Table of Contents

Advanced Dry Eye Clinic

What is dry eye?

Dry eye disease is a chronic condition that occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or when your tears evaporate too quickly. Tears are necessary to lubricate and protect the eyes. If they are insufficient or poor quality, they can cause blurred vision, discomfort, irritation, and inflammation.

Several factors can contribute to dry eye diseases, such as screen time, hormonal changes, certain medications, autoimmune disorders, blepharitis and environmental factors like air conditioning, heating, and dry climates. Treatments range from lubricating with artificial tears to prescription medications and dry eye procedures.

We offer a full suite of treatment options, from at-home care to in-office dry eye procedures.

 

What causes dry eyes?

Dry eyes occur when the eyes do not produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly. It’s important to see an optometrist when you have symptoms, as untreated, dry eyes can lead to infections and potential damage to your eyes.

Meibomian Gland Expression

Symptoms and When to Get Help

There are several treatments available to treat dry eye. Visit us for a consultation to learn what treatment is best for you.

Common symptoms include:

  • Irritation
  • Burning or stinging sensation
  • A gritty or sandy feeling in your eye
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Stringy mucus
  • Redness 
  • Blurred vision
  • Inability to wear conventional contact lenses comfortably 
  • Difficulty driving at night
  • Eye fatigue
  • Excessive tearing (as the eyes attempt to compensate for lack of moisture)
 

How DR. Sam Dhaliwal & Associates Can Help

We have three locations conveniently located in Edmonton. Our highly educated team can diagnose the cause of your dry eyes and recommend effective treatment options. Treatment plans are personalized and are often combined to achieve the best result for each patient.

We’re leaders in treating dry eye syndrome and can help you find relief with our advanced treatments. These include: 

  1. OptiLight Therapy (IPL)
  2. LipiFlow
  3. Eye-Light (IPL) Treatment and Low Level Light Treatment (LLLT)
  4. Blephex and Zest Treatment

OPTILIGHT IPL Treatment

OptiLight elevates dry eye management with Lumenis’ patented Optimal Pulse Technology (OPT™) and user-centered design. OptiLight treatment takes just 20 minutes and is a safe, comfortable, and effective therapy to manage dry eye. OptiLight IPL also delivers skin tightening and anti-aging properties, providing a youthful look after just one treatment. It is also great for chalazion and hordeolums.

OptiLight elevates dry eye management with Lumenis’ patented Optimal Pulse Technology (OPT™) and user-centered design.

LipiFlow for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)

One of the causes of dry eye syndrome is excessive tear evaporation. Our eyes have glands that produce a protective oil called meibum, which prevents tears from evaporating too quickly. Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) is the most common cause of dry eyes and may affect more than 80% of sufferers.

LipiFlow is a medical device used to treat Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), a common condition where the oil glands in the eyelids become blocked or dysfunctional, leading to dry eye symptoms.

We use a series of tests, including LipiScan, a meibomian gland imaging technology. If blockages are identified, LipiFlow treatment will effectively remove them.

By combining low heat with gentle massage, our team will soften and eliminate the blockages to restore function to the meibomian glands, allowing them to release oil again. This proven treatment takes only 12 minutes and is performed in the comfort of our clinics. 

LipiFlow centres around the breakthrough Vector Thermal Pulse Technology (VTP). It involves the use of a device that combines gentle heat and massage to unclog the Meibomian glands and promote their healthy function. LipiFlow treatment can be effective in restoring the normal function of the Meibomian glands and reducing the symptoms of MGD, such as dryness, burning, and redness of the eyes.

The Eye-Light IPL and Low-level Light Therapy

The Eye-Light IPL + LLLT is an intensive pulse light (IPL) and low-level light therapy (LLLT), which combines light modulation with Optimal Power Energy®. This IPL treatment uses patented Intense Pulsed Light technology. OPE® is designed as a polychromatic light with thermal impulses that are calibrated through software to always be emitted at just the right intensity, providing an extremely high degree of safety and effectiveness.

Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT) helps treat meibomian glands by applying intense LED light to the periorbital area around the eyes, including the eyelids and upper cheekbones. It unclogs hardened oil in the meibomian glands to restore function and improve tear stability. Patients will experience a gentle warming of the skin, and often report dramatically improved eye comfort. 

Eye-Light’s patented photo biomodulation technology solicits cells’ mitochondria, triggering biochemical and biophysical reactions that stimulate them to better protein synthesis as well as generating endogenous heat through increased ATP generation. Thanks to the near-infrared emission of light, the tear lipid layer is increased and stabilized. LLLT can be safely performed on all patients independent of skin pigmentation and directly treats the eyelids and the periocular area.

Together, these treatments provide significant incremental benefits.

Eye-Light’s dual therapy surpasses the efficacy of IPL or RF monotherapy. These modalities combine to provide exceptional treatment responses.

Blephex/Zest Treatment for Blepharitis

Blephex is a procedure used to treat blepharitis, a common condition where the eyelids become inflamed and irritated due to excess bacteria, oil, or debris in the eyelid margins. Blephex treatment involves the use of a handheld device with a specialized disposable tip that gently exfoliates the eyelid margins, removing debris and bacteria.

BlephEx provides patients with immediate relief by cleaning away excess bacteria, biofilm, and bacterial toxins. Our clinics can perform this treatment in the comfort of our clinics, giving patients immediate and lasting results from the symptoms associated with dry eyes caused by blepharitis.

Zest Eyelid cleansing treatment is specifically formulated for patients with blepharitis, dry eye, and other eye conditions that affect the health of the eyelids.

The Zest Eyelid Cleanser is a gentle, non-irritating foam that contains natural ingredients, such as tea tree oil and aloe vera, to clean the eyelids and soothe the skin.

Zest or blephex treatments are commonly done prior to Lipiflow or IPL treatments to cleanse the lids and enhance the overall treatment.

More Options

If you’re experiencing dry eyes, don’t hesitate to talk to us about treatment options. In addition to the treatment options available in the clinic, we may prescribe eye drops, eye relief masks, or other home therapy options to help alleviate your symptoms and improve your eye health.

If you’re experiencing uncomfortable dry eye symptoms, Dr. Sam Dhaliwal & Associates can help. We offer effective treatments and personalized dry eye treatment plans. Your quality of life and eyesight is important. Find out more about dry eye disease by visiting these links, and get relief from dry eyes with online booking.