Dry Eye Specialists in York, Toronto
We are committed to providing you with healthy, clear and comfortable vision. We are proud to offer the Dry Eye Treatment Centre at Dr. Pink Sidhu and Associates. Our personalized treatment plans are tailored to your unique condition and lifestyle with the ultimate goal of helping you manage your condition.
Dry Eye is a long-term chronic disease that takes years to develop and may worsen if it left untreated.
Dry Eye occurs when the eye does not want to produce tears properly, or when the tears are not of the correct consistency or evaporate too quickly.
If you suffer from any of these symptoms you may benefit from a visit to our Dry Eye clinic:
- Dryness or sandy, gritty sensation
- Discomfort and irritation
- The feeling of a foreign body
- Redness
- Tiredness or heavy eyelid feeling
- Fluctuations in vision or
- Sensitivity to light
There are Primarily 3 Forms of Dry Eyes
Evaporative Dry Eye (MGD) +
The most common form of Dry Eye is the Evaporative form, which affects 8 out of 10 dry eye cases. That’s 80% of the dry eye sufferers. This is called meibomian gland dysfunction. This form results from a shortage of oil on the surface of your tears caused by a blockage in your eyelid (Meibomian) glands, leading to tears evaporating faster than normal. This lack of tear production, or inefficient tear formation, is often referred to as Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD). We can treat and manage Meibomian Gland dysfunction so that it doesn’t lead to meibomian gland atrophy which refers to the death and permanent loss of the meibomian glands.
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) is the most common cause of dry eyes. The Meibomian Glands are oil glands along your upper and lower eyelids. There are approximately 25-40 glands in the upper eyelid and 20-30 glands in the lower eyelids. These glands secrete meibum, an oil, onto the surface of your eye. This meibum layer forms the outer layer of the three tear layers. The oil acts as a lubricant and also prevents your tears from evaporating. When these glands malfunction, you may have low oil output or poor quality secretions and consequently suffer from dry eyes as a result of an unstable tear film. You might have heard of the terms Evaporative Dry Eye or Inflammatory Dry Eye. Meibomian gland dysfunction is a form of both.
What causes of meibomian gland dysfunction?
Blinking-When you blink, your upper and lower eyelids squeeze and touch each other, and this pressure causes the meibomian glands to express oil. This oil is vital for stable tear film. Unfortunately, with the added screen time, and use Of digital devices, many of us are partial blinkers, meaning that when we blink, our eyelids don’t actually touch each other.
Compounding this effect, when we read or stare at computer monitors, our blink rate also decreases.
Consequently, when we don’t have complete full closure blinks, our meibomian glands don’t get used; and subsequently when they don’t get used, the meibomian glands get clogged, backlogged and dysfunctional.
How do you treat this?
It is important to treat the underlying disease as early as possible. If left untreated, meibomian gland dysfunction can become meibomian gland atrophy, which can most likely cause permanent irreversible damage to your glands. Thus, leaving you powerless and living with a poor quality of life. Book an appointment with Dr. Pink Sidhu and Associates, to have your dry eye consultation.
The best treatment for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (where the oily layer of tears is deficient) is with Radiofrequency or IPL. This is where Divine Pro can help- It is color blind and allows it to be safely used on every skin pigmentation. This safe, effective procedure can give the best resolution of dry eye symptoms to those suffering from moderate to severe dry eyes due to MGD. Caution must be used on individuals with pacemakers.
Aqueous Deficient +
Aqueous Deficient Dry Eye occurs when the Lacrimal Glands do not create a sufficient amount of aqueous to keep the eyes moist. This layer makes up the bulk of your tear film
Combination Evaporative Dry eyes & Aqueous Deficiency
Tear Anatomy: Your Tears Consist of 3 Layers:
Mucus layer: It is the innermost and thinnest part of the tear film. It consists of mucin converts the hydrophobic corneal surface into a hydrophilic one to allow for the aqueous layer to adhere to the cornea.
Aqueous layer: It makes up the middle layer, and makes for the bulk of tear film. It is secreted by the main and accessory lacrimal glands. The tears mainly comprise of water and small quantities of solutes such as sodium chloride, sugar, urea, and proteins. It also contains antibacterial substances like lysozyme, beta-lysin, and lactoferrin. These solutes are what create a basic pH and salty taste.
Lipid or oily layer: It is the outermost layer of tear film formed by the secretions of Meibomian. This layer prevents the overflow of tears and slows their evaporation of tears. It helps to lubricate the eyelids as they slide over the surface of the cornea
The Function of the Tear Film:
- Keeps the cornea and conjunctiva moist
- Provides oxygen to the corneal epithelium
- Washes away debris and irritants
- Allows for clear vision
- Prevents infection due to the presence of antibacterial substances
- Tear film anatomy
We customize treatment plans specifically for you!
It is important to treat the underlying disease as early as possible. If left untreated, meibomian gland dysfunction can become meibomian gland atrophy, which can most likely cause permanent irreversible damage to your glands. Thus, leaving you powerless and living with a poor quality of life. Book an appointment with Dr. Pink Sidhu and Associates at Weston Eyecare Optical and Optometry, to have your dry eye consultation.
Dry Eye Punctal Plugs +
Punctal plugs are placed in the drainage channels of both eyelids to reduce the drainage of tears and allow for them to remain in the eyes. It is a popular choice for computer users and allows for the decreased use of lubricating eye drops.
Nutritional Supplements +
Supplementing with Omega-3 can decrease dry eye symptoms and the inflammation that is found in dry eyes. It is important to know that not all Omega-3 supplements are the same. The amount of the important ingredients (DHA and EHA) can be significantly different from one brand to another, and some forms of Omega-3 are made to absorb better in the body
Artificial Tear Supplements +
Artificial tears provide Dry Eye relief by lubricating and providing moisture to the surface of the eye. Artificial tears come in a variety of formulations, strengths and preservatives.
Depending on your dry eye condition, certain eye drops will work better than others. Preservative free eye drops are the best at relieving dry eye symptoms.
Restasis (Cyclosporine) +
Restasis (cyclosporine), a prescribed topical medicine that influences the lacrimal glands to produce more tears via increasing mucin production and decreasing inflammatory cells.
Prescription Pharmaceuticals +
Dry Eye is often caused by systemic inflammatory conditions. steroid-based drops are effective at treating the inflammatory condition by targeting the underlying inflammatory mediators in the eye. Steroid- Based eyedrops and/or Oral medications may be used to enhance therapeutic outcomes.
Blepharitis +
This is an inflammation of the eyelid. This inflammation is very common and easy to treat if picked up early. Eyelid inflammation leads to dry, uncomfortable eyes.
Meibomian Gland Expressions with Digital Heat +
The best treatment for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (where the oily layer of tears is deficient) is with Radiofrequency or IPL. This is where Divine Pro can help- It is color blind and allows it to be safely used on every skin pigmentation. This safe, effective procedure can give the best resolution of dry eye symptoms to those suffering from moderate to severe dry eyes due to MGD. Caution must be used on individuals with pacemakers.
Scleral Lenses +
Standard contacts can aggravate an extreme case of dry eye, making them almost unbearable to wear.
Scleral lenses leave a space between the surface of the cornea and the lens which acts like a tear reservoir, preventing moisture from evaporating and keeping the eye hydrated throughout the day.
Scleral lenses can also be used to treat high astigmatism and irregular corneal surfaces like keratoconus.
