Dry Eye Therapy

What is Dry Eye?

You don’t have to suffer from dry eye.

Dry eyes can cause more than just discomfort; if left untreated, they can cause corneal damage. Fortunately, Upper Richmond Optometry is here to help. We will perform a comprehensive evaluation of your dry eye and create a treatment plan designed just for your eyes.

Book your consultation today and find relief from dry eyes sooner.

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Dry Eye Symptoms

Common symptoms of dry eye include:

Blurred vision
Light sensitivity
String discharge
Eye redness/fatigue
A foreign body sensation
Difficulty seeing at night/wearing contacts

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Our Dry Eye Assessment

To determine the cause of your dry eyes, and create a tailored treatment or management plan to meet your needs, we offer comprehensive dry eye assessments. Your optometrist will perform a series of tests using cutting-edge equipment to assess your eyes and determine the best course of action.

If your eyes feel dry and irritated, please take our dry eye pre-screening quiz to determine if dry eyes may be the cause.

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Take Our Dry Eye Pre-Screening Quiz

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In-Office Treatments

IPL

IPL (intense pulsed light) can be used to treat dry eyes caused by MGD (meibomian gland dysfunction). The procedure involves using a handheld device that emits light pulses to gently warm the meibum clogging the meibomian glands. Once the meibum has been sufficiently warmed, your optometrist will use a cotton-tipped applicator to apply gentle pressure to these glands, pushing the meibum blockages out. This application of gentle pressure is called meibomian gland expression.

iLUX

iLux is a handheld device used to treat dry eyes caused by MGD (meibomian gland dysfunction). The device is outfitted with sterile, silicone tipped applicator, and is used to apply gentle heat and light pressure to the eyelids. This heat and pressure warms the meibum currently blocking the meibomian glands and expresses it, removing the blockage. One study found that both iLux and Lipiflow can significantly improve gland function and alleviate dry eye symptoms and produce comparable results.

Radiofrequency

Radio frequency thermistors can be used to effectively treat MGD (meibomian gland dysfunction) in some patients. This small, handheld device uses radio waves to target clogged meibomian glands. The radio waves generate heat where the skin and fat layer meet, liquifying thickened meibum (whose consistency is similar curdled milk or cream cheese, as opposed to the olive oil like consistency it should have). Warming and softening the meibum allows it to be gently removed.

Lipiflow

LipiFlow is an in-office treatment that uses a small, handheld device to treat (meibomian gland dysfunction). The device applies gentle heat and light pressure, warming the thickened meibum clogging the glands so that it can be removed. This improves gland function and can offer long-term relief for MGD, and has been found to be highly effective for treating dry eye symptoms. One study has found that both Lipiflow and iLux can significantly improve gland function and alleviate dry eye symptoms and produce comparable results.

BlephEx

BlephEx is a small, handheld device that can be used to treat blepharitis, a common condition that causes the eyelids to become irritated and inflamed. Blepharitis occurs when the oil-producing glands in the eyelids become clogged, causing swelling and irritation. Though there is no cure for blepharitis, BlephEx can be used to manage the condition. Blephex gently exfoliates your lids, removing thickened oil and other debris from the eyelid margins.

The Deal with Omega-3s

Omega-3s are an important part of any diet, but they’re also key in alleviating and preventing symptoms of dry eye. Learn more in this video.

Maintenance Products

To help you enjoy long-lasting relief, your optometrist may suggest you use one of the following maintenance products in addition to your regular in-office treatments.

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Bruder Masks

Bruder masks use gentle, warming heat to provide relief from dry eyes caused by MGD (meibomian gland dysfunction) and blepharitis. The mask uses heat to melt thickened meibum, improving meibomian gland function and slowing the evaporation rate of your tears.

Omega 3 (PRN)

If you suffer from either chronic or occasional dry eyes, your optometrist may suggest you increase your intake of some nutrients and minerals, such as Omega 3. Omega 3 supplements from PRN (Physician Recommended Nutraceuticals) can be used to improve tear film quality to prevent tears from evaporating too quickly. Research has shown that consuming Omega 3 fatty acids can significantly improve the quality of tears produced.

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Hylo Gel

Hylo gel lubricating eye drops can be used to help ensure the surface of your eyes remains hydrated and may be prescribed if your dry eyes are chronic or particularly severe. These eye drops can help you enjoy continued comfort between in-office treatments.

Hylo Dual

Hylo dual eye drops can help safeguard your eyes from excessive tear evaporation. As their name suggests, these eye drops are designed to both stabilize your tear film and provide long-lasting protection against dryness.

Calmo

Calmo eye spray is designed to help stabilize the tear film’s lipid layer, which helps prevent excessive evaporation. Calmo eye spray is made with liposomes, which act like the eye’s natural lipids. The spray is applied to closed eyes, where it mixes with the eye’s natural lipids and prevents tears from running over the lid margin or evaporating too quickly.

Thealoz Duo

Thealoz duo eye drops may be prescribed to patients with moderate to severe dry eye to be used in conjunction with regular in-office treatments. As its name suggests, these eye drops contain two significant ingredients – trehalose and sodium hyaluronate. Trehalose is used to protect the eye’s epithelial cells so they can become more resistant to the everyday stress of dry environments and tear film changes that can cause dry eye. Sodium hyaluronate is used to help your tears retain the water they need to hydrate and lubricate your eye’s surface.

Hyabak

Hyabak eye drops are made with sodium hyaluronate, which is used to lubricate and hydrate your eye’s surface by helping prevent excessive tear evaporation. These eye drops are suitable for almost all dry eye patients, including those with moderate to severe dry eyes. They are designed to reduce or even eliminate symptoms such as dryness or grittiness, providing long-lasting relief between appointments.

Ocunox

Ocunox eye ointment is designed for overnight corneal protection. The cornea is particularly sensitive to drying at night since our eyes don’t typically produce tears while we are sleeping. Ocunox is designed to protect the surface of the eye and improve your tear film, providing long-lasting dry eye relief during the day.

Blephadex

Blephadex produces a variety of at-home dry eye maintenance products, including cleansing eyelid wipes, warming eyelid wipes, and eyelid foam to help you get long-lasting relief from your dry eyes between in-office treatment sessions.

What Causes Dry Eye?

There are 2 main causes of dry eye: inadequate tear volume and poor tear quality.

Our eyes depend on stable tear film to stay lubricated and hydrated. If there’s a change in balance to one of these layers, it can lead to dry eye disease.

Inadequate Tear Volume

Our bodies produce tears using several different glands located in and around our eyelids. As we age, our eyes aren’t able to produce as many tears as they once did, which can cause dry eyes. Some medical conditions and medications can also impact tear production.

Environmental factors can also cause dry eyes. Even if we can produce enough tears, dry air or windy weather can cause our tears to evaporate too quickly.

Poor Tear Quality

Tears are made up of 3 main ingredients: meibum (a type of oil), water, and mucin.

Meibum is the outer tear layer, forming a thin protective barrier and preventing our tears from evaporating too quickly. Mucin helps our tears spread evenly across the surface of our eyes, protecting our corneas. If our tears evaporate too quickly, or our tears are not uniformly distributed, it can result in dry eyes.

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Clinical Studies

The following clinical studies were referenced on this page.

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We’re proud to serve our community of North London and Arva. We are conveniently located on Richmond Street, directly across from the Arva Flour Mill. We are just north of the Richmond Street and Medway Road intersection, on the left-hand side, next to Arva Appliances.