Dry Eye Consultations & Treatments
Dr. Schaefer has a special interest in dry eye disease and performs specialized diagnostic tests to evaluate the quality and quantity of your tears to help properly manage the type of dry eye disease you have. At Modern Eyes Optometry, we understand there are more effective treatments than just eye drops.
Understanding Dry Eye Disease
The eye requires a certain level of lubrication to function properly and comfortably. For this reason, the body creates tears: a liquid made primarily of water and natural oils.
When the body does not create a sufficient volume of tears and/or produces poor quality tears, eyes become dry. Dry eye disease is one of the most common conditions seen by optometrists and is often confused with eye allergies because of the symptoms it presents.
Symptoms
Dry eye symptoms are typically intermittent and may include:
- Redness
- Irritation (burn, grit, itch)
- Watering
- Intermittent blur
- Light sensitivity
- Eye fatigue
- Contact lens discomfort
What to Expect From Your Consultation
A dry eye consultation includes:
- Dry eye questionnaire
- Lifestyle and occupational analysis
- Advanced diagnostic testing using the Keratograph 5M
- Tear volume measurement
- Tear film evaporation rate
- Infrared imaging of upper and lower meibomian glands
- In-depth evaluation of the ocular surface and eyelids
- Diagnostic expression of meibomian glands
- Personalized treatment plan which may include
- Artificial tear recommendations
- Prescription eye drops
- Eyelid care recommendations
- Therapeutic expression of meibomian glands
- Nutrition treatment plan, including food and supplements
- Prescription oral and topical medications
- Tips to minimize environmental impacts
The length of a dry eye consultation varies depending on each patient and their needs. However, individuals should expect approximately 60 minutes.
Treatment Options
Once a diagnosis has been made, our optometrists will thoroughly explain the treatment options that are right for you while ensuring your questions are answered and your concerns are addressed.
Lumenis M22™ IPL
Lumenis M22™ IPL is an effective and safe treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), one of the leading causes of dry eye disease.
IPL treatment decreases skin surface and eyelid inflammation using multiple pulses of bright light to improve meibomian gland health and better balance the tear layer on the surface of the eye. Other benefits may include improvement to skin texture, skin colour and skin tightness.
LipiFlow® Thermal Pulsation System
LipiFlow® is an effective and safe treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), one of the leading causes of dry eye disease.
Using a combination of gentle heat and massage, the LipiFlow® treatment removes blockages from the meibomian glands, allowing natural oils to resume production. These oils work to protect the tear layer and provide essential moisture to the eye’s surface.
Medicated Eye Drops
Similar to artificial tears, medicated eye drops relieve dry eye symptoms. However, in addition to offering symptomatic relief, these eye drops stimulate the body’s natural tear production and address the underlying inflammation.
Lifestyle Changes
Environmental factors such as diet and air quality can contribute to the development and severity of dry eye disease. Eliminating a smoking habit, consuming specific omega-3 fatty acids, and/or modifying your work and home environments may reduce dryness.
Oral Medications
Low-dose anti-inflammatories may be an effective way to increase tear quality while decreasing ocular irritation.
Artificial Tears
Artificial tears come in the form of eye drops and are designed to lubricate your eyes.