Dry Eye Therapy

What Is Dry Eye?

Dry eye is a condition in which the eyes aren’t properly lubricated as a result of insufficient or inadequate tears. This is usually due to issues with the oil produced by the meibomian glands.

Tear instability can lead to inflammation and damage to the eye, often leaving your eyes feeling uncomfortable. Dry eye usually occurs as a result of aging, but it can also occur if you spend too long staring at a screen or in a dry, air-conditioned room.

Dry eye treatment may make you more comfortable. These treatments can include lifestyle changes and eye drops. You may need to take these measures indefinitely to control the symptoms of dry eyes.

Book your dry eye evaluation with us today and get relief sooner.

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Ditch Dryness

The first step to getting treatment is to come in for a comprehensive dry eye evaluation. This evaluation is quick, noninvasive, and incredibly useful in finding a treatment that works for you.

Collingwood Optometry and Cwood Eyecare offer many treatments to help you regain comfortable, hydrated eyes.

Scleral Lenses

Scleral contact lenses are larger than regular contact lenses and are designed to cover your sclera (the white of your eye). They leave a small space between the lens and your cornea which acts as a fluid reservoir to trap moisture against the eye and keep it hydrated throughout the day.

Your optometrist can help you choose the best scleral lens for your eye and show you how to use the lenses properly. You can wear your scleral lenses for up to 12 to 14 hours a day and these lenses typically last 1 to 2 years (unless your prescription needs updating). Talk to your optometrist about whether scleral lenses are right for you.

Bruder Moist Heat Eye Compress

The Bruder Moist Heat Eye Compress Mask is a warm compress that helps clear your eyes’ oil glands to allow new, natural oils to flow back onto the eye and alleviate discomfort caused by dry eye. Easy-to-use and effective, the bruder mask can be prescribed by your optometrist for dry eye. To use, microwave for 20 seconds and apply for 10 minutes or as prescribed.

This compress helps stabilize tear film, improve gland function, and slow tear evaporation.

Thealoz Duo

Thealoz Duo medicated eye drops help alleviate dry eye symptoms by reducing inflammation, increasing goblet cell density, and decreasing ocular surface damage caused by dry eye. These drops contain trehalose and hyaluronic acid to provide lasting relief that protects your eyes.

These drops can be used day and night with most contact lenses. Your optometrist can prescribe Thealoz Duo if it’s a good fit for your needs and ocular health.

Lid Wipes

Eyelid wipes help keep your eyelashes and eyelids clean and prevent bacteria from entering the eye. These wipes also help soothe symptoms of dry eye and promote proper ocular hygiene. Talk to your optometrist about eyelid wipes that could work for you.

Debridement & Expression

At Collingwood Optometry and Cwood Eyecare, we can perform lid debridement and meibomian gland expression. This is performed during your appointment.

The meibomian glands are located along the edge of the eyelids, making proper debridement and expression effective in removing bacteria, dead skin cells, and debris while also encouraging fresh oil to coat the eye.

These treatments should be performed on a regular basis for the best results. Talk to your optometrist to see if debridement and expression are right for you.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy helps alleviate dry eye symptoms by applying light pulses to gently heat tissue around the eye. The heat melts oils clogged in the oil-producing meibomian glands (eyelid tear glands). The oils help maintain the eye’s surface moisture. IPL also reduces bacteria and inflammation caused by an overpopulation of demodex mites.

The noninvasive in-office treatment is typically started in a series of 4 treatments spaced 2-4 weeks apart along with maintenance treatments every 6-12 months following.

This treatment is available at our Cwood Eyecare location.

Radiofrequency (RF)

Radiofrequency (RF) treatment distributes a high-frequency electrical current to safely and gently warm tissue around the eye. The heat melts oil clogged in eyelid glands (meibomian glands) and delivers consistent, careful pressure to help the oil flow freely. The oil improves tear quality, so moisture lasts longer.

RF treatment also promotes collagen growth, a protein necessary for regenerating cells in the skin and eyes. As a result, RF treatment can help restore a more youthful appearance and alleviate dry eye symptoms.

This treatment is available at our Cwood Eyecare location.

ZEST

Zocular eyelid system treatment (ZEST) is an eyelid exfoliation treatment performed in-office—like a deep clean for the eyelids. The system uses a gentle, microsponge applicator to remove excess cells and bacteria along the eyelids, helping to open clogged tear glands and reduce inflammation.

Keeping the eyelid glands (meibomian glands) clear and clean allows improved oil to flow. The oils in the tear film are essential for maintaining moisture. The procedure may be performed every few months (depending on eyelid condition) for effective dry eye relief.

This treatment is available at our Cwood Eyecare and Collingwood Optometry locations.