“Relief, clarity and long-term comfort through specialist dry eye assessment and tailored treatment.”
Understanding Dry Eye
Dry eye disease is a common, often chronic condition affecting the surface of the eye.
The surface of the eye is covered by a thin layer of tears called the tear film. This layer helps wash, protect, nourish, and lubricate the eye.
Blinking keeps the tear film healthy by spreading fresh tears and oils across the eye.
If the tear system does not work properly, the quality or amount of tears can decrease, which may lead to dry eye disease.
Diagram showing the 3 Layers of the Tear Film.
Dry eye disease may cause:
- Burning or gritty eyes
- Redness or irritation
- Watery eyes
- Fluctuating vision
- Discomfort with screens or contact lenses
Dry eye is often chronic and multifactorial. It is seen often as we age, especially women in peri- or post-menopause. Contact lens wearers and computer users are commonly affected.
Artificial tears alone do not always address the underlying cause. Our specialist dry eye service is designed to identify why your eyes are uncomfortable and to provide a personalised, long-term management plan.
Take the Dry Eye Questionnaire to get an idea of the level of your Dry Eye.
Specialist Dry Eye Assessment
Specialist Dry Eye Assessment – £95
Our comprehensive dry eye consultation includes:
- A detailed review of your symptoms, concerns, medical history and overall health.
- Completion of a dry eye questionnaire to assess the impact on your daily comfort.
- Detailed examination of the eyelids, tear film and ocular surface using a slit lamp microscope, with specialised diagnostic dyes.
- Advanced dry eye assessment using imaging and diagnostic technology, providing seven key clinical indicators.
- Clear explanation of findings, including identification of the type of dry eye present
- A personalised management plan developed in partnership with you, including:
- Home-based care.
- In-clinic treatments.
- Holistic lifestyle recommendations.
You will receive a clear summary of your results and a tailored plan to support long-term eye comfort and ocular surface health.
Initial Treatment
Available on the day – starts from £35
An in-clinic treatment focusing on improving eyelid hygiene, reducing bacterial load and inflammation, and restoring healthy function of the eyelid glands to support a stable tear film and long-term ocular comfort. Please see below for details on NuLids Pro (+£35) and ZEST (+£95).
Ongoing In-Clinic Treatments
Follow up examination (£50) and treatment
Targeted treatment to cleanse the eyelids, reduce inflammation and improve tear quality. It works much like a hygienist appointment for your teeth, providing a deeper level of cleaning than routine home care. For best results, it is typically recommended every six months.
- Examination and review of symptoms and discussion of concerns
- Gentle micro-exfoliation using NuLids Pro or ZEST
- Removal of biofilm, debris and bacteria
- Therapeutic heat and clinician-performed gland expression
- Supports healthy meibomian gland function and tear quality
NuLids Pro treatment – £35 (plus £50 examination fee)
An oscillating, soft, antibacterial tip is moved along the eyelids, to provide complete and precise elimination of the blepharitis crusting and bacteria found along the eyelids. The meibomian glands are also massaged, allowing the oils to flow more freely and the all-natural gel soothes and hydrates, whilst promoting healing.
ZEST treatment – £95 (plus £50 examination fee)
Zocular Eyelid System Technology (ZEST) is an advanced exfoliation technique that uses activated natural Okra polysaccharide to provide immediate and long-lasting relief from blepharitis, by deep cleaning the eyelids and significantly reducing inflammation. It is gentle and effective, even in demodex-related cases, leaving your eyelids feeling soothed and less-inflamed.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
£800 – Complete course of treatments
(3 treatments: one every 2 weeks, with complementary 4th treatment if required)
- Controlled pulses of light applied to the skin around the eyes target inflammation at its source
- Evidence-based treatment for meibomian gland dysfunction, blepharitis and ocular rosacea
- Targets and reduces inflammation and abnormal blood vessels
- Improves quality and flow of natural oils so the tear film is more stable
- Antimicrobial and anti-demodex effects for persistent dry eye
- Long-term solution for the primary cause of dry eye (annual top-up treatment recommended)
Why it matters:
- Treats root causes, not just symptoms, to truly give long lasting results
- Many patients experience improved comfort, clearer vision, and reduced reliance on artificial tears
IPL is suitable for most patients but there are some exception, please click here to check.
Book Your Dry Eye Assessment
Dry eye is often chronic and multifactorial, meaning there may be several contributing causes such as eyelid inflammation, meibomian gland dysfunction, environmental factors, medical conditions or medications. Identifying the underlying cause allows targeted treatment rather than relying on eye drops alone.
If you are experiencing ongoing discomfort, irritation, or fluctuating vision, our specialist dry eye service can help.
Contact Cargills Optometrists Folkestone to book your assessment today.
Dry Eye Services are available at our Folkestone branch only.
You can book your dry eye assessment by contacting Cargills Optometrists Folkestone directly by phone (01303 254471), email (dryeye@cargillsopticians.co.uk).
Cargills Optometrists
122 Sandgate Road
Folkestone
CT20 2BW
Telephone: 01303 254471
Email: dryeye@cargillsopticians.co.uk
# Clinics beginning in Spring 2026 #
Pricing and fees
Initial assessment £95
Follow up examination £50
NuLids Pro treatment £35 (only as part of an examination)
ZEST treatment £95 (only as part of an examination)
IPL £800 for a course of treatments
