Dry Eye Therapy

What Is Dry Eye?

Dry eye is a chronic condition where your eyes don’t produce enough tears to keep them lubricated or your tear film is not able to remain stable on your eye. While there are quite a few causes of dry eye symptoms, the dry Alberta weather is a common culprit among our patients.

Dry eye is not typically a serious condition, but if left untreated, it can cause damage to the eye and make wearing contact lenses more difficult. We offer a range of dry eye treatments at our Red Deer South office, including IPL therapy, low-level light therapy, meibomian gland expression, and more. After performing an eye exam, we can create an appropriate treatment plan for your needs.

Book an appointment with us today to get started with dry eye therapy.

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Dry Eye Symptoms

People with dry eyes often experience some of the following symptoms:

Feeling like there’s something in your eye
Burning or stinging sensations
Light sensitivity
Blurred vision
Red eyes
Watery eyes

Dry eye symptoms can be quite a nuisance, but with the right treatment, you can manage them, reduce their severity, and avoid them.

Finding the Right Treatment for Your Dry Eyes

There are many effective methods for treating dry eye. As part of our personalized approach to eye care, we will work closely with you to get a well-rounded overview of your dry eye symptoms and what may be causing them.

After getting to know you, understanding your symptoms, and performing a thorough screening, we can recommend a suitable treatment.

Dry Eye Diagnostics

At Doctors EyeCare Red Deer & Sylvan Lake, all our patients experiencing dry eyes can undergo thorough screenings at our Red Deer South location. With our suite of reliable technologies, we can determine the root cause of dry eye issues.

The diagnostic technology and techniques we use include:

Meibography: We perform meibography to assess the health of your oil-producing (meibomian) glands using a device called the OCULUS Keratograph 5M.
Automated & Subjective Tear Breakup Time Testing: TBUT testing evaluates the stability of your tear film to determine whether there are abnormalities that may be causing your dry eye symptoms.
Schrimer’s Test: This test measures the amount of tears produced within a certain period to determine if you have inadequate tear production.

The Connection Between Dry Eye & MGD

Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is a common cause of dry eye and happens when the oil-producing glands in your eyelids don’t produce enough oil to stop your tears from evaporating too quickly. In many cases, those glands become clogged with solidified oil or debris, preventing fresh oil from reaching the surface of your eye.

A common way to treat this condition is to heat the eyelids and gently press on them to squeeze the oil out.

Who Can Be Affected by Dry Eyes?

Dry eye can affect anyone, but adults over 50 can have a higher risk of developing dry eyes. This is because tear production can decrease as you age.

Dry eye symptoms can also be more common for some women, particularly those who are on birth control, pregnant, or going through menopause. Hormonal changes common in those scenarios can lead to reduced tear production and increased dry eye symptoms.

Dry Eye Treatments

At our practice, we offer a variety of treatment options for dry eyes. Whether your oil glands are clogged with debris or you’re experiencing low tear production, we can help.

Our treatments are aimed at addressing your dry eye symptoms at the root cause to help you experience long-lasting relief.

LLLT (Low-Level Light Therapy)

Low-level light therapy delivers wavelengths of light through a face mask to your eyes. The purpose of this treatment is to stimulate oil production from your tear glands and help you maintain an adequate level of moisture on the surface of your eyes.

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) Therapy

Intense pulsed light therapy involves using a handheld device to deliver gentle light pulses over the eyelids. This light energy can heat and break down trapped oils in your meibomian glands. Multiple treatments are typically needed for lasting results.

Meibomian Gland Expression

Meibomian gland expression involves using a tiny paddle-like instrument to press against the eyelids and squeeze out oil from the meibomian glands. It can be paired with other treatments that help melt and release trapped oils.

Eye Drops & Omega-3s

Omega-3 supplements can be beneficial in alleviating dry eye by helping improve tear production. Eye drops may also be recommended or prescribed to lubricate the eyes, reduce inflammation, and help you manage dry eye symptoms as needed.

Get Dry Eye Relief

If you’re struggling with bothersome dry eye symptoms, book an appointment at our Red Deer South location. We are ready to provide personalized care for your specific symptoms.

Request Appointment