Assess Your Symptoms &
Get Started on Your Relief
Dry eye—also called dry eye syndrome or dry eye disease—is more than just a moment of dryness. It can be irritating, frustrating, and just plain annoying—and it’s common, affecting roughly 30% of Canadians. Not only is the condition growing, but it is becoming more common across all age groups as near vision demands and screentime increases.
To properly assess your symptoms and the severity of your dry eyes, we use specialized diagnostic technology.
Dry eye can make it more difficult to perform some activities, such as using a computer or reading for an extended period. And it can decrease tolerance for dry environments, such as an air-conditioned office or wearing contact lenses.
Once we determine what you need, we can proceed with your personalized treatment plan. This may involve at home or in office treatments or a combination of both. Dry eye disease is oftentimes chronic and may require a long term treatment plan to manage.
Common Dry Eye
Symptoms
There’s no denying that dry eyes are seriously uncomfortable. Your symptoms may appear in the following ways:
- Stinging or burning sensations
- Sandy or gritty feeling in the eye
- Excessive watering
- Stringy discharge from the eye
- Eye fatigue or heavy eyelids
- Blurred vision
- Inability to cry when emotionally stressed
- Contact lenses feel uncomfortable
- Difficulty with sustained visual attention (reading, computer work)
- Watery eyes
What Is Dry Eye?
When the eye does not produce enough tears, or your tears lack the correct consistency, you may have dry eye disease.
The parts of your tear film (your tears) must work in harmony to keep your eyes adequately lubricated. The layers of the tear film each have a distinct role:
- Mucin layer: the inner mucus layer keeps the tear film fixed to the eye.
- Aqueous layer: the watery middle layer hydrates & nourishes the eye.
- Lipid layer: the oily outer layer prevents your tears from evaporating too quickly & keeps the eye’s surface smooth.
When these layers are lacking or malfunction, dry eye symptoms appear.
What Causes Dry Eye?
Dry eye can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Aging
- Blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids)
- Environmental factors (pollution, weather)
- Extended computer use & digital eye strain
- Hormonal changes
- Alcohol
- Refractive surgery
- Contact lenses
- Certain medications
- Certain chronic conditions or diseases
Blepharitis & Demodex
Inflammation in the eye’s oil glands can lead to blepharitis, resulting in red, burning, irritated, and dry eyes. Demodex is a type of mite that lives in the follicles of the eyelashes and can also cause itching, redness, burning, sensitivity, and poor tear production.
Management and treatment options for blepharitis and Demodex will vary depending on your symptoms, but some treatments may include:
- Eyelid cleansers
- Warm compress
- Antibiotic ointments
- Artificial tears
- Steroid eye drops
- Oral antibiotics
- Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy
- ZEST (Zocular) debridement
How Foresee Eyecare Can Help
We acknowledge that dry eye syndrome is a chronic condition that requires addressing all components of the ocular surface. We want to bring you relief. Foresee Eyecare offers various in-office and at-home remedies tailored for each patient’s needs.
At-Home Strategies
Omega-3 Fatty Acids & Supplements
Some studies have found that omega-3 fatty acids can help maintain healthy vision. These mighty nutrients are found in fish oil and are easily packaged as supplements. We stock high-grade PRN Omega-3 supplements for your convenience.
Omega-3 fatty acids support our bodies in so many ways, including vision.
Bruder & BlephaEyebag Warm Eye Compress
Bruder Moist Heat Eye Compress masks is a natural way to alleviate dry eye symptoms. These masks feature patented MediBeads that continuously absorb and store water molecules from the air. When heated, the absorbed water converts into soothing, moist heat.
The moist heat helps unclog the meibomian glands (oil-producing glands) to improve tear production and keep your eyes naturally lubricated.
Your eyes will thank you with benefits like:
- Replenished surface moisture
- Reduced eyelid inflammation
- Safe for frequent use
- Self-hydrating, so no need to add water
- Anti-bacterial & non-allergenic
- Washable & reusable
Preservative-Free Artificial Tears & Eyelid Wipes
Preservative-free artificial tears and eyelid wipes are designed to provide temporary relief from irritation, wateriness, and burning.
Some types of artificial tears can be used as needed throughout the day to help keep your eyes moist and comfortable.
Eyelid wipes can be used to help manage the effects of dry eye by removing excess oils, bacteria, and debris from your eyelids.
In-Office Treatments
MiBo ThermoFlo
MiBo ThermoFlo is a therapeutic medical device providing a safe and effective remedy for dry eyes. It uses gentle heat to help break down hardened lipids and oil in the eyelid glands. The device is placed over the eyelids with ultrasound gel, then gently massages deep into the tissue.
This treatment can provide immediate relief and lasting benefits, and it’s often reported to be both healing and relaxing.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
Intense pulsed light (IPL) can help treat meibomian gland dysfunction and dry eye disease. Pulses of gentle light target the glands in the eyelids to help reduce inflammation, break down hardened oils, and improve moisture retention.
IPL can offer the following benefits:
- The process is safer & more gentle than laser treatments
- There is no post-treatment downtime
- Treatment is quick, taking only 10 minutes
IPL treatment can also offer aesthetic benefits as it can can tighten collagen in the skin and treat skin conditions such as age spots, redness, fine lines, & wrinkles.
Radiofrequency Treatment
Using a radiofrequency (RF) laser helps to reduce dry eye symptoms and treat meibomian gland dysfunction, a leading cause of dry eye.
As an added bonus, RF has been used to reduce wrinkles under the eyes in the aesthetic industry, so you may experience tighter skin after your dry eye treatment.
ZEST Eyelid Debridement
ZEST (Zocular Eyelid System Treatment) is a product designed to help with eyelid debridement and relieve dry eye symptoms. ZEST is like a deep shampoo that helps to remove bacteria and debris with gentle eyelid exfoliation.
The ZEST gel has refined okra extract to lift and clear oils. Using a clean cotton swab, your doctor will gently apply the gel in a circular motion, working the gel into a lather. Once the procedure is finished, your doctor will cleanse the treatment area with saline solution.
You should notice a difference fairly quickly. ZEST can help your eyes look and feel refreshed.
Visit Us for a Dry Eye Assessment &
Personalized Strategies
Don’t let your dry eye symptoms affect your vision and lifestyle. We can help you find the relief you need and set you up with a workable and customized solution.
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Our office can be found off of Major MacKenzie Drive West in the same plaza as the Medical Centre and Tim Hortons. The location of our office is 965 Major Mackenzie Dr. West, Units 3 & 4.
Hours of Operation
Our Address
- 965 Major Mackenzie Dr. West, Units 3 & 4
- Vaughan, ON L6A 4P8
Contact Information
- Phone: 289-553-EYES (3937)
- Fax: 289-553-3939
*Friday by appointment only.
**We are closed on the Saturdays of long weekends and holidays.
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Eye Care Services
Foresee Eyecare
- 965 Major Mackenzie Dr. West, Units 3 & 4
- Vaughan, ON L6A 4P8
- Phone: 289-553-EYES (3937)
- Fax: 289-553-3939