Dry Eye Therapy in Edmonton

Take Control of Your Eye Comfort

Dry eyes can leave your eyes feeling irritated, uncomfortable, and craving relief. With our team’s help, you can find solutions to help you reclaim your eye comfort so you can get back to focusing on the things that matter most to you.

Start your dry eye treatment Edmonton today by booking your appointment! Our team is ready to help find the clear, comfortable vision you deserve.

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What Are Dry Eyes?

Types of Dry Eye

There are 2 subtypes of dry eyes: evaporative dry eye, which causes tears to evaporate too quickly, or aqueous tear deficiency, which causes poor-quality or insufficient tear production. The cause of your symptoms determines the type of dry eyes you may experience.

These issues affect the quality of your tear film, which is responsible for keeping your eyes hydrated, comfortable, and healthy.

Understanding Your Tear Film

Your tear film is made up of 3 distinct layers, each with its own vital role to play in your eye comfort. These layers include:

The mucous layer is the innermost layer responsible for keeping your tear film adhered to your eyes and spread evenly across the eye’s surface.
The aqueous layer is the middle layer responsible for keeping your eyes hydrated. Your lacrimal glands produce the water needed for this layer.
The oil/lipid layer is the outermost layer responsible for sealing in the rest of the tear film, preventing it from evaporating. These oils are produced from your meibomian glands.

What Is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction?

Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is one of the most common causes of dry eyes and is a huge focus for many optometrists and dry eye specialists worldwide.

MGD occurs when a blockage forms in your meibomian glands, preventing them from producing the oils your tear film needs to stay stable. As a result, your tear film evaporates, leading to dry eye symptoms. In some cases, MGD may lead to a condition known as blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelid).

As with many eye conditions and diseases, the risk of developing MGD increases with age. However, other factors, like wearing makeup or a family history of the condition, could also increase your risk.

We use the latest technology, including LipiScan, to assess your meibomian glands’ health and determine a treatment plan right for you and your needs.

Causes & Symptoms of Dry Eyes

Causes

Dry eyes can occur for various reasons, including:

Aging
Allergies
Eye conditions like meibomian gland dysfunction and blepharitis
Health conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disease, Sjögren’s syndrome, lupus
Windy, smokey, or dry air
Reduced blinking
Medications, poorly fitted contact lenses, and laser eye surgery

Symptoms

Dry eyes can cause:

Stinging, burning, or gritty sensations on the surface of your eye
Redness, wateriness, and irritation
Light sensitivity
Blurry vision
Difficulty wearing contact lenses
Eyestrain
Stringy mucus in or around your eyes

Dry Eye Treatment Types

Blephex Treatment

If you’re struggling with blepharitis or meibomian gland dysfunction, Blephex may be right for you! During this dry eye treatment, our eye doctor cleans the margins of your eyelid using a spinning micro-sponge, clearing away blockages in your meibomian glands. This process can help the healthy flow of oils back to your tear film, protecting it from evaporating.

LipiFlow Treatment

LipiFlow is a special device that releases blockages in your meibomian glands. Using sterile activators that are placed on your eyelid, the device produces heat and gentle pressure to help meibomian glands produce the oils your tear film needs.

Intense Pulsed Light Therapy

Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy is another device that helps clear blockages from your meibomian glands. During this dry eye treatment, your eye doctor uses the IPL device to target your meibomian glands with specific energy wavelengths to melt blockages.

LipiScan

LipiScan provides dynamic meibomian imaging quickly and accurately, helping to ensure a comfortable experience for our valued patients.

Low Light Level Therapy (LLLT)

Low Light Level Therapy (LLLT) is a non-invasive technique that uses a warming effect to treat symptoms of dry eye.

ZEST

Zest (Zocular Eyelid System Treatment) involves gentle but deep exfoliation of the eyelids, removing debris and allowing the meibomian oil glands to produce oils necessary for healthy tear film.

Comfortable Eyes Are Only an Appointment Away!

If you’re tired of trying to keep dry eyes from affecting your life on your own, we can help! Contact our team to book an appointment and start your Dry Eye Treatment in Edmonton today!

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