoing management in most cases.

Ikervis is a prescription eye drop containing ciclosporin (cyclosporin) 0.1%. It targets the inflammation that drives many cases of dry eye, helping the eye produce more of its own natural tears. It is typically used once daily over several months for best results.

Both keep the eye's natural tears on the surface for longer by slowing tear drainage. Punctal plugs are small physical devices placed in the tear ducts, while Lacrifill is a soft hydrogel filler that moulds to the drainage channel and lasts up to around six months — with nothing solid that can dislodge.

An amniotic membrane transplant, such as Omnigen, uses a thin biological graft placed on the surface of the eye to promote healing and reduce inflammation. It is reserved for severe or persistent ocular surface disease that has not responded to other dry eye treatments.