Summerland Optometry has a customized approach to diagnosing and treating dry eye disease with both in office procedures and at home treatment options.
Traditionally, we’ve provided many at home treatment options for our patients including; preservative free lubricating eye drops, warm compresses, prescription eye drops, eyelid cleaners, omega 3 fatty acids, and hypochlorous sprays. Many people find great relief from these options, but unfortunately, for many patients, these traditional treatments are not enough to alleviate their symptoms.
Fortunately, there are new treatments available. Our newest in office procedures include IPL (Intense-Pulse Light), RF (RadioFrequency) and BlephEx Lid Exfoliation.
TAKE THE DRY EYE QUIZ CONTACT US FOR MORE DETAILS
Dry eye disease is a common condition that occurs when your eyes aren’t producing enough lubrication to keep them moist and comfortable. If left untreated for long periods of time it can cause damage to the eyes and cause vision problems. The goal of our optometrists is to properly diagnose and treat your dry eye before this happens.
There are four main causes of dry eye disease: meibomian gland dysfunction (most common), insufficient tear production, corneal compromise, blepharitis and demodex and ocular rosacea.
Regardless of why your eyes are dry, the results are the same: discomfort, irritation, stinging or burning, red or watery eyes, sensitivity to light and discomfort while wearing contact lenses.
Dry eye disease is a multifactorial dysfunction of the ocular surface characterized by a loss of homeostasis of the tear film. With a series of targeted diagnostic tests and a careful case history, we can better determine the cause(s) of your dry eye.
Our dry eye assessment includes:
After completing our Dry Eye Assessment, our team will work with you to find an individual treatment plan to help improve your symptoms and comfort.
Traditionally, we’ve provided many at home treatment options for our patients including: preservative free lubricating eye drops, warm compresses, prescription eye drops, eyelid cleaners, omega 3 fatty acid supplementation, and hypochlorous sprays.
For many patients, these traditional treatments are not sufficient to alleviate their symptoms. Our doctors have extensive training and are passionate about staying current with innovated technology and the best treatments available.
Fortunately, more advanced technology exists and we are excited to provide dry eye therapy from InMode to our patients – Forma-I Radiofrequency (RF) and Lumecca Intense pulse light (IPL). These are non-invasive, efficient and effective treatments using state of the art technology.
MODE Lumecca Intense Pulse Light (IPL) treatment works to control inflammation. IPL treats ocular rosacea, meibomian gland dysfunction, and inflammatory dry eye. IPL delivers high intensity light to the skin which is used by dermatologists to treat pigmented and vascular lesions.
For our dry eye patients, we use a custom designed handpiece which allows us to treat around the eyelids. When IPL is used around the eyelids, it directly targets the small blood vessels of the eyelids which are causing chronic inflammation. It has also been shown to decrease demodex and bacteria load on the eyelids. This increases the function of the meibomian glands, thereby leading to better oil production and a reduction in dry eye symptoms.
The benefits of IPL: reduction in age spots, reduced freckles, reduced sunspots, reduction in small blood vessels on the face ‘spider veins” commonly seen in rosacea and reduction in dry eye symptoms, targeting the inflammatory component of dry eye.
It has been approved by Health Canada as a safe effective treatment for blepharitis, ocular rosacea and dry eyes.
See Lumecca in Animation
Radio frequency (RF) is a non-invasive skin treatment that has been used in dermatology for decades.
It delivers targeted heat to the deeper layers of the skin. This reduces fine lines and wrinkles and stimulates new collagen and elastin production. Improving the skins overall appearance. For our dry eye patients we treat both the upper and lower eyelids. RF delivers targeted heat to the meibomian glands which melts away any blockages and greatly enhances their function. Poorly functioning meibomian glands are one of the biggest causes of dry eye disease.
The main benefits of RF are: safely heating meibomian glands for expressions, tightening existing collagen at the dermal level and stimulating the production of NEW collagen in the deeper dermis.
The Forma Eye has also been approved by Health Canada as a safe and clinically proven treatment for dry eye.
See Forma-I in Animation
Zest is an eyelid and eyelash deep gentle cleansing and exfoliating treatment that lifts and clears oils, debris, and bacteria biofilm from your eyelid margins (like a deep shampoo for your eyelids).
It also helps to calm and soothe inflammation caused by dry eye and blepharitis. The zest treatment is done by one of our ocular hygienists. During the ZEST dry eye treatment, we will first put on a warm eye mask for a few minutes while listening to relaxing music. Next an okra-infused gel is applied using a sterile cotton tip applicator to gently exfoliate the eyelid margin to remove debris and biofilm (bacteria and demodex). The procedure is painless and is similar to going to the dentist for a dental cleaning to remove plaque off your teeth. After the procedure, the biofilm, similar to plaque, can still build up on your eyelids and eyelashes. We recommend ongoing lid hygiene at home and periodic zest treatments every 6 months. “
BlephEx Treatment is a painless in-office procedure that cleans the eyelid.
It uses a spinning medical grade micro-sponge along the edge of your eyelids and lashes, removing scurf and debris and exfoliating your eyelids. It will commonly be added to your treatment plan if there is a bacterial or demodex mite infestation of your eyelids. It also does a great job of cleaning the meibomian gland openings, allowing the meibum (oil) to flow freely.
Demodex are tiny mites that commonly reside in our hair follicles and sebaceous glands.
The cause of chronic blepharitis can sometimes be secondary to a Demodex infestation of the eyelid follicles. Your optometrist will be able tell by examining your eyelashes if there is an overpopulation of the demodex mites.
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Summerland Optometry's head office.
Address:
13225 N Victoria Road
Summerland, BC
V0H 1Z0;
Tel: 250 494-9266.
Summerland Optometry
13225 N Victoria Road
Summerland, BC
V0H 1Z0
Tel: 250 494-9266
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