Dry eye syndrome is the most common eye disorder in Britain, affecting approximately 20% of people in the UK. Dry eye is common as we get older, and is exacerbated by time spent in front of computer screens and in centrally heated or air conditioned environments. 1 in every 3 people over the age of 65 experiences problems with dry eyes.
Dry eye disease occurs when either
Tear evaporation due to dysfunction of the Meibomian oil glands is the commonest cause of dry eye.
Tears are made of 3 main components:
Mucus tears are produced by mucus cells in the conjunctiva (the transparent lining over the white of the eye). Mucus tear production is healthy in most people. In rare conditions where there is scarring of the conjunctiva, e.g. chemical burns or ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP), production of mucus tears is compromised.
Aqueous tears are mainly produced by the lacrimal gland (the tear gland) via openings in the upper eyelid. As we get older, particularly in women after menopause, the lacrimal gland produces less aqueous tears.
Oily tears are produced by Meibomian oil glands in the eyelids, which have their openings just behind the eyelashes on both the upper and lower eyelids. This smooth oily layer of tears acts like a waterproof barrier. It stops the aqueous tears from evaporating.
Every time we blink, our eyelids create a new tear film over the front of our eyes. REMEMBER TO BLINK!
Typical symptoms are that the vision is better just after blinking (when a new smooth layer of tears has been laid over the cornea again, by the eyelids closing), but quickly deteriorates when the layer of tears evaporates e.g. when watching a computer screen in the afternoon.Why are tears important for sharp vision? A uniform smooth layer of tears is essential for sharp vision. When light first hits the eye, it hits the tear film, not the cornea. If the tear film is not a smooth, uniform layer, but instead has patchy areas where it evaporates quickly and dries out, the light gets scattered and does not focus clearly on the back of the eye. Vision fluctuates.
Careful evaluation by an expert in both dry eye and laser eye surgery like Miss Saw will optimise the condition of your eyes prior to surgery, and ensure that you have an outstanding outcome after laser or implant surgery. Why compromise on anything less? Your eyesight is precious. There are many laser eye surgeons but few who have years of expertise and experience in both dry eye and laser eye surgery like Miss Saw.Laser eye surgery and tears LASIK can cause dry eye. Multifocal implants give best vision when the tear film is uniform and healthy. Difficulty tolerating contact lenses is most commonly due to dry eye.
There are 2 main types of dry eye:
The following information is provided as a guide only. Careful assessment and treatment by an eye specialist (ophthalmologist) who has the expert training and experience to accurately determine your diagnosis and best treatment approach is important.
The first step is to evaluate which type of dry eye is present: either lack of aqueous (watery) tears and/or lack of oily tears leading to rapid tear evaporation.
The second step is to identify and treat or reverse any underlying cause e.g. stop antidepressant or antihistamine medications, use a different type of contact lens or reduce the number of hours you wear contact lenses,treat Sjogren’s syndrome with a rheumatologist.
The next step is to correct each type of dry eye in turn.
Treatment of aqueous tear deficiency involves treatment along a stepladder of therapy:
Replacement of aqueous (watery) tears with artificial tears, gels or ointments is the first treatment in aqueous tear deficiency. See our guide to “How to put in eye drops, gels and ointments”.
There are many different types of artificial tears, made by different companies. Some people find one brand works better for them than another, although no one knows why. It is usually best to try one type for at least one month, until you find the one that works best for you. If you find you need to use the drops more than 4x/day, or if you would like to use them with contact lenses, it is best to use preservative-free eye drops.
Artificial eye gels are thicker than eye drops. They last longer on the eye and need to be put in less frequently, but they can blur the vision, usually only for a few seconds, which can be helped by blinking.
Artificial eye ointments are usually used at bedtime because they are thick and cause blurry vision. They help stop the eyes drying out overnight so that they feel more comfortable in the morning. Some thinner ointments can be used during the daytime as well, for long lasting comfort.
Steroid eye drops may be needed if the dry eye condition has led to inflammation of the surface of the eye. Acetylcysteine eye drops clear the mucus in the tear film and improve comfort and vision.
Punctal plugs stop tears from draining away, to help them stay on the surface of your eyes for longer. Punctal plugs are made of soft silicone or collagen. They cannot usually be felt when they are in place. They can be removed if the eye is too watery. If the plugs are helping your symptoms of dry eye, it is usually recommended to leave them in.
The plugs can sometimes fall out on their own. An optometrist or ophthalmologist with appropriate equipment can check if the plug is still in place. If the plugs definitely help your eyes, but they keep falling out, it is best to consider having punctal cautery. Punctal cautery is where the opening of the tear drainage tube is permanently sealed off by a simple procedure carried out under local anaesthetic.
Topical ciclosporin is an anti-inflammatory medication which has been shown to increase tear production. Restasis (Ciclosporin 0.05%) has been available in the US and approved by the FDA since 2003. Unfortunately Restasis has never been available in Europe or the UK. Since July 2015 a licensed version of topical ciclosporin, Ikervis (Ciclosporin 0.1%) is now available for dry eye disease. Topical ciclosporin has a slow onset of action. It can take 3-6 months for the medication to work.
For the majority of people steps 1-4 are sufficient to manage their Aqueous (watery) Tear Deficient dry eye. Steps 5-8 are listed below.
Oral pilocarpine can help patients with severe dry eye and dry mouth, for example Sjogren’s syndrome patients. It stimulates the nerves that produce tears from the lacrimal gland and the salivary glands. However it can cause side effects including sweating, a racing heart, nausea and diarrhoea.
Autologous serum eye drops may be required in patients who have tried all previous therapies without improvement. Natural tears contain growth factors, proteins and vitamins to support the health of the cornea and surface of the eye. Artificial tear supplements lack these growth factors and proteins. Serum derived from clotted blood has a large variety of nutritious growth factors, vitamins, and proteins, some in higher concentrations than in natural tears.
In the UK, autologous serum eye drops can only be obtained via the NHS blood and transplant service. These eye drops are prepared from the patient’s own blood, which is processed to separate out the serum after the blood has clotted. The serum is diluted with saline, dispensed into dropper bottles and frozen. The frozen drops are delivered to the patient, and one bottle is used each day. If the patient is not able to have their own blood taken (for example if they are anaemic or very elderly) then allogeneic serum drops, made of pooled donor blood product, is also available.
Tarsorrhaphy is a small surgical procedure to make the opening between the eyelids smaller, usually at the outer corners of the eyes. This may be necessary in some severe cases of dry eye, to reduce the surface area of the eye exposed.
Systemic immunosuppressive therapy (to suppress the immune system) may be needed in autoimmune diseases like Sjogren’s syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis.
Lack of oily tears due to Meibomian oil gland dysfunction is the commonest cause of dry eye. When severe, Meibomian oil gland dysfunction leads to blepharitis, or development of cysts (chalazion) on the eyelids. See Blepharitis.
Meibomian oil glands are like other sebaceous oily (pimple, acne) glands. Meibomian oil glands do not work well when we are stressed, or have not had enough sleep. When they are dysfunctional, rather than producing clear oil to keep the surface of the eyes moist and keep the vision smooth and clear, they become blocked and filled with a waxy whitish substance. Dysfunction of the Meibomian oil glands in the eyelid can be associated with a skin condition called rosacea.
When carried out correctly, hot eyelid massage helps restore Meibomian oil gland function, to express natural oily tears onto the surface of the eye. Expressing natural oily tears onto the surface of your eyes can mean that you don’t have to put in as many artificial tear drops.
The simplest (and often the best) way to correct Meibomian oil gland dysfunction is to hold a small thin folded hot towel or flannel over your eyelids to melt the thickened waxy oil in the Meibomian oil glands, and gently push backwards on your eyelids through the towel, near where the eyelashes come out, to express the natural oil from the gland openings near the eyelashes. Make the towel hot with running tap water which is quite hot (but not so hot that you can’t tolerate it). After counting for 10 seconds whilst pushing backwards towards the upper eyelashes, make the towel hot again, then put the hot towel over the lower eyelids on both sides and count for 10 seconds whilst pushing backwards near where the lower eyelashes come out. You can repeat this for another cycle, making it 10 seconds x 2 on the top eyelid and 10 seconds x 2 on the bottom eyelid.
This should not take up more than 40 seconds of your day. Make it part of your daily hygiene routine, either in the morning after coming out of the shower, or in the evening after brushing your teeth.
The main purpose of using hot running tap water, and re-heating the towel every 10 seconds, is to maintain a relatively constant and hot temperature of the hot towel. Avoid letting tap water get into your eyes. Do not wear contact lenses when carrying out hot eyelid massage. Contact lenses must never be worn in the shower or when swimming. The best towels to use are small, thin baby face towels. It is best to do the hot towel massage out of the shower, so that the water can be hot enough.
It is not recommended to roll a cotton bud downwards or upwards on the eyelid as this stretches the delicate thin eyelid skin and can lead to bags around the eyes.
[ video or picture of hot towel massage]
If the skin on your eyelids is dry or affected by eczema, the hot towel can make the skin feel more dry. If this is the case, eye masks which are heated in the microwave are available, or other masks containing hot beads. It is important to try to maintain a constant hot temperature (but not burn the skin on the eyelids), and to gently massage by pushing backwards on your eyelids, to express the oil from the Meibomian oil glands.
Mascara and eyeliner can block the openings of the Meibomian oil glands. It is best to remove mascara and eyeliner with a good quality, plain make up remover each night, and carry out hot eyelid massage to open up the glands. Try to have at least 1 or 2 make-up free days per week.
In some cases where it has not been possible to open the Meibomian oil glands with hot towel massage or other methods, gland expression treatments are available e.g. Lipiflow, MiBoFlo. Following these treatments, it is often necessary to maintain the improvement by daily hot towel eyelid massage.
When the blockage of the Meibomian glands is severe and longstanding, and has caused chronic inflammation and damage to the eyelid margins and eyelashes or is causing recurrent chalazia (cysts), it is often helpful to take a course of oral antibiotics: Doxycycline 100mg/day or Lymecycline 408mg/day. These antibiotics are used in a similar way that dermatologists treat acne. The onset of action is slow and the course of treatment is at least 6 -12 weeks. The oral antibiotics will also clear up facial acne. The antibiotics must not be taken by women intending to fall pregnant. They should be taken in the morning with food, milk or probiotic yoghurt, and must never be taken at bedtime. Oral Azithromycin is an alternative which has been reported to be effective in Meibomian gland dysfunction.
Omega 3 fatty acids are thought to help with dry eye and Meibomian gland dysfunction. Eating oily fish like salmon and sardines can help. There is no large scale evidence that taking omega 3 supplements helps but it has been reported to be effective in some studies.
Dry eye is a long term chronic condition. It is not possible to be cured of dry eye. Dry eye is more common as we get older. By doing effective daily hot eyelid massage, depending on how severe your dry eye condition is, it can be possible to minimise the amount of lubricating eye drops you need to put during the daytime, and mainly only need to put ointment at bedtime.
Your eyes will not become “dependent” on artificial tears. Using artificial tears/gel/ointment when your eyes are dry is like putting moisturising cream onto dry skin. Artificial tears will stop the dryness from damaging the cornea and will improve comfort and vision. Stopping artificial tears in eyes that are dry will not encourage the eye to make tears again; instead, the eyes could become more dry and could develop complications such as a corneal ulcer.
For more information:
Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society (TFOS) www.tearfilm.org/
BritshSjögren’s Syndrome Association www.bssa.uk.net
The Dry Eye Zone is a resource centre for people with severe or chronic dry eye. www.dryeyezone.com
I received the highest level of professional care from Valerie Saw and her team. I have a pre-existing condition, (Blepharitis) so was anxious about surgery. However, not only has Miss Saw corrected my vision, she has also greatly improved the Blepharitis symptoms with medication, which previous ophthalmologist, GP’s and opticians had not diagnosed/treated adequately. The surgery was quick, pain free and extremely professional. Thank you!
Ms Saw and her staff were outstanding and very helpful. Treatment and post-care were easy. I would highly recommend her and this clinic to anyone considering the procedure. Well worth it
From start to finish I felt supported, informed, safe and unpressured. Any concerns were dealt with immediately and I was re-assured at all times. Follow up post op is excellent and more than I had ever expected. Ms Valerie Saw was amazing, so calm, knowledgeable and professional. Moorfields exceeded my expectations and I recommend them to all considering laser surgery. It’s worth spending the extra to know you will have the best.
After many years debating whether to have surgery I eventually booked an appointment with Ms Saw. Valerie and her team explained everything fully, addressed my worries and put me at ease. The procedure was easier than I thought it would be and I only wish I had done it sooner. Thanks to Ms Saw I do not need glasses anymore.
I am thrilled with the results. I researched and contacted a number of London based clinics and surgeons and after contacting Ms Saw’s office I was really impressed with the professional and personalised service that her team offered me. When I met with Ms Saw's office the professional and personalised service continued. I am very active and I hold a PPL and we agreed that LASEK was a better choice for me. During the surgery I was grateful that Ms Saw explained what she was doing at each and every step of the very short procedure. During the follow up and aftercare I found Ms Saw and her team to be easily available to answer any questions. My recovery was very fast, aided by the aftercare, and my PPL Medical certificate was re-issued by a CAA Medical Examiner after 3 months instead of the anticipated 12. I am 100% satisfied with my treatment would recommend Ms Saw to anyone considering laser eye surgery.
I went to a number of eye clinics who all failed to spot my cataracts. Valerie was quick to diagnose and treat my various needs and swiftly achieved great results. If you are worried or in need of advice or quality care I would recommend Valerie.
I could not be happier with my decision to have laser eye surgery to correct short-sightedness/ astigmatism performed by Miss Saw. Miss Saw is professional, calm and reassuring. She talked me through the procedure which took around 10-15 minutes one afternoon. I woke up the next morning and could see without glasses or lenses for the first time in 30 years. A year on I have 20/20 vision, no problems driving at night or otherwise. Brilliant!
I was so afraid of this operation but Ms Saw has a calm and gentle manner which is so reassuring to the patient. Her skills are outstanding – I can’t remember being able to see from early childhood, but because of Ms Saw’s abilities a miracle has occurred and I can see when I open my eyes. I am so grateful to her.
Absolutely delighted with result and service, couldn't be happier!
From start to finish service spot on, Professional, informative and end result
amazing!! I wouldn’t hesitate recommending Ms Valerie Saw and team to Family friends and colleagues.
I am extremely glad I went with Valerie and her team, they were friendly, caring, informative and professional. The surgery was so quick, easy and pain free. I was extremely nervous about the procedure, just the thought made my stomach turn. Valerie and her team made me feel extremely relaxed and explained the procedure clearly to me. The nurses on the day were really helpful and explained all the aftercare drops to me. I still can’t believe I went through with it but so glad I did and would recommend it to anyone and would highly recommend going to Moorfields and having Valerie as your surgeon. Her voice is extremely calming whilst the procedure is taking place.
After being blind as a bat for over 30 years, I finally gave into having laser eye surgery. After researching the issue, I decided on Moorfields as the best option. This has been endorsed by my whole experience from start to finish. Miss Saw and her team were professional, dedicated and supportive through the whole process and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them as the way to go if you're thinking of this treatment. Thanks for giving me my sight back!
Very pleased with the results. The novelty has not worn off yet! Ms Saw is very gentle and calm. I would do it all again in a heartbeat.
Having worn glasses since the age of 8, it was difficult to explain the decision to undergo surgery to correct my vision. However, how glad I am that I went through with it. Valerie was amazing, patiently explaining everything and answering questions, even in the run-up to the surgery date. On the day itself, Valerie and her team made the whole experience calm and stress free and it is astounding that such a life changing result can be achieved so easily, and pain/ stress free. I had the surgery in February and have recently returned from an early summer holiday – no glasses, prescription sunglasses, contact lenses, comfort drops etc. Just my new eyes and a pair of sunglasses! I would thoroughly recommend the amazing Valerie and Moorfields hospital.
I feel I have had life changing eye surgery. No more contacts or glasses. Surgery was painless, a little discomfort for a few weeks after but all good now. I have been delighted with my experience and would recommend Ms Valerie Saw.
As most people would be when thinking about having eye surgery, I was really worried about side effects. however, Ms Saw put all my worries to rest while at the same time being very informative and professional. My visits to the clinic were enjoyable and the people who worked there were really friendly. I had a great outcome with my surgery and would recommend Ms Saw to anybody
While I was initially quite frightened and apprehensive considering eye surgery to correct my short sightedness, I opted to go to Valerie Saw at Moorfields due to the consistency of references I had received about her. This was absolutely the right decision. She worked carefully with me, addressing all my concerns and answering my questions, no matter how unusual! In the end we planned a surgery type that was right for me, and I felt confident on the day that I was being looked after as well as I had ever hoped. Valerie comforted me massively during the surgery, and offered me all sorts of advice and post surgery care as I recovered. I highly recommend her to anyone, and I am very grateful.
I have always considered having laser eye surgery. After using contact lenses and glasses for over 10 years, I decided to go ahead with it. After going online to look at reviews on Moorfields website Ms V Saw had very good feedback. Having had a consultation which was brilliant and answered all my questions, I then decided to proceed with surgery. Obviously going in for the surgery can seem quite daunting but everyone, especially Miss Saw, put me at ease and told me what was happening throughout the procedure. It has been the best thing I have ever done and would do it all over again! Miss Saw was fantastic. I would recommend her to anyone considering Lasik Surgery. Thank you!
As I got older my eyes deteriorated! I had glasses throughout the house, and it irritated me. It even influenced my sports. This operation has given me perfect vision, I could not be happier! Thank you Ms Valerie Saw and the team for the perfect treatment. Highly recommended.
I had lens replacement (IOL, RLE) surgery to fix short-sightedness in Feb/Mar 2013. I’ve had my first annual check up everything is fine. I’m extremely happy with the outcome and would happily recommend this surgery to anyone, especially if you have severe short-sightedness. Valerie Saw is not only highly qualified, but helpful, kind, gentle and patient as well and I highly recommend her to anyone considering this type of surgery.
I wish I’d had the treatment years ago. It’s transformed my life, stripping out a whole layer of stress, anxiety and upset. I was terrified of the procedure and the recovery process for PRK. It was over in moments and in retrospect, neither the treatment or recovery felt like a big deal. I can’t recommend Valerie Saw highly enough. She took time to answer my numerous questions in-depth, face-to-face during consultations as well as over the phone and via email. She put me at ease and she has changed my life for the better, and for this I am eternally grateful.
Had my surgery over a year ago. Currently still no issues and have better than 6/6 or 20/20 vision. Miss Saw was very thorough and that gave me the confidence to go ahead with the surgery. She also explained that if I had any issues after surgery to contact her immediately. That alone gave me confidence I was in good hands. The surgery was quicker than I expected. Before long I suddenly could see with a lot of detail. Also to note Miss Saw is very gentle as well. Best thing I have ever done and better still with such an excellent surgeon.
Valerie Saw carried out cataract surgery on me as a private patient in April of 2011 at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London. I am absolutely delighted with the outcome and can't praise her skills enough.
Ms Saw is an outstanding surgeon. Very clear information and individual attention as I had long standing conjunctivitis and blepharitis as well as myopia. Felt fully prepared for the surgery and extremely confident in her skill. Delighted to wholeheartedly recommend both the procedure and Ms Saw. Can’t believe I didn’t have this done years ago!
By the end of the first consultation, I felt sure I knew what I was entering into. During the surgery, Ms Saw explained the progress the laser was making, and kept me calm. I would highly recommend having the surgery with Valerie Saw, who is calm in speech and professional in approach, essential qualities when dealing with patients looking to make important decisions on issues as sensitive as their sight.
The surgery itself was quick and (literally) painless. I am 3 months down the line and delighted, not only with the result but with the follow up care I received. I highly recommend Valerie and her whole team. I could not have done this without them!
Valerie was highly professional and very competent indeed and the Lasik surgery on my left eye went really well. The procedure was explained very clearly in advance and the procedure itself was quick and painless and has resulted in clear long distance vision in the eye. It all went very well and I can strongly recommend Valerie.
Dr Saw completed my laser eye surgery in November 2016. Her team completed a thorough pre-assessment of my eyes and determined I was suitable for surgery. On the day of the surgery I was walked through the process step-by-step to ensure I was comfortable with what was going to happen, as well as information about how long different things would take.
I’ve had several follow up appointments and have reached out to Dr Saw multiple times with questions, all of which have been responded to promptly. My vision is now better than 20/20.
My wife is also looking to get laser eye surgery and we'll definitely be going back to see Dr Saw!
After 40+ years of glasses/contacts had LASIK about three months ago. Miss Saw and her team were excellent. Friendly, professional and thorough. I understood all aspects of the procedure and could not be happier with the results.
The service provided by Valerie and her team was fantastic and I am very pleased with the results. I would not hesitate to recommend her to any of my friends or family.
Ms Saw is excellent. She is so reassuring about the procedure, explaining good and bad about the surgery. I would strongly recommend her to anyone considering surgery.
Ms Valerie Saw is a friendly and very professional eye surgeon. She is very thorough during the examination. Valerie immediately put me at ease providing just the right amount of information to enable me to make the right decision about having laser eye surgery (after over 45 years of wearing glasses for astigmatism and myopia the idea was a bit scary!) During the surgery when I was quite nervous Valerie was reassuring, efficient and kept me fully informed. After surgery I received complete care and attention. Valerie made sure I understood exactly what I needed to do to take the best care of my eyes. I now have great vision with no glasses at all, even reading a computer screen all day.
I was considering having laser eye surgery on my right eye. I consulted Valerie who diagnosed me with keratoconus. Valerie recommended inserting a Keraring in my eye instead of laser treatment. The results are amazing, 20/20 vision achieved. I cannot thank Valerie enough.
I had a corneal ulcer on my right eye caused by my contact lenses. I was under her care for 3 months whilst the ulcer healed. I received excellent care and so I decided to go back to Ms Saw to discuss the possibility of laser surgery. The final procedure was completely successful. I can now say, June 2014 that I have 20:20 vision in both eyes. It is amazing and I am SO grateful to Ms Saw for her professionalism and care. Despite being an ‘unusual’ case, she was willing to treat me and I hope that my experience will give hope to others in a similar situation. I have no hesitation in recommending Ms Saw and would highly recommend her.
I had spent a lot of time researching LASIK surgery as it was something that I was fearful of having done, even though I really wanted to improve my sight. I could not have chosen a better surgeon than Valerie Saw. Not only did she keep me fully reassured and informed at all time, her manner and personality left me feeling instantly at ease in her care. The treatment itself was not as scary as I had anticipated and either Valerie or her team were always at the other end of the phone if I needed assistance with aftercare. It has been one of the best decisions I have made and I am so pleased that I chose Valerie for my treatment.
Lens replacement surgery in November 2016.
Not needing reading glasses is amazing!
Great level of care. I felt that they really cared at all stages through the consultancy all the way to the surgery and then the aftercare. I was able to call anytime if I had a problem. Perfect vision. I would highly recommend it to anyone considering laser eye surgery.
Extremely pleased with the results from my laser eye surgery with Ms Saw. Perfect vision, better than 20:20. Still marvelling at the view 4 months on. Ms Saw and her team are kind, thorough, professional and provide excellent care and advice. Highly recommend.
I had absolutely no idea of what to expect when I discovered cataracts in my eyes. And I was living abroad. On my first visit, during my initial consultation Valerie explained in very simple but concise terms what to expect and was able to put my mind at ease. She also fully outlined what type of resulting vision to expect including all the main side effects. I came back to London 3 months later and we were able to operate on both eyes, and I left London a week later, fully armed with instructions and eye drops. Due to being abroad I called once just to discuss over the phone how I felt my vision was and to ensure that I was on track. Once again even from afar Valerie was spot on with advice and suggestions. Six months on and I have had my follow up visit. My eye-sight is perfect, the side effects are minimal. I would highly recommend Valerie Saw to anyone considering eye surgery; you can be certain of being in good, professional hands with optimum results.
The initial examination was thorough beyond all previous experience and her advice complete, informative and very reassuring. Taking the plunge I elected to have lasik surgery and the procedure was duly completed without pain in a calm and comforting environment by a scrupulously professional team led by Valerie. Despite the recent surgery there was an immediate and staggering improvement in my vision and within 12 hours I could read newsprint without the aid spectacles. It is now 4 months since the procedure and having undergone 3 equally thorough post operative checks the result continues to improve. I am now free to pursue my passion for wildlife photography and bird watching without the constant annoyance of spectacles hanging around my neck and the only regret is that I didn't have the procedure carried out years ago! If you are in any doubt forget it, make an appointment to see Valerie, put your trust in her abilities and enjoy a life changing experience. Brilliant!
Having a very high prescription most of my life was restricting in everyday life. I waited until I was ready to take the plunge and have the eye surgery (mainly due to confidence and checking to see what would be suitable for my high prescription). Ms Saw has been very helpful and supportive during the whole procedure and we have both been surprised and happy by the results of the surgery
When I first thought about getting my eyes done, I refused to go to the regularly advertised companies as I found them too pushy and unsatisfactory when it came to answering my questions. However, when visiting Ms Saw she immediately put me at ease. My concerns over side effects and dry eyes were put to one side once Ms Saw explained very clearly and in detail what the likely outcome would be and how I would be able to look after my dry eyes. Ms Saw advised me to use a hot compress which worked very well in preparation for the procedure and I continue to use this method. It’s now been two years since I've had the operation and I've got to say I've had minimal pain and discomfort. It's now two years on and despite dry eyes and fear of side effects, I could not be happier with the outcome. My vision is fantastic and it feels wonderful to be able to wake up, watch tv, go for a walk or even look at signs on the tube platforms without using my glasses. Ms Saw's care pre and post operation have been exceptional. If you are in any way apprehensive or nervous, I highly recommend Ms Saw. Quite simply you could not be in better hands!
I found Valerie very informative prior to having my eye implants, the aftercare was first class. I would not hesitate to recommend Valerie to any of my friends who were thinking of having this procedure.
What a lovely lady! What a fantastic surgeon. My husband has only had one good eye since birth, and that was getting worse and worse. He had to wear glasses all the time and it makes things like wearing goggles for skiing and workshop tasks difficult. He went to a couple of laser surgeons to find out if he could have something done to this one eye, but, they wouldn't even consider it in case something went wrong. However, we went to see Miss Saw and she didn't see any problems, she only saw solutions. He now has 20/20 vision in that eye and sees better than he has since his 20's. It was easy, friendly and a comfortable experience for both of us. Can't praise her enough. Wonderful, she has changed his life.
Very satisfied with my treatment. Ms Saw is excellent and the quality of aftercare is fantastic. I would highly recommend treatment here and I am delighted with the results.
Having laser eye surgery was the best decision I have ever made and, given the serious nature of the surgery, I researched the procedure and the best surgeon for me before committing to it. The whole experience was excellent - professional, caring and I was kept completely informed throughout the process.
I had LASIK after suffering from iritis and blepharitis. I was very nervous about the procedure but Ms Saw was very clear in explaining what would happen, which made me feel at ease on the day. My LASIK result was overwhelming with joy that such instant results could change my sight from -6.5 to 20/20. Thank you!
I can’t thank Valerie enough for completely transforming my vision: from -8.50 and virtually no vision without glasses or lenses to perfect vision for both distance and reading. At all stages Valerie provided a totally professional service. The aftercare support was fantastic. I cannot think of a more successful outcome nor a surgeon I could more highly recommend.
Well taken care of. Surgery went very well and aftercare excellent. I have 20/20 vision, the best thing I have ever spent my money on. Would recommend LASIK eye surgery.
"Calm and clear. I was particularly grateful for being able to contact Valerie both pre and post-surgery with questions. The teams both in Valerie’s practice and at Moorfields were friendly, reassuring and approachable. Thank you for taking such good care of my sight!"
Ms Saw and her team are very friendly and professional – they made sure I understood everything beforehand and explained exactly how the procedure would go so I knew what to expect. Ms Saw’s manner is calm and reassuring and I am thrilled with the results.
I highly recommend undertaking laser surgery with Valerie. I had a very high prescription (-8) and was wearing spectacles and then contact lenses since I was 5 years old. I was a bit apprehensive at the start but Valerie was very reassuring from the beginning. I received all the information I wanted allowing me to make my choice. The surgery (in May 2016) didn’t take long at all and the discomfort only lasted a couple of hours. I was provided with a range of drops including anesthetics drops against the pain which were very efficient. After a few hours, I was seeing and my vision settled very quickly after then. I was driving my son to school after 48h. Valerie gave me her mobile number allowing me to call her, anytime (even during the weekend) if I had any concerns. This was really reassuring. She is making herself available for her patients and is very caring. My vision is now perfect, which is an amazing and crazy feeling! Whenever friends mention laser surgery, I encourage them to see Valerie as I know they will be in very safe hands. The clinic facilities at AVC are very clean and modern, as you would expect for private facilities. You are very well looked after all way through.
Brilliant Service. Everyone was kind and helpful. Can now see my golf ball after playing my shot. Highly recommended.
Ms Valerie Saw’s team were very attentive and helpful. I had LASEK surgery which has longer recovery time and is more painful. Ms Saw ensured the pain has kept to a minimum and even came in on a Saturday to check how my eyes were healing! All my questions were answered promptly.
July 2020: Life changing experience (LASIK surgery).
Clear helpful guidance all the way through.
Always went the extra mile to provide reassurance.
Thank you for everything – all the best going forwards.
The treatment was completely successful. Great to be able to drive without glasses and to buy sunglasses without having to get expensive lenses. Wish I’d done it sooner, best money I’ve ever spent!
Extremely pleased with the surgery (January 2016). It is life changing. Valerie was fantastic all the way through, very professional and thorough in her explanations. Surgery was painless and results were already incredible after a few hours. After care support was brilliant. I have been recommending Valerie to my family and friends since then!
After years of suffering with dry eyes and several visits to consultants in the Midlands, I was getting extremely frustrated and losing hope of finding anyone who could understand my problem fully and offer me sound advice with a plan for improvement. I had both Meibomian gland dysfunction and aqueous tear deficiency, with occasional secondary inflammation. Since 2002 I had used a variety of drops and also tried punctal plugs, but had developed infections.
After another search on the Internet and looking at London consultants, I noticed Ms Saw had an amazing CV and had Dry Eye as one of her areas of expertise. My first visit to Valerie in March 2015, instantly gave me the hope I was seeking. She was so understanding, reassuring and kind. Valerie took time to investigate and diagnose my symptoms fully and I came away with a new treatment regime offering various options, as part of a plan for improving my condition in the short and long term. As one of my treatment options, Valerie carried out Cautery of the lower tear ducts and fitting of a punctual plug in one of the upper.
In 2016 my eyes are now far more comfortable and I am slowly reducing medication. I am using a good combination of drops and ointment and continue with a hot massage routine.
I have travelled from Staffordshire for all of my visits and will happily continue to do so, Valerie is unique in my view, and so it is well worth the effort to get the best.
Clearly our rating out of 5 is 6