DRY EYE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the symptoms of Dry Eyes?

• Dry, gritty or irritated eyes

• Red and sore eyes

• Burning and stinging eyes

• Watery eyes

• Itchy eyes

• Foreign body sensation

• Crusty or gunky eyelids

• Blurred vision that comes and goes

• Discomfort at the end of the day

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What causes Dry Eyes?

Dry Eyes is a chronic condition that occurs when your tears aren't able to provide adequate lubrication for your eyes. Your tear film is important for keeping the eye moist. If the eye stops producing enough tears or if the tears evaporate too quickly, this can cause dry, gritty and irritated eyes. 

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What are the different types of Dry Eyes?

The most common type of Dry Eyes is "Meibomian Gland Dysfunction" (MGD), which accounts for 80% of all dry eye problems. Meibomian glands are oil glands found on the eyelid that secrete oil into the tearfilm to stabilise the tear film to keep the surface moist and hydrated. However, the oil secreted can become thick, cloudy and gluggy so much so that the glands can become blocked. When the glands become blocked the build up of oil in the tear film cause the tears to evaporate quicker, causing dry eyes. In severe MGD the glands become atrophic (death of the glands) and there is no way for the oil glands to grow back and restore its function. 

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Another common cause of Dry Eyes is Blepharitis, which is infection or inflammation of the eyelid margin. This condition usually causes gritty, crusty and gunky debris on the eyelid and eyelashes. The bacteria built up on the eyelids release toxins into the tear film that cause the burning and stinging sensation in Dry Eyes.

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Another type of Dry Eyes is Aqueous Deficient Dry Eyes, this is when there is dryness due to reduced tear secretion by the lacrimal gland. The lacrimal gland is responsible for creating the tears, but if it is unable to create an adequate volume of tears, there is simply not enough tears to keep the eye hydrated. This type of dry eye typically occurs in elderly patients or patients with immune diseases, such as Sjögren's syndrome. This type of Dry Eyes is usually severe and typically requires a combination of treatments.

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Other causes of Dry Eyes include:

• Contact lens wear as contact lenses can alter tear film stability meaning the tears evaporate quicker.

• Medical conditions such as arthritis, thyroid problems as these conditions can alter tear production.

• Certain medications can cause dry eye including the contraceptive pill and Roaccutane.

• Age plays a large factor as the level of tear production decreases as we get older.

• Hormonal changes in pregnancy and menopause can reduce tear production.

• Lifestyle factors such as increased screen time on digital devices reduce our blink rate by 50% which means we don't rewet our eyes as regularly.

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Can you cure Dry Eyes?

Dry eye is a progressive, usually chronic condition that can not be cured. However, in saying that there are now innovative dry eye treatment options available that can give patients relief of their symptoms.

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What is the treatment for Dry Eyes?

There are many treatments available for Dry Eyes with the emerging technology and advancements in Dry Eye research. However, many patients do not know this is the case as there is not a lot of information about this in mainstream media. We offer Gold Coast's leading dry eye treatments at Eyecare Plus Mermaid Beach. Our optometrists recommend combination if you have moderate to severe Dry Eyes. Combination of Inmode Envision and Rexon-Eye Dry Eye Treatment has shown to be the best way to treat Dry Eyes and reduce the discomfort and inconvenience it often causes. Dry Eyes is a progressive disease, so early diagnosis and treatment is important to maintain the health of your meibomian and lacrimal glands, otherwise your Dry Eyes will likely worsen over time.

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Am I suitable for Dry Eyes treatment?

Most patients are suitable for dry eye treatment. We have more than one treatment option so most of the time our optometrist would be able to recommend the best option for you.

There are a few conditions that may make you unsuitable for a particular dry eye treatment (and our optometrist will be able to pick the most suitable option for your individual circumstances):

• If you have a pacemakers or implanted device.

• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

• If you are currently undergoing cancer treatment.

• If you have undergone eye surgery in the last month.

• If you have had a spray tan or taking photosensitive medications in the last 4 weeks.

• If you have taken Isotretinoin in the last 6 months.

• If you have systemic lupus, epilepsy, urticaria.

• If you have a history of skin issues like vitiligo, keloids, abnormal wound healing.             

• If you have a history of excessive UV exposure in last 2 weeks.                            

• If you have face tattooing or permanent makeup.

• If you have metal plates, implants around your eye or face.

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Inmode Envision Dry Eye Treatment

Eyecare Plus Mermaid Beach is the first optometrist in Australia to offer Inmode Envision Dry Eye Treatment and is the only practice on the Gold Coast to offer this revolutionary treatment.
Inmode Envision treats the cause of Dry Eyes, not just the symptoms. It combines Bipolar Radiofrequency technology and Intense Pulse Light to treat Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, the most common cause of Dry Eyes. The Inmode Envision Dry Eye Treatment uses Forma-I: Radiofrequency (RF) to deliver heat and gentle pressure to ‘melt’ the oils clogging your glands and allows the oils to be expressed. In addition, it uses Lumecca-I: Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) to interrupt the dry eye inflammatory cycle and stimulate the meibomian glands in order for them to return to their normal function to produce more oils. The Inmode Envision Dry Eye Treatment is the most advanced treatment for Dry Eyes available in Australia.

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Rexon-Eye Dry Eye Treatment

Our dry eye clinic offers Gold Coast's first Rexon-Eye machine, the newest dry eye innovation that uses electric stimulation to treat dry eye and meibomian gland dysfunction. Rexon-Eye uses the innovative patented Quantum Molecular Resonance (QMR) to stimulate the tear producing lacrimal gland and oil producing meibomian glands with a low power but high-frequency electric therapy treatment. The treatment is capable of stimulating the metabolism and natural regeneration of cells which allows the lacrimal glands to produce more tears and the meibomian glands to produce more oil to keep the tear film healthy and hydrated. Rexon-Eye treats meibomian gland dysfunction and stimulates the lacrimal gland to produce healthier tears which relieves dry eye symptoms.

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IPL Dry Eye Treatment

 Our dry eye clinic offers IPL to treat Meibomian Gland Dysfunction which is the most common cause of dry eye. It generates Intense Regulated Pulsed Light by producing perfectly calibrated and homogeneously sequenced light pulses. The sculpted pulses are delivered under the shape of a train of pulses. The energy, spectrum and time period are precisely set to stimulate the meibomian glands in order for them to return their normal function. IPL can help relieve symptoms associated with meibomian gland dysfunction, blepharitis, ocular rosacea, styes, chalazion and dry eye. 

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BlephEx Blepharitis Treatment

BlephEx, the most advanced treatment for blepharitis, is a in-office procedure performed by our optometrist. The treatment thoroughly and precisely eliminates the scurf and bacterial debris, the main causes of inflammatory eyelid disease. We can now take an active role in treating blepharitis and dry eye instead of simply relying on at home remedies.

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Blephasteam Dry Eye Therapy

The Blephasteam Dry Eye Therapy is a unique medical device that delivers controlled moisture levels and heat therapy to help relieve symptoms associated with dry eye. Blephasteam provides electronically controlled moisture and heat therapy to unblock the meibomian glands.

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What should I expect during Dry Eyes treatment?

All our dry eye treatments are non-invasive. This means the treatments are well tolerated by most patients. After the treatment, your optometrist will perform a meibomian gland expression where they will unblock the oil glands to allow your natural oils to flow freely. We will use numbing eyedrops during treatment to make you comfortable.

 

What should I expect after Dry Eyes treatment?

You may experience:

• Slight blurred vision for 15 minutes up to 60 minutes

• Redness 

• Tender eyelids

• Eyelid swelling

• Crusting on skin or lashes

• Bruising 

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How to care for your Dry Eyes at Home?

You can treat Dry Eyes at home by following the below steps.

Ocusoft Lid Scrub

Wash your eyelashes and eyelids twice a day with the Ocusoft cleanser to remove bacteria, allergens and excess oils.

Avenova Eyelid and Eyelash Spray

Spray Avenova onto a cotton pad and wipe eyelids 1-3 times a day to remove bacteria allergens and excess oils. 

D.E.R.M Eye Mask 

Hot compress with D.E.R.M Eye Mask over eyes for 15 minutes on a daily basis. This will help soften the oils in the Meibomian Glands and help prevent oil gland blockages on the eyelids.

Dry Eye Forte Supplements

Take 1-3 Dry Eye Forte supplements a day to help with systemic production of oils in the Meibomian Glands that are important in keeping the tear film healthy.

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For more information about our Gold Coast Dry Eye Clinic or to book a dry eye assessment please call (07)55261400 to book an appointment.