HOW SEVERE ARE YOUR DRY EYES?

DRY EYE

Itchy, watery, red, irritated eyes? Book your dry eye assessment.

Common Symptoms Of Dry Eye Disease

Symptoms of Dry Eye Disease typically affect both eyes and often include at least one of the following:

Stinging and/or burning sensation

Periods of blurred and/or fluctuating vision

Scratchy and/or gritty feeling

Redness and/or irritation

Excessive watering

Any number of these symptoms could be a sign that you are experiencing Dry Eye Disease. However, with proper diagnosis and treatment, you can be living life comfortably again without the annoyance of dry eyes.

What Causes Dry Eye Disease?

Before getting into the assessment and treatment options, it is important to review what exactly causes Dry Eye Disease. Studies show that 80% of all Dry Eye Disease cases are due to the Lipid (oil) layer of your tear film not functioning properly.

Protecting your eye are three layers. In front is the lipid (oil) layer, behind that is the aqueous (water) layer, and finally, there is the mucin (mucus) layer. A basic explanation is that the aqueous layer hydrates your eye and the lipid layer traps the aqueous layer against your eye, stopping it from evaporating.

As previously mentioned, most Dry Eye Disease is typically caused by an improperly functioning lipid layer. Without this oil layer, your eyes dry out quickly. The lipid layer is produced by Meibomian glands and many of our treatments focus on helping the meibomian glands produce enough oil to keep your eyes hydrated.

Our Dry Eye Clinic

Our specialty Dry Eye Disease Clinic, led by Dr. Kulvir Dhaliwal, has helped many patients suffering from Dry Eye Disease to once again live life comfortably. The Dry Eye Disease Assessment will give Dr. Dhaliwal the information he needs to identify the root cause of your dry eyes and determine what treatment options are best suited for your needs.

We are committed to the highest standard of patient care and are excited to serve you here in our clinic. Below is a review of the various assessment methods we make use of.

DIAGNOSTIC TESTS FOR DRY EYE DISEASE

Corneal Staining

A yellow dye is instilled on the eye and highlights patterns of dryness in the outermost layer of the cornea, called the epithelium

The location and severity of the dye’s pattern can help determine the cause of dryness

For example, if the dyes highlights are in the lower one-third of the cornea, it could be due to incomplete blinking, exposure while sleeping, or a decreased blink rate

The photos below show corneal staining signaling various degrees of dryness

Tear Break Up Time (TBUT)

A clinical test used to assess for evaporative dry eye disease by highlighting the oil layer in the tear ﬁlm

To measure tear breakup time, a yellow dye is instilled into your tear ﬁlm and you are asked not to blink while the tear ﬁlm is observed

If a dry spot in the tear film is observed in under 10 seconds without blinking it is considered abnormal

Image B shows the appearance of a dry spot

Tear Osmolarity

A measurement used to determine how much salt is in your tears

Normal osmolarity is essential for proper tear production, retention, distribution and elimination

Tear osmolarity is abnormal when it is more than 300 millimoles per liter

Readings above 300 millimoles are considered salty tears and indicate that inflammation is present

Lipiscan Imaging
(Meibomian Gland Imaging)

Lipiscan imaging shows us the condition of the Meibomian Glands which produce the outermost layer of your tear film oil

The oil produced from these glands prevents tears from evaporating

As glands continue to not function properly they begin to atrophy (truncate)

Once Meibomian Glands atrophy (or loss), they do not grow back

TREATMENTS WE OFFER

IPL (Intense Pulse Light)

Why IPL

IPL has been shown to provide relief for patients experiencing mild – severe dry eye disease symptoms. The pulsed light helps to stimulate and clear out meibomian glands allowing them to continue forming a healthy lipid layer protecting your tear film.

It is recommended that patients undergo 3 treatments, or, for optimal results, combine an IPL treatment with a session of Lipiflow.

Lipiflow

Lipiflow has been shown to increase meibomian gland function threefold, one average, with just one treatment. By carefully applying the right amount of warmth and energy to the eyelids, oil obstructing the meibomian glands is cleared out.

Take a look at this video demonstration of how lipiflow can help relieve your dry eye disease.

Punctal Plugs

When tears drain too quickly from the eye, it can exasperate dry eye symptoms. Punctal plugs are used to reduce the amount of liquid draining away from your eyes through the puncta. This results in your eyes staying better hydrated.

The doctor will quickly and painlessly insert the plugs into your lower puncta and, if necessary, the upper puncta as well.

Heat Mask

How To Use It

After warming the heat mask in the microwave for 20 seconds, it will reach a temperature of about 42°C for 10 minutes.

How It Works

This mask is the best method to achieve an even and consistent temperature in the eyelids. Doing this on a regular basis melts the oil clogging your meibomian glands, allowing them to continue secreting the oils necessary to protect your tear film.

Other forms of hot compresses, such as warm towels, do not retain heat long enough or distribute it even enough to warm the oil in your meibomian glands.

Thealoz Duo Artificial Tear

Why Thealoz Duo?

The unique synergy of Trehalose and Hyaluronic Acid used in Theatloz helps combat symptoms of dry eye disease in multiple ways:

Reduces inflammatory biomarkers in the tear film
Improves quality of tear film allowing it to keep eyes hydrated for longer
Significantly decreases damage to cornea in dry eye patients
Can be used with all types of contact lenses

Lid Wipes

Use I-Lid ‘N Lash to remove bacteria, dirt, and debris from the area surrounding your eye. By maintaining a clean lid surface you will experience less irritation and meibomian glands will create a more consistent lipid layer.

Apply the wipe to the eyelid in a circular motion
Wipe down eyelid and eyelash several times
Flip wipe and apply to other eye
Keep eyes closed for 1 minute after treatment to avoid irritation

Omega-3

Omega-3 aids in minimizing dry eye symptoms by improving the quality of oil making up the tear film.

The quality of your omega-3 matters as well. At FVCL we offer a brand specially selected by our specialist that is proven to have a much greater impact than typical consumer brands.

Omega-3 has also been proven to play an important role in reducing joint pain, maintaining a healthy heart, and ensuring proper cardiovascular function.