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Advanced Dry Eye Care
in Burnaby, British Columbia

Is dry eye making daily life difficult? Lucent Family Eye Care provides advanced and personalized dry eye treatments in Burnaby, New Westminster, Vancouver, Surrey, and surrounding areas. Our optometrists use cutting-edge technology to ensure each patient receives a tailored approach to their eye health.

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Home » Eye Care Services » Dry Eye

Are You Experiencing
These Dry Eye Symptoms?

Dry eye syndrome (DES), or dry eye disease, is a condition that occurs when tears are unable to provide adequate lubrication for the eyes. This can happen due to insufficient tear production or poor tear quality. Healthy tears are made up of three layers: oil, water, and mucus. Problems in any of these layers can cause tears to evaporate too quickly or not spread evenly over the cornea.

If any of the following sounds familiar, you may be suffering from DES. Take our dry eye questionnaire and book an appointment at Lucent Family Eye Care for a detailed evaluation.

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Stinging, burning, or scratchy sensation
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Stringy mucus in or around the eyes
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Sensitivity to light
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Redness of the eyes
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Feels like something is in your eye
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Difficulty wearing contact lenses
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Blurry vision after a long day
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Tired old senior business woman taking off glasses suffers from eyestrain, stress, headache, fatigue
Close up of red eye before and after treatment or eye drop. Tired eyes and contact lenses. Dry eye, depression, sick, virus, sleepy.

What Are The Causes
of Dry Eye Syndrome?

Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) occurs when the meibomian glands in the eyelids, which secrete oils essential for a healthy tear film, become clogged or malfunction. This disruption can lead to a deficiency in the oil layer of the tear film, causing tears to evaporate faster than normal and leading to dry, irritated eyes.

While MGD is a major contributor to dry eye syndrome, it is not the sole cause. Other factors that can cause or exacerbate dry eye include:

  • Age: Tear production decreases with age.
  • Environmental factors: Exposure to wind, dry air, and smoke can increase tear evaporation.
  • Hormonal changes: Hormonal shifts, especially in women due to pregnancy, menopause, or contraceptive use, can affect tear production.
  • Prolonged screen use: Reduced blinking from long periods of screen time can lead to quicker evaporation of tears.
  • Rosacea: Inflammation of the eyelids and meibomian glands disrupts the tear film and results in ocular surface dryness and irritation.
  • Medical conditions: Conditions like Sjögren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes can decrease tear production.
  • Medications: Certain medications can reduce tear secretion, including antihistamines, antidepressants, and some blood pressure drugs.
Overwork, stress. Asian businesswoman holding glasses feels pain, dry eyes or headache suffers from blurry poor vision.

Advanced Dry Eye Diagnosis
Firefly WDR Digital Anterior Segment and Meibography Slit Lamp

The Firefly WDR Digital Anterior Segment and Meibography Slit Lamp by Mediworks is an advanced diagnostic tool to enhance the evaluation of ocular surface conditions, particularly dry eye disease.

This state-of-the-art slit lamp combines wide dynamic range (WDR) imaging with high-definition digital capabilities, providing detailed visualization of the anterior segment of the eye.

One of its standout features is the meibography function, which allows for the non-invasive imaging of the meibomian glands. These precise images enable us to accurately diagnose meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), assess gland health, and monitor changes over time.

This comprehensive diagnostic tool aids in tailoring effective treatment plans for patients suffering from dry eye.

Slit Lamp
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Lucent Family Eye Care's
Dry Eye Treatments

After pinpointing the root causes of using our advanced diagnostic tools, our Burnaby team offers a range of targeted dry eye treatments to alleviate symptoms and enhance overall eye health. We focus on sustainable solutions that optimize tear production and quality, thereby restoring and maintaining the natural balance of your tear film and improving your visual comfort and eye health long-term. Our approach includes:

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InMode Lumecca Intense Pulse Light (IPL)
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Radiofrequency (Forma-i from Inmode)
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Medicated Eye Drops
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Heated Compresses
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Anti-Inflammatory and Medicated Eye Drops
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Manual Gland Expression
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Supplements

Envision by InMode

Lucent Family Eye Care's commitment to treating DES begins with thoroughly understanding each patient's unique situation. We delve into in-depth questions about your lifestyle and conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your eye health using the Envision by InMode system.

This advanced diagnostic tool employs imaging technology to assess the eye's surface accurately, enabling our optometrists to pinpoint the root causes of your dry eye condition. With these insights, we can develop treatment plans that are effective and personalized, ensuring we meet your specific needs and achieve the best possible outcomes.

InMode Lumecca IPL
Revolutionizing Dry Eye Care

InMode Lumecca Intense Pulse Light (IPL) treatment is a non-invasive therapy that uses light pulses to address inflammation and other underlying causes of dry eye syndrome. It primarily targets the meibomian glands responsible for producing the oily layer of the tear film. By improving the function of these glands, IPL treatment helps to stabilize the tear film, reduce tear evaporation, and alleviate symptoms of dry eye, thereby promoting healthier and more comfortable eyes.

Improving Tear Film Stability with
InMode's Forma-i Radiofrequency

Radiofrequency treatment using Forma-i from InMode primarily focuses on improving the function of the meibomian glands in the eyelids. This non-invasive treatment applies controlled radiofrequency energy to gently heat the eyelid tissues. The heat helps to unclog the oil glands, promoting better secretion and quality of the oils that form part of the tear film. This in turn helps to stabilize the tear film, reduce tear evaporation, and alleviate the symptoms of dry eye syndrome.

Close up of red eye before and after treatment or eye drop. Tired eyes and contact lenses. Dry eye, depression, sick, virus, sleepy.

Dry Eye Questions?
View Our FAQ Section

Are you looking for more information about dry eye? See our FAQ section, where our team answers common questions. If you need more personalized guidance, book a consultation at Lucent Family Eye Care for a detailed evaluation with our Burnaby eye doctors.

How are watery eyes related to dry eye?

Watery eyes can paradoxically be a symptom of dry eye. This occurs because the dryness on the eye's surface sometimes triggers an overproduction of the watery component of tears as a reflex response to irritation. However, these tears are not effective in properly lubricating the eye, leading to a cycle of dryness and excessive tearing.

Is there a cure for dry eye disease?

Currently, there is no cure for dry eye syndrome; however, numerous treatments are available that can help manage the symptoms effectively. Treatments vary depending on the underlying cause and severity of the condition. The goal of treatment is to restore the normal function of the tear film to improve eye comfort and health.

How does a reduced blink rate contribute to DES?

When using digital devices, our blink rate typically decreases by about 66%, significantly increasing the risk of developing DES. Blinking is essential for maintaining eye health as it replenishes and spreads the tear film evenly across the surface of the eye. A reduced blink rate means the tear film is less frequently renewed, leading to dryness. Additionally, incomplete blinking can leave dry spots on the cornea, further exacerbating discomfort. Incorporating regular blinking exercises can help mitigate these symptoms.

Can you protect your eyes from dry eye when using digital devices?

Here are a few tips that may help you combat symptoms of DES when using a digital device:

  • Take frequent blink breaks
  • Follow the 20-20-20 rule
  • Use a cool-mist humidifier near your workstation
  • Avoid having a fan or air conditioner blow air directly into your face
  • Stay hydrated with water, fresh fruit or vegetable juices, milk or soups
  • Eat water-based dairy foods such as yogurts, smoothies, and oatmeal
  • Use artificial tears or prescription eye drops if necessary
Can LASIK eye surgery cause dry eyes?

Yes, LASIK surgery can lead to dry eyes. During the procedure, the creation of the corneal flap can disrupt the nerves in the cornea, temporarily decreasing tear production. Many patients experience dry eye symptoms following LASIK, but these symptoms are usually temporary and can be managed effectively with treatments such as artificial tears and other dry eye therapies.

What are the risk factors for post-LASIK dry eye?

Several factors can increase the risk of developing dry eye after LASIK surgery. These include:

  • Pre-existing dry eye symptoms
  • Being female (due to hormonal influences)
  • Older age
  • Certain medications

Additionally, environmental factors and screen time can exacerbate dry eye symptoms post-LASIK. Patients should discuss their eye health history with their surgeon to assess their risk and manage it appropriately.

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    We're excited to introduce the revolutionary radiofrequency technology, Forma-i from Inmode, along with intense pulsed light therapy using Lumecca-i from Inmode to treat dry eyes.
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    Take the DEQ-5 Dry Eye Questionnaire to assess the symptoms of your eyes that could be hindering the quality of your vision.