Helping You Deal with Dry Eye
Constant irritation is not a feeling you want associated with your eyes. But many Canadians suffer from dry eye disease, which causes uncomfortable eyes. In fact, approximately 6 million Canadians live with dry eye—but you don’t have to!
At Brantford Eye Care, we understand that dry eye is a complex condition. Everyone’s eyes are unique and we’ll work with you to get to the root cause of your dry eye. Our dry eye treatments are far from generic. We offer personalized treatment plans, fully tailored to you.
Find relief from the discomfort of dry eye. Book your appointment today.
Symptoms of Dry Eye
Symptoms of dry eye generally occur in both eyes simultaneously and can include:
- Stinging or burning feeling
- Gritty or scratchy sensation
- Fluctuating vision
- Foreign body sensation
- Excessive tearing
Any time you experience uncomfortable eyes, it’s important to book an appointment for a comprehensive eye exam. Not only can we help to alleviate your symptoms, we will also ensure your eyes are healthy and check for signs of eye diseases.
Book an appointment to find relief for your dry eye today!
What Is Dry Eye?
Dry eye occurs when your eyes chronically do not produce enough moisture and lubrication to keep themselves moist and comfortable. The medical term for dry eyes, keratitis sicca, refers to a decrease in the production of tears.
There are 2 main underlying causes of dry eye—either your eyes do not produce enough tears, or the tears they produce are of poor quality.
Poor Quality Tears
Also known as evaporative dry eye, poor quality tears result from an imbalance in the tear film.
The tear film is made of 3 layers:
- An oil layer, made in the meibomian glands, prevents tears from drying up too quickly.
- A water layer hydrates the eyes, washing away debris and keeping the eye clean and moist.
- A mucus layer spreads the water layer over the surface of the eye.
Not Enough Tears
Aqueous deficiency dry eye, or not having enough tears, only accounts for a small percentage of dry eye cases. It occurs when the eyes simply do not produce enough tears to moisten the eye.
Some of the reasons for decreased tear production might include:
- Prolonged contact lens use
- The normal aging process
- Certain medications such as antihistamines or antidepressants
- Medical conditions such as arthritis and diabetes
- Sjögren’s Syndrome
- Recent laser eye surgery
Intense Regulated Pulsed Light
Intense regulated pulsed light therapy (IRPL) is a new treatment that expands on conventional intense pulsed light therapy (IPL). IRPL is an efficient treatment that can improve the function of meibomian glands to help relieve and prevent dry eye symptoms.
E>Eye is a modern medical device that uses patented intense regulated pulsed light to treat chronic dry eye syndrome. The E>Eye generates polychromatic pulsated light by producing perfectly calibrated and homogeneously sequenced light pulses. The energy spectrum and time period are precisely set to stimulate the meibomian glands to improve their function.
Many years of research and testing have gone into developing the E>Eye. Localized treatment is directed at the lower eyelid and the lower arcades of the parasympathetic nerve to help improve gland function and reduce inflammatory cascades.
Health Canada approves this treatment for dry eyes.
How Does it Work?
The E>Eye produces perfectly calibrated light pulses. The spectrum, energy, and time are set to precisely stimulate the meibomian glands.
The light pulses are applied to the upper cheek area (just under the eyes) and not the eyes themselves, allowing the device to stimulate the parasympathetic nerve that supplies the meibomian glands. The light pulses stimulate the release of neurotransmitters, which interact with the meibomian glands, leading to restored function and long-term relief of chronic dry eyes.
The Process
The treatment protocol involves 4 sessions. The sessions are considered comfortable and painless. 90% of patients report reduced symptoms after just 2 treatments. Each treatment session only takes a short time at your optometrist’s office. You’ll wear protective goggles, and ultrasound gel is applied to your upper cheek area. Your optometrist then applies 5 flashes of light to the treatment area. This is then repeated with your other eye.
The Results
Research has shown that the long-lasting effect of IRPL is expected for a minimum of 6 months and up to 3 years or more. Single-maintenance treatment visits are recommended if your symptoms start to come back to help maintain long-term relief.
IRPL is a promising treatment that has recently come to Canada, and Brantford Eye Care is proud to be one of the few Canadian practices to offer this innovative, noninvasive dry eye treatment.
Our Dry Eye Diagnostics & Treatments
At Brantford Eye Care, our office has invested in the latest technology to help you find relief from dry eye. We will provide a comprehensive assessment, and then recommend one of these or several other treatments.
Dry Eye Evaluations with MYAH
Dry eye evaluations using Topcon’s MYAH biometer and corneal topographer provide a comprehensive assessment to understand and manage dry eye disease. We use the MYAH dry eye summary report to learn more about your tear film and ocular surface and develop a personalized treatment plan.
ZEST Treatments (Microblepharoexfoliation)
The ZEST treatment, developed by Zocular, uses a refined okra extract to kill demodex mites, remove dirt and debris, and relieve inflammation. ZEST offers a gentle and noninvasive in-office treatment for dry eyes.
ZEST treatment involves a deep, gentle exfoliation and cleaning of the eyelids. Think of the biofilm like a layer of plaque on the surface of your lid margins. The goal of the treatment is to clean the eyelid margin where the openings of your meibomian glands release oils into the eye, which is crucial for a healthy tear film.
The treatment also helps with blepharitis and Demodex mites.
Meibography
Meibography is just one of the ways in which we diagnose dry eye. The process involves looking closely at your meibomian glands, the tiny glands lining your upper and lower eyelids. These glands are responsible for producing the oil layer of your tears, so keeping them at optimal function can help to relieve your dry eye.
Intense Regulated Pulsed Light
Brantford Eye Care, offers intense regulated pulsed light (IRPL) treatments for chronic dry eye. Specifically, IRPL helps to treat meibomian gland dysfunction, a main cause of many chronic dry eye symptoms.
Brantford Eye Care is one of the few Canadian practices to offer this innovative, noninvasive dry eye treatment. To learn more about IRPL, click here for an informational pamphlet.
At-Home Treatments
In addition to our in-office treatments, we can help you find the right at-home methods. Based on your symptoms and other treatments you may be receiving, we can recommend eye drops, including gentler, preservative-free varieties.
We also carry treatments like heated eye masks, blepharitis lid hygiene wipes, and specialized Omega 3 Dry Eye supplements to help relieve and treat a variety of dry eye conditions.
Contact us today to schedule your appointment and learn more about the different at-home treatments that can benefit your eye health.
Our Locations
Brantford
- 268 Brant Ave.
- Brantford, ON N3T 3J7
*We’re closed on Saturdays during long weekends, as well as every Saturday in July & August.
Hours Of Operation
- Monday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM*
- Sunday: Closed
Ohsweken
- 1721 Chiefswood Rd, Unit 13
- Ohsweken, ON N0A 1M0
Call us Mondays and Wednesdays between 9:00 am-4:00 pm (We are closed 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm). Please call the Brantford location on other days of the week.
Hours Of Operation
- Monday: 9:30 AM – 4:15 PM
- Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 4:15 PM
Our Blog
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Migraine Glasses: How Avulux Can Help
Migraines aren’t just headaches; they can be debilitating episodes that disrupt daily life and activities. For many sufferers, light sensitivity is a significant trigger that can intensify the pain and discomfort associated with migraines. Migraine glasses, specifically Avulux, have lenses that can help alleviate light sensitivity and improve the quality of life for migraine sufferers. […]
Dry Eyes: Common Causes and Treatments
Dry eyes are a common issue that many patients face, often leading to discomfort and impaired vision. One of the characteristic symptoms of digital eye strain is the gritty feeling under your eyelids after spending too long staring at a monitor. Understanding the root causes and effective treatments can significantly improve your eye health and […]
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Brantford Eye Care
- 268 Brant Ave.
- Brantford, ON N3T 3J7
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P: 519-752-0121
[email protected]
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Ohsweken
- 1721 Chiefswood Rd, Unit 13
- Ohsweken, ON N0A 1M0
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P: 519-445-0000
[email protected]
