About Us

About Us​

Dry Eye Wales: Restoring Comfort and Clarity

At Dry Eye Wales, we understand the profound impact that dry eye disease can have on one’s quality of life. Born out of a clear and pressing need, our mission is to bring relief and long-term support to those suffering from the challenges of this condition.

For nearly a decade, our founders, Jackie and Lynne, have been running and continuously developing dry eye clinics at our opticians, The Optical People. Through this hands-on experience, they have witnessed first-hand the struggles that patients face, from persistent discomfort and impaired vision to the emotional toll of living with a chronic eye condition. This has only reinforced the importance of our specialised, focused service.

During our 2022 expansion project, we implemented an even more comprehensive dry eye programme and dedicated dry eye suite at The Optical People. The popularity of this service, coupled with feedback from patients who wished they had known about our offerings sooner, inspired the creation of Dry Eye Wales.

Our Approach: Comprehensive and Proactive

Dry Eye Wales is designed to reach and support as many people as possible. We have created more accessible online platforms and a dedicated referral pathway from other practitioners, while further specialising our in-practice services.

Our aim is to alleviate discomfort and prevent future issues. We strive to help as many people as possible manage the symptoms and signs of dry eye, with a special focus on enhancing quality of life and preventing complications.

Dry eye can disrupt day-to-day activities, from reading and working to simply enjoying time with family and friends. For patients experiencing severe symptoms, we work tirelessly to restore comfort and reduce the impact of dry eye on their lives. For those with milder symptoms, we aim to proactively address their condition.

By identifying and treating dry eye early, we help patients avoid future risks, such as eye infections, corneal damage, or vision impairment. This proactive approach ensures that even mild cases are managed with a preventative mindset, protecting the eyes’ health and visual clarity in the long term.

Ongoing Care: The Key to Lasting Relief

What sets us apart is our method of ongoing care, rather than a “one-time fix” approach. We understand that dry eye is a chronic condition, and we educate our patients from the start that it is not curable. However, we have created an affordable, ongoing care package that allows us to keep in touch with patients regularly, prevent regression of the disease, and maintain their quality of life.

At Dry Eye Wales, we are committed to providing the highest level of care and support to our patients. By combining our expertise, compassion, and proactive approach, we strive to restore comfort, clarity, and peace of mind to those living with dry eye disease.

Specialist Team

We specialise in Dry Eye
Management.

Dry Eye Suite

Specialist Dry Eye Suite, providing
maximum comfort during treatment.

Dry Eye Eyeplan

Dry Eye Eyeplan Subscriptions
available.

Our Team

At Dry Eye Wales, all optometrists are equally involved in advancing dry eye care and treatments, regularly meeting to discuss the latest techniques and developments. We ensure that when one of us learns about diagnostic tool or treatment technique, the entire team is uplifted, enabling us to deliver top-quality dry eye clinics with consistency and for optimal patient results. Each member has undertaken specialist workshops, additional training, and continuous professional development, resulting in a strong commitment to the dry eye field, driven by the satisfaction of helping patients.

Jaclyn Pugh

BSc (Hons) Optometry MCOptom DipTp(IP) Director and Independent Prescribing Optometrist 

Jackie is our director and an independent prescribing optometrist who has recently stepped back from having her own clinics due to managing the rapidly growing practice. With a focus on developing The Optical People and Dry Eye Wales and supporting all staff, she hopes to return to a more patient-facing role in the future. Currently, Jackie supervises our pre registration optometrists, supports all optometrists, especially in managing complex cases, and covers emergency clinics. She is particularly passionate about myopia management and dry eye care, including presenting to other optometrists on the subjects. Outside of work, Jackie enjoys hitting the gym and traveling, especially to her home country, Antigua.

Lynne Evans

Lynne Evans

FBDO Director and Dispensing Optician

Lynne is our dedicated Director and Dispensing Optician, renowned for her expertise in personalised lenses and bespoke frames. With a strong passion for advancing the clinical side of optometry, she is trained in IRPL treatment and has completed extensive dry eye training, aligning her skills with those of optometrists. Lynne is committed to expanding the scope of practice for dispensing opticians, fostering a collaborative environment with her optometrist colleagues. Her vision is to transform our clinic into a destination practice, where exceptional eye care and tailored solutions meet, ensuring every patient receives the highest standard of service and care. Outside of work, Lynne is passionate about running, lifting heavy things, and her gorgeous pup Barney who features on our socials!

Alison Manning

Alison Manning

BSc (Hons) Optometry MCOptom, Optometrist

Alison is a dedicated optometrist who brings her passion for eye health and education to the forefront of her work. Bringing together a professional certificate in glaucoma and a passion for education, she expertly supervises optometry students at the University of the West of England, as well as supervising our pre-registration optometrist, Cameron. Alison combines her clinical expertise with a nurturing and insightful approach. This enables her to not only develop future optometrists, but also deliver personalised care to all of her patients. Beyond her professional role she channels her creativity into sewing and designing clothes; crafting unique garments for herself and her two children. Alison also enjoys attending festivals, camping, and all that Wye Valley living has to offer.

Ryan Holder

Ryan Holder

BSc (Hons) Optometry MCOptom DipTp(IP), Independent Prescribing Optometrist

Ryan is an experienced Optometrist specialising in therapeutic prescribing and dry eye. Known for his exceptional attention to detail, he takes a thorough and personalised approach to each patient, ensuring the best possible care and outcomes. With his Independent Prescribing qualification, Ryan treats a wide range of eye conditions in the community, making care far more accessible for patients and easing strain on hospital services. Outside of his professional life, Ryan enjoys travelling, hiking and karting. He is also an avid reader and skilled musician, playing both guitar and drums.

Zara Nosratpour

Zara Nosratpour

BSc (Hons) Optometry MCOptom Prof Cert Med Ret Prof Cert Glauc, Optometrist 

Zara has been an integral part of the team since starting her career. She completed her pre-registration year in 2020 under Jackie’s guidance. Zara is known for her deep clinical passion. She quickly specialised by earning Medical Retina and Glaucoma certificates. Zara’s rapport with children is unmatched; she often plays music, shares stickers, and engages them with books to ensure a positive exam experience. As the practice lead for the Neighbourhood Care Network (NCN) Zara fosters collaboration with nurses, pharmacists, and GPs to improve patient care. Off duty, she loves doting on her two bunnies, going to the gym and exploring her artistic side through ever-changing hobbies.

Cristina Larner

Cristina Larner

BSc (Hons) Optometry MCOptom Prof Cert Med Ret Prof Cert Low Vision, Optometrist

Cristina is our most experienced optometrist, specialising in medical retina and low vision services. Known for her eye for fashion and style, she provides excellent advice on frame selection to ensure her patients look their best. With a strong passion for complex contact lens fitting and dry eye management, she is dedicated to delivering optimal patient care for those who need it most. Outside of work, Cristina enjoys spending time with her family, including her two daughters. She also has a knack for cocktail making (and tasting) and loves embarking on adventures across the country, embracing every opportunity for exploration and fun.

sarah photo

Sarah Butterworth

Optometrist

Sarah is a specialist optometrist with experience in various roles, including currently working at Gloucester Hospital and The College of Optometrists. She has completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Optometry as well as earning her professional certification in both medical retina and glaucoma. In the hospital eye service Sarah specialises in medical retina (macular degeneration and diabetes especially) and paediatric clinics, focusing on children with complex eye conditions and special needs. In April 2023, her article “Making Sense of the Macula” was published in Optometry Today, coinciding with the birth of her daughter. Outside of work, she enjoys crochet, swimming, and spending time with her toddler, while also advocating for Pregnancy Sickness Support and running a photography business, Dandelion and Rose Photography.

What Our Patients Say About Us

Emma M.

I would like to say a big thank you to The Optical People for giving me back my quality of life....Read more

Attia T.
I have been having dry eye assessments for 2 years, and my eyes feel so much better....Read more
Celia B.

Some common , current perceptions about healthcare, in general, focus on availability and quality....Read more

Deborah H.
I am just sending a quick note of thanks to The Optical People and especially Jackie Pugh,....Read more

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