Solutions for Dry Eye Disease in St. Albert
Are you struggling with dry eyes? At the Eye Health Centre, our optometrists offer personalized care and innovative solutions to alleviate your symptoms. We are committed to finding the right solution for you by performing specialized imaging and using advanced treatment methods.
Do These Symptoms
Sound Familiar?
Sound Familiar?
Dry eye disease (DED) occurs when tear production and drainage are out of balance. People with dry eyes either do not produce enough tears, or their tears are of poor quality. The result? Unpleasant symptoms include itching, burning, redness, watery eyes, excessive tearing, and even eye pain. Dry eye disease can also increase your risk for more severe eye problems like corneal ulcers. Without treatment or proper medication, the disease can worsen over time.
If so, you may have dry eye disease. Book a specialized dry eye exam at the Eye Health Centre to learn about this disease and get an individualized treatment plan.
What Causes
Dry Eye?
Dry Eye?
While over 80% of dry eye cases are due to blocked oil glands in the eyelids—a condition called meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) or evaporative dry eye. Other factors can also cause this syndrome, including:
- Gender: The majority of dry eye sufferers are women. This tends to be caused by hormonal changes, whether through the use of contraceptives, pregnancy, or menopause.
- Age: DED is more prevalent in those over 50 years of age.
- Environment: Dry wind, air, and climates can evaporate the tears. Home and car heaters, air conditioners, fans, and hair dryers also cause tears to evaporate.
- Medication: These include antidepressants, decongestants, and blood pressure medications.
- Auto-Immune Disorders: Sjogren’s disease and arthritis, among others.
- Eye Surgeries: LASIK, cataract, and eyelid surgery can cause dry eye disease.
- Makeup and Cosmetic Products: Chemicals can damage meibomian glands, leading to poor oil production.
- Computer or Device Usage: Decreased blinking when looking at screens causes dry eye symptoms to worsen.
- Acne Rosacea: This skin condition causes inflammation in the meibomian glands, leading to dry eye symptoms.
Dry Eye
Evaluations
Evaluations
Using cutting-edge imaging techniques, the Eye Health Centre’s optometrists use the Mediworks Firefly Anterior Segment and Meibography imaging slit lamp. This allows for a detailed examination of the meibomian glands and evaluation of the integrity of the tear film. Additionally, it is important to identify potential irritants, including makeup and other products applied around the eyes, which contribute to dry eye disease.
Dry Eye Treatments
at The Eye Health Centre
at The Eye Health Centre
We provide various dry eye treatments tailored to each patient's needs. Our approach combines state-of-the-art technology with a range of products, focusing on eyelid hygiene and makeup removal. Our treatments include:
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
for Effective Dry Eye Relief
for Effective Dry Eye Relief
The Luvo Lucent IPL is a cutting-edge, Health Canada-approved technology to treat dry eye syndrome. This innovative approach employs intense pulsed light (IPL) to address the underlying causes of dry eye.
What is IPL and How Does It Work?
IPL therapy is a treatment for meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). It uses light pulses to gently heat and stimulate the eyelids, reducing inflammation and unblocking the oil glands. This helps restore the natural oil flow into the tears, maintain eye moisture, and improve dry eye symptoms. The process is non-invasive and minimally uncomfortable, offering an effective solution for those suffering from this chronic condition.
What to Expect Before
& During IPL Treatment
& During IPL Treatment
Patients undergoing IPL treatment can anticipate a quick and comfortable experience, typically lasting about 15 minutes. Before treatment, you'll have a consultation to discuss your dry eye symptoms and medical history.
We provide protective eyewear during the treatment and apply a gel to the treatment area. The device then emits pulses of light to the eyelids. The process is non-invasive, and most individuals report minimal to no discomfort during the session.
What to Expect
After IPL Treatment
After IPL Treatment
After IPL treatment, most patients return to their daily activities immediately. You might notice some redness or warmth in the treated area, but these symptoms typically subside quickly. Multiple sessions may be necessary to achieve optimal results, depending on the severity of your dry eye. It's crucial to protect your skin post-treatment. We recommend applying Riversol sunscreen, which can help shield the treated areas from sun exposure.
