Screening for Chronic Dry Eye Syndrome at our Dry Eye Clinic

At Options Eyecare we have a specialist Dry Eye Clinic with access to all the resources required to treat the various different types of Chronic Dry Eye Syndrome.

Dry eye syndrome is very common and can be caused by a variety of factors, so it’s only by discussing your symptoms and examining your eyes that we can determine the best treatment plan for your condition.

Book an assessment today to obtain your Treatment Package for Chronic Dry Eye Syndrome.

book an appointment

What Causes Dry Eyes?

This list is designed to give you an overview of several causes of dry eye syndrome but does not cover all known causes. If you are feeling any of the symptoms of dry eyes listed above, or are feeling any kind of discomfort in your eyes, please contact our optometrist to make an appointment or discuss your symptoms with us over the phone.

Dry Eye is categorised into two main types:

  1. Aqueous Tear Deficient Dry Eye (Sjögren Syndrome Dry Eye or non-SSDE): A failure of lacrimal tear secretion which can be due to disease or obstruction of the lacrimal glands.
  2. Evaporative Dry Eye: is due to excessive water loss from the exposed ocular surface and can have many causes.

Sjögren Syndrome Dry Eye is an exocrinopathy in which the lacrimal and salivary glands, as well as other organs, are targeted by an autoimmune disease. Non-SSDE may also result from obstruction of the lacrimal glands due to cicatrising conjunctivitis, reflex hyposecretion due to sensory or motor block, and the use of systemic drugs including antihistamines, beta-blockers, antispasmodics and diuretics.

Evaporative Dry Eye is due to excessive water loss from the exposed ocular surface in the presence of normal lacrimal secretory function. Its causes have been described as intrinsic and extrinsic, although the boundary between these two categories is inevitably blurred. Intrinsic EDE is where the regulation of evaporative loss from the tear film is directly affected, for example, by meibomian lipid deficiency, poor lid congruity and lid dynamics, low blink rate, and the effects of drugs such as systemic retinoids. Extrinsic EDE includes those aetiologies that increase evaporation by their pathological effects on the ocular surface. Causes include Vitamin A deficiency, the action of toxic topical agents such as preservatives, contact lens wear and a range of ocular surface diseases, including allergic eye disease.

  • Climate/Environmental: dry air & wind or low humidity environments (including air conditioning, forced air heating, high altitudes & air cabins)
  • Irritants: dust, cigarette smoke, pollution and chemical exposure
  • Ageing: tear production slows as we age
  • Menopause
  • Medical conditions: such as rheumatoid arthritis or Bell’s Palsy
  • Medications: many medications are known to cause dry eyes such as antihistamines, diuretics, beta blockers, antidepressants & oral contraceptives
  • Eye trauma: impact injury or burns
  • Infrequent blinking: staring with a fixed gaze for prolonged periods (at the television or computer screen) without blinking
  • Incomplete blinking
  • Nocturnal lagophthalmos: a condition where the eyes don’t fully blink and stay partially open at night
  • Recurrent corneal erosions: when the cornea and eye lid stick together at night
  • Eye surgery: vision correction/laser eye surgery, cataract surgery
  • Lifestyle: diet, smoking and consumption of diuretics without proper hydration

Looking at the symptoms and potential causes of dry eye syndrome will help determine if you may be suffering from a treatable condition. However, it is important to make an appointment to see one of our optometrists who will run a number of tests to accurately diagnose your condition. If autoimmune disease is suspected as a cause, blood tests may be required. Your optometrist will refer you to your GP to action this

Slit lamp exam/biomicroscopy: This exam allows our optometrist to see areas at the surface of the eye at a microscopic level, including the eyelids, conjunctiva, iris, lens, sclera, and cornea. The retina and optic nerve can also be seen.

Evaluation of the tear film: by putting a drop of sodium fluorescein (a yellow dye) into the eyes which mixes with the tears to give a clearer indication of the quality of tear film.

Evaluation of tear production: strips of filter paper placed between the lower lid and eye are used to measure tear production.

Utilising the Antares Keratograph, your optometrist will assess and record the extent of your dry eyes including Meibography, Tear Film quantification & qualification, Lipid Layer assessment and Red Eye assessment.

Looking at the symptoms and potential causes of dry eye syndrome will help determine if you may be suffering from a treatable condition. However, it is important to make an appointment to see one of our optometrists who will run a number of tests to accurately diagnose your condition.

Slit lamp exam/biomicroscopy: This exam allows our optometrist to see areas at the surface of the eye at a microscopic level, including the eyelids, conjunctiva, iris, lens, sclera, and cornea. The retina and optic nerve can also be seen.

Evaluation of the tear film: by putting a drop of sodium fluorescein (a yellow dye) into the eyes which mixes with the tears to give a clearer indication of the quality of tear film.

Our treatment action plans can include the following:

  • Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
  • Change of behaviour
  • Artificial Tears
  • Avoiding dry environments
  • Medications
  • Meibomian Gland Expression
  • Supplements
  • Antibacterial Eye Wipes
  • Antibacterial ointments
  • Punctal plugs
  • Surgery
  • Specialty Warm Compress Products

IPL Treatment for Dry Eyes

Bringing new hope to sufferers of Dry Eye Syndrome, Options Eyecare has been proud to offer IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) treatment for our patients since 2016.

Dry Eye syndrome is an irritating and variable condition, ranging from general eye discomfort to severe impacts upon daily activities and quality of life. It is aggravated by our modern lifestyles with many factors contributing to Dry Eyes: medications, screen work, air conditioning, pollution and even contact lenses.

Prior to the option of IPL treatment for dry eyes, there were only symptomatic treatments like artificial tears eye drops, warm compresses, or manual stimulation of the Meibomian glands. These treatments may offer temporary relief, but they do not help to target the root causes of your dry eye symptoms.
As a rapid, effective and affordable alternative to previous treatments, IPL uses pulsating waves of light to stimulate the malfunctioning Meibomian glands of the eye. It is these glands that, when healthy, secrete the lipid layer of the tear film that provides lubrication of the eye’s surface and prevents evaporation of the tear film.
After IPL treatment, immediate improvement is usually seen, and in as few as three sessions, substantial results can be obtained to reduce the effect of dry eyes*. Symptoms are reduced and the health and moisture of the eyes is improved, bringing comfort and relief from this painful condition for the longer term.

Source: Studies by E-Swin https://www.e-swin.com/medical-research/meibomian-blepharitis/

How much does it cost?

With the patient seated in a reclining chair, eye goggles are worn to protect the eyes. The eye area is cleaned and a protective gel applied to the skin below the eyes. Five flashes of light are applied under the lower eyelid on each eye. The process only takes a few minutes to complete.

IPL has been used in the cosmetic industry for 20 years, and the light flashed in the Dry Eye treatment is at less than half the strength than that used in, for example, pigmentation treatment. There is no risk of skin cancer from IPL because the light is filtered to ensure it is well outside dangerous limits. IPL is not suitable for people with certain health conditions (e.g. lupus, photosensitive epilepsy, pacemakers); our optometrists always screen for any contraindications as part of our informed consent process prior to considering IPL treatment.

Any  improvements  will  last  for about two weeks after the  first  treatment,  four  weeks  after  the  second  one, then for months afterwards. For optimum results four treatments are recommended as the effect is cumulative.

Scientifically Proven Efficacy

  1. Clinical trial in France 2012

Study on 150  patients  with  MGD,  Results  show  90% satisfaction rate after a series of 3 treatments on day 1, 15 and 45

  1. Clinical trial in New Zealand 2014
  2. Results at 45 days after 3 treatments
  • Significant improvement  in  the  Non-invasive tear break up time (NBUT) in the treated eye by not in the control
  • Significant improvement of the tear Lipid Layer Grade (LLG)
  • 86% of the participants noted reduced symptoms in the treated eye (SPEED Score)

E-Eye treatments cost $240 per session. Options Eyecare offer a discounted package of 4 treatments for $750 if paid in full in advance.