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On this page we have gathered answers to questions that often come up before a visit to the Dry Eye Clinic in Haifa: do you need a referral, what happens at the first visit, which treatments are available, does it hurt, and how to book. The clinic is at 10 Marconi St., Haifa, and visits are by appointment only. If you have not found an answer to your question here, you can ask it when you contact us to book.
Who the clinic is for
The people who come to the clinic are mainly those whose eyes have been dry, burning or painful for a long time, and for whom drops and compresses are no longer enough. Some come with a referral from their eye doctor, and some contact us themselves. People also come with general conditions that affect the eyes, such as Sjögren's syndrome or rheumatic diseases, and people whose dryness started after eye surgery.
Before you come
You do not need a referral to book an appointment, but if you have a referral, visit summaries or results of previous tests, it is worth bringing them. They help us understand what has already been checked and what you have already tried. A list of all the drops and medicines you take is just as important, because some medicines affect the tears.
If you wear contact lenses or use drops, follow the instructions you receive when you book your appointment. You will find an organised, step-by-step preparation checklist on the preparing for your visit page.
The first visit
The first visit aims to understand what is causing your symptoms. Dry eye is not a single disease: some people lack tears, in others the tears evaporate too quickly because of a problem with the meibomian glands (the oil glands in the eyelid margins), and some have inflammation of the eyelid margins or a combination of several causes. So the visit includes a conversation, a short symptom questionnaire and dry eye testing.
At the end of the visit you will receive an explanation of the findings and a personal treatment plan. A detailed description of how the appointment goes is on the dry eye consultation page.
Testing and treatments at the clinic
The clinic does dry eye testing and offers six treatments. Each treatment suits a different mechanism of dry eye:
- Dry eye testing: the basis of every treatment plan.
- IPL treatment: broad-spectrum pulsed light (not a laser) for blocked meibomian glands and redness of the eyelid margins.
- Meibomian gland expression: gentle emptying of the glands after warming.
- BlephEx treatment: thorough cleaning of the eyelid margins in blepharitis and Demodex.
- Punctal plugs: keeping tears on the surface of the eye for longer.
- Autologous serum eye drops: drops prepared from the patient's own blood, for severe dryness.
- Bandage contact lens: a soft lens that protects the cornea like a bandage, in selected cases.
Not every treatment suits everyone, and the choice is made only after an examination. In most cases in-clinic treatment is combined with daily care at home, such as warming and cleaning the eyelids and suitable drops. Alongside this, the eye doctor may prescribe drops or other medicines as needed. An overview of all the options is on the dry eye treatments page.
Follow-up, cost and booking
Dry eye is usually a long-term condition, so the first visit is normally the start of a process. At follow-up visits we check whether the symptoms and findings have improved, and adjust the plan. The cost is set and discussed at the consultation, according to the treatment that suits you.
To book an appointment, contact us on WhatsApp or fill in the form on this page, and we will get back to you to arrange a time and give you the instructions for the visit. If you need accessibility arrangements, please let us know at this stage.
When to see a doctor straight away: the clinic is not intended for urgent conditions. Severe eye pain, a sudden drop in vision, a very red eye with sensitivity to light, or an eye injury or a chemical getting into the eye need a visit to an eye emergency department.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a referral from an eye doctor?
It is not required. If you have a referral, a visit summary or results of previous tests, please bring them, as they help us understand the picture.
What does the first visit include?
A conversation about your symptoms and the treatments you have tried, a short symptom questionnaire, dry eye testing, and at the end an explanation of the findings and a personal treatment plan. Details are on the dry eye consultation page.
Will I get treatment at the first visit?
The first visit is mainly for examination and building a plan. Sometimes treatment can start at the same visit, and sometimes a separate appointment is made for it. This depends on the findings and on the treatment that suits you.
Which tests and treatments are available at the clinic?
Dry eye testing at the clinic, and six treatments: IPL treatment, meibomian gland expression, BlephEx treatment, punctal plugs, autologous serum eye drops and a bandage contact lens. Not every treatment suits everyone, and the choice is made after an examination.
How many visits or treatments will I need?
It varies from person to person. Some people only need a visit and a change in their home care, while others need a course of in-clinic treatments and longer follow-up. At the end of the first visit you will receive an estimate that fits your situation.
Are the treatments painful?
Most of the tests and treatments are not painful. Some, such as meibomian gland expression, can be uncomfortable for a short time. Before the treatment you will receive an explanation of what is going to happen and of what can be done to make it easier.
Can I go back to work after a treatment?
After most in-clinic treatments you can usually return to your routine the same day, sometimes with mild redness that passes. If there are special instructions for a particular treatment, you will receive them in advance.
Can I drive after the visit?
Dry eye tests do not usually include drops to dilate the pupils. If pupil dilation or a treatment that affects your vision is needed after all, you will be told, and it is worth arranging a lift.
I wear contact lenses. What should I do before the visit?
Follow the instructions you receive when you book your appointment. Contact lenses affect some of the tests, so it is important to know in advance what to do.
Will I be able to keep wearing contact lenses after treatment?
For many people this is possible, sometimes after adjustments, such as a shorter wearing time or a different type of lens. This is checked and discussed at the visit, according to the condition of the eye surface.
How much does it cost?
The cost is set and discussed at the consultation, according to the treatment that suits you.
Is the treatment covered?
Questions about cost and coverage can be clarified at the consultation. Details about the consultation are on the dry eye consultation page.
How do I book an appointment?
Visits to the clinic are by appointment only. You can contact us on WhatsApp or leave your details in the form on this page, and we will get back to you to arrange a time.
I need accessibility arrangements. Who should I contact?
Let us know when you book your appointment, so that we can prepare in advance and adapt the visit to your needs.
Home care not enough? We can look into it.
At the dry eye clinic in Haifa we find out what is causing the dryness and build a personal treatment plan.
The information on this site is general only. It is not medical advice and does not replace an examination by an eye doctor.