We've recently added TriPollar Radio Frequency and Neurolens to our collection of advanced technology to combat dry eyes.

Dry Eye Treatment

Dry eye is a multifactorial disease impacting the tears of your eyes. Although commonly called dry eye, the more appropriate term is ocular surface disease. OSD contributing factors include an unstable tear film, medications, hormones, decrease meibum production from blocked glands, insufficient aqueous production, bacteria build up on the eyelid, and inflammation in the eye. The symptoms of dry eye—including dryness, scratchiness and burning—can usually be successfully managed.

Our office in Kelowna provides hyperosmolarity testing, which is the one of the most important tests for determining the underlying cause of OSD. This test is fast, easy, and accurate. Call our office to book an appointment.

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Dry Eye Diagnosis

There are 3 main tests we can conduct to determine the status and severity of your OSD. The first is an affordable method known as hyperosmolarity testing. One of the first signs of tear film dysfunction is an increase of the molecules-to-liquid ratio in your tears, this is known as hyperosmolarity. We measure this ratio and use it to track how your dry eye treatment is working over time. It is a quick and painless procedure that analyzes a small portion of the tear film.

The second option is Inflammadry, which is a small device that detects markers in the tear film. These markers are commonly seen in inflammatory cases of dry eye. It is a short 10-minute lab test that will guide your customized treatment plan.

Lastly our optometrists can perform a tear evaluation. This is an advanced analysis of the tears using biomicroscopy. The optometrist will diagnose the cause of your dry eye using the above tests and their tear evaluation. Once the appropriate diagnosis is made, an individual dry eye treatment plan will be created.

Nutrition

Doctors sometimes recommend special nutritional supplements containing certain essential fatty acids to decrease dry eye symptoms. Drinking more water may also relieve symptoms. If medications are the cause of dry eyes, discontinuing the drug generally resolves the problem. But in this case, the benefits of the drug must be weighed against the side effect of dry eyes. Sometimes switching to a different type of medication alleviates the dry eye symptoms while keeping the needed treatment. In any case, never switch or discontinue your medications without consulting with your doctor first. Treating any underlying eyelid disease, such as blepharitis, helps as well. This may call for antibiotic or steroid drops, plus frequent eyelid scrubs with an antibacterial shampoo.

Stop Living With Discomfort

Dry Eye Solutions

Hylo

Hylo is preservative and phosphate free, which prevents damage to cells on the surface of the eye. It contains hyaluronic acid for long lasting relief and can be used with contacts!

Calmo

Calmo provides instant humidification by stabilizing tear film. It moisturizes the skin and tear film while being preservative free to prevent irritation. It also contains Lipids to reduce evaporation of tears.

Bruder Mask

Uses heat therapy on the meibomian glands, which secrete the oil component of the tear film. As the glands are heated they become less clogged and oil flow is improved.

Meibomian gland expression

Your Meibomian glands produce the oil component of your tears. MBE is an in office eyelid procedure to unblock clogged oil glands. This targets the underlying cause of evaporative dry eye by improving natural oils.


Blephex

Blephex is a microblepharoexfoliation procedure to clean eyelids and reduce the build-up of bacteria. It is mainly used to treat blepharitis.

Cliradex

Cliradex is a brand of Lid scrubs that provide long term maintenance of certain types of blepharitis. They contain the active ingredient in tea tree oil which helps to reduce microbes.

Restasis
Prescription Drops

Our Doctors may prescribe medications to increase tear production or decrease eye inflammation.

Punctal Plugs

Punctal Plugs are medical inserts put into the drainage system of the eye to keep your natural tears on your eyes longer.

Suffering From Dry Eye Disease?


Learn more about Radiofrequency dry eye treatment and book an assessment with one of our amazing optometrists to determine if you are a candidate for this procedure.