Get Lasting Relief from Dry Eyes
If you notice your eyes are frequently dry, gritty, or tired no matter how much sleep you get, or you notice your vision is sometimes blurry or distorted, the cause could be dry eye disease.
Dry eye disease is extremely common in Alberta. And with our dry, windy, and often cold climate in Claresholm, we see many patients living with discomfort and vision issues caused by dry eye.
During your eye exam, we can seek the underlying cause of your dry eye symptoms with precision diagnostic tools and technology. Our personalized approach to dry eye relief can include IPL (intense pulsed light) or low-level light therapy (LLLT) treatments, eyelid cleansing treatments, soothing eye masks and sprays, and more.
Book your appointment and get one step closer to dry eye relief.
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What Is Dry Eye Disease?
Dry eye disease can be caused by a variety of factors, from spending lots of time using screens, to smoky, dry air, or the effects of aging.
Our tears require a delicate balance for our eyes to function at their best. When our tears don’t contain the right balance of water, oil, and mucus, or we have trouble producing tears at all, it can lead to dry, irritated eyes.
While over-the-counter eye drops can provide some relief, more-advanced treatments like IPL and LLLT are often needed for longer-lasting, reliable care.
How We Diagnose Dry Eye
In your personalized dry eye exam, we’ll ask you about the comfort of your eyes and the clarity of your vision. We want to understand when you feel the discomfort that may be caused by dry eyes and how disruptive it is to your daily life. You can take our dry eye quiz ahead of your appointment to learn if your symptoms might be dry eye.
We’ll also take pictures of the oil glands, called meibomian glands, that line your eyelids and that are responsible for providing a key element of your tears. These images allow us to see whether any glands are blocked or not working. We may also test how fast your tears leave your eyes to better understand the root cause of your symptoms.
What’s Behind Dry Eye Disease?
Many cases of dry eye are related to meibomian gland dysfunction, which happens when the oil glands along the eyelids are blocked or aren’t producing oil properly.
Some cases of dry eye are related to blepharitis. Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids, around the eyelashes. It’s typically caused by a buildup of bacteria or clogged oil glands, and is related to dandruff and rosacea.
Dry eyes can also be caused or worsened by:
- Diseases such as diabetes, thyroid disease, and rheumatoid arthritis
- Ageing
- Blepharitis
- Demodex mites
- Screen time
- Certain medications
- UV exposure or smoky environments
- Changing hormones
- Allergies
- Smoking
- Incorrect contact lenses
- Laser eye surgery
How We Treat Dry Eye
We personalize your treatment plan based on the underlying cause of your dry eyes as well as what kind of treatment is most practical for your lifestyle. While some patients benefit from at-home therapies like eye masks, others need or prefer IPL treatment for faster results.
In your dry eye exam, we can discuss the options available. We’re here to advise you and support your road to relief.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy
Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy is a common treatment used to help relieve dry eye symptoms. In an IPL treatment appointment, our IPL device emits intense flashes of light energy to gently warm your eyelids, which can help loosen blockages in your meibomian glands that cause dry eye.
IPL therapy reduces inflammation by targeting what are called “telangiectatic blood vessels”—the abnormal red blood vessels people can have on their skin. These vessels produce inflammation that causes dry eye).
Most patients start with a series of 4 to 6 sessions, spaced 1 to 4 weeks apart. After the initial treatment course, we typically recommend maintenance treatments every 6 to 12 months, depending on the severity of your dry eye symptoms.
You may notice results after just 1 IPL session. However, we often recommend multiple sessions to help maintain your eye comfort. As a side benefit, IPL therapy also increases collagen synthesis, which helps tighten skin and reduce wrinkles.
Light Modulation (LLLT)
Low-level light therapy (LLLT) is a comprehensive approach to addressing a range of issues associated with dry eye and helps promote cellular function.
This technology rests on top of your face like a mask. During your treatment, the device will emit different colours of light to help address different symptoms.
- The blue mask works to eliminate bacteria that contribute to blepharitis. Three treatments of IPL therapy are followed by 15 minutes of blue mask treatment. Your treatment schedule will typically be day 1, 4 days later, then treatment at 3 weeks.
- The red mask helps reduce inflammation for hordeolum, styes, and chalazion. Three treatments of 15 minutes are required 1 week apart.
- The yellow mask helps reduce swelling and promote drainage (bags under the eyes).
At-home LLLT alternatives aren’t as effective because they don’t penetrate the tissue deep enough for results.
Many LLLT sessions take only 15 minutes to complete. You may experience results after 1 appointment, but we often recommend multiple sessions to help maintain your eye comfort.
More Dry Eye Treatment Methods We Offer
Every person’s eyes are unique, and certain treatments might suit your busy life better than others. Learn more about our dry eye solutions, and always know we want to hear any questions you have about your dry eye symptoms and treatment options.
Be sure to check out our online store to explore our range of at-home dry eye relief products, from drops and sprays to nutritional supplements and more.
For patients with blepharitis, we may suggest BlephEx. This gentle in-office treatment thoroughly cleans debris from the eyelids and base of the eyelashes.
This cleaning is designed to alleviate the cause of inflammation in the eyelids, promoting healthy tear function and relieving your symptoms.
Medicated eye drops are prescribed to stimulate tear production and relieve inflammation related to dry eye.
Artificial tears, or eye drops, are available over the counter and act like natural tears to provide extra lubrication when needed. We recommend preservative-free drops, which can offer longer-lasting relief to dry eye symptoms.
Eye sprays provide similar benefits to artificial tears, but with the convenience of simply spraying them over the eyelids. These dry eye-specific sprays can provide much-needed moisture and relief from the feeling that there’s something in your eye.
Dry eye-specific lid wipes can help relieve symptoms related to blepharitis and meibomian gland, remove debris on the lids and lashes, and soothe your eyes.
Both products are available in our online store for your convenience.
In some cases, tears can drain through eye ducts too quickly to sufficiently lubricate the eye.
Punctal plugs are small plugs that are inserted into the corner of the eye, slowing drainage and preventing tear loss for more comfortable eyes.
Zocular’s ZocuShield is an eyelid gel that can help treat the root cause of dry eye. Its natural ingredients, including activated okra and plant extracts, have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties.
The cleansing solution can penetrate the eyelid’s biofilm, reducing the presence of demodex mites, which can cause blepharitis and dry eye. ZocuShield’s soothing properties can effectively alleviate eyelid irritation and redness.
We may recommend changing your diet to relieve dry eye symptoms. Specifically, Introducing foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish, leafy greens, and nuts may help reduce dry eye symptoms for some patients.
Omega-3 supplements specifically designed for dry eye are available in our online store.
Your eye doctor may suggest some environmental or lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking or spending less time using digital devices to help alleviate your symptoms.
Take Our Dry Eye Quiz
Is it dry eye, or something else? Take our dry eye quiz to learn more about your symptoms. The best way to learn about any symptoms related to your eyes or vision is to visit your eye doctor.
Get Answers About Your Eye Health
Don’t let dry eye discomfort keep you from enjoying your life. Our team can assess your symptoms, diagnose the likely causes of your dry eye, and create a personalized treatment plan designed to relieve your discomfort and get your eyes feeling better again.
Book your appointment today.
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With advanced technology and a knowledgeable team, we can diagnose, treat, and manage a range of conditions, from your child’s nearsightedness to irritating dry eyes to eye diseases.
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Our in-house lab lets us finish and secure your lenses in your frames, reducing your wait time and helping lower your final bill.
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Our eye clinic in Claresholm has been serving Southern Alberta for over 20 years. We are located next to Rooster Tails and Prairie Home Decor & Framing.
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- 130 49 Ave. West
- Claresholm, AB T0L 0T0
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- Phone: 403-625-4471
- Fax: 403-625-4773
- Email: [email protected]
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Claresholm Eye Care
- 130 49 Ave. West
- Claresholm, AB T0L 0T0
- 403-625-4471
- 403-625-4773
- [email protected]
