After you’ve completed your comprehensive dry eye assessment and discussed the results with your doctor, a complete treatment plan and course of action will be outlined. The relief of dry eye requires a commitment by you and your doctor to the treatment plan. Patience is required as the elimination of symptoms may not take full effect for a few months.
The sheer number of eye drops available to patients is often overwhelming. Our network doctors have done their research and selected several types and brands of drops that are friendly to the surface of the eye but at the same time provide the relief patients are looking for. Eye drops vary in the type of lubricating agent they contain, how thick or viscous they are and if they have preservatives or not. Some of the more common brands we use include:
To optimize the oil glands of the eyelids often requires heating them and massaging them afterwards. This can be done at home using a heat mask and gentle massage, but for moderate to advanced cases, Lipiflow© is often used for a deeper cleanse of these important glands. Many eye doctors in the network offer the Lipiflow© treatment – use our doctor locator to find out which locations this innovative treatment is available.
Prescription eye drops are often required to treat and manage dry eye. Most commonly anti-inflammatory drops are used to bring down inflammation both in the short term and the long term. Three of the most common prescription eye drops include Restasis©, Xiidra© and Lotemax Gel©, and occasionally an oral antibiotic such as tetracycline is used for its anti-inflammatory properties.
The eyelids play a crucial role in keeping the eyes moist and comfortable. It is here that the meibomian glands produce oil that coats the surface of the eye. If there is debris along the eyelashes and the margin of the eyelid, this can impede the eyes natural oil production. Keeping this area clean goes a long way to keeping your eyes moist and comfortable.
Most times patients are required to make modifications to their home or work environments. That may include changing the humidity level at home, taking breaks from digital devices and sometimes even modifying dietary intake. Dietary supplements such as Omega 3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce the inflammatory impacts for dry eye and help boost the natural oil layer on the surface of the eye.
Your eye doctor will walk you through your fully customized treatment plan, explain each component and monitor you frequently to help ensure compliance and make changes as necessary.
A lot of my patients have seen great success in using a combination of scheduled in-practice treatments as well as daily, at home treatments to improve management of Dry Eye.
Dr. Jeff Goodhew
Oakville, ON
With advancing technology we now can image the damaged structures that can cause dry eye disease and recommend preventive measures to improve future eye health.
Dr. Trevor Miranda
Duncan, BC
Practicing with a focus on dry eye disease has allowed our patients to get appropriate and adequate care for a disease that has been under diagnosed for decades. Finally we have the tools and scientific support to get people the help they need to preserve their visual comfort.
Dr. Richard Maharaj
Brampton, ON
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