DRY EYE
Dry Eye (also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca) occurs when the eyes fail to produce enough tears or when tears evaporate too quickly, causing discomfort and potential damage. Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) is a primary cause of evaporative dry eye, affecting about 86% of those with dry eye, but it is treatable.
The meibomian glands, located in the eyelids, secrete oil to form the top layer of the tear film, preventing rapid evaporation. In MGD, these glands become blocked or produce thickened, insufficient oil, disrupting the tear film. This imbalance leads to dryness, irritation, blurred vision, and a gritty sensation.
Our Dry Eye Program
Step 1: Assessment
Comprehensive Dry Eye Assessment 40-60minutes. We assess the severity and underlying cause of your dry eye through a series of tests, ensuring an accurate diagnosis and enabling the development of an effective treatment plan.
Step 2: Treatment
Our dry eye treatment options include artificial tears, prescription eye drops, warm compression, eyelid hygiene, omega-3 supplements, and advanced therapies like Forma-1 radio frequency or intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy, tailored to address specific causes and improve symptoms.
Step 3: Action Plan
Your optometrist will create an action plan based on your dry eye assessment results. Some cases may have straightforward solutions. For moderate to severe dry eye, advanced treatments like Forma-1 or Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) may be recommended, which typically require an initial course of 4 treatments for optimal results.
Step 4: Management
We empower you to manage dry eye at home with preventative methods, supplements, and lifestyle changes. For Forma-1 or IPL, after an initial course of 4 treatments, follow-up exams and treatments may be recommended every 6 to 12 months to maintain the best possible outcomes.
Assessment
At HC EYECARE, our Dry Eye Assessment is a thorough 40 to 60-minute consultation designed to accurately diagnose the nature of your dry eyes.
During this session, we perform a detailed evaluation of your tear film. Our Dry Eye Test includes:
- A quantitative assessmentand digital record (including images and video) of your tear film break-up time.
- A Meibomian gland quality test.
- An eye redness and lipid quality test.
- A slit lamp examinationto evaluate the health of both the outer and inner
To track your progress over time, we also capture multiple baseline photographs and scans. This in-depth approach helps us identify the root causes of your symptoms, ensuring a personalised treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
Treatment Options
We are the ONLY dry eye specialist clinic in Melbourne combining Bi-Polar Radio Frequency with Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy, an advanced, effective approach that further enhances the treatment of dry eye and promotes long-lasting relief.
Inmode Forma-I - radio-frequency (RF)
What is Forma-1?
Forma-1 is a radio frequency (RF) treatment that uses thermal energy to stimulate collagen production and improve the function of the meibomian glands in the eyelids. These glands are essential for producing the oily layer of tears, which prevents evaporation and keeps the eyes moist.
How Does Forma-1 Treat Dry Eye?
- Thermal Stimulation: The RF energy gently heats the eyelids to liquefy clogged oils in the meibomian glands.
- Collagen Stimulation: Promotes skin elasticity around the eyes and enhances gland functionality.
- Improved Tear Stability: Restores the lipid layer of tears, reducing evaporation and alleviating dry eye symptoms.
How Does the Treatment Feel?
- Comfortable and Gentle: Most patients describe the treatment as a warming sensation on the eyelids, similar to a hot stone massage.
- Quick Procedure: Each session typically lasts 15-30 minutes, with no pain or significant discomfort.
What is the Recovery Time?
- Minimal Downtime: Most patients can resume normal activities immediately after treatment.
- Aftercare: Apply sunscreen if advised and avoid excessive sun exposure to protect the skin around the eyes.
Forma-1 is a highly effective and non-invasive option for managing dry eye caused by meibomian gland dysfunction, offering both symptomatic relief and long-term improvement in tear quality.
Lumecca-I -- Intense pulsed light (IPL)
What is Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)?
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is a non-invasive treatment that uses light energy to target and treat the root causes of dry eye disease, particularly meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). It delivers broad-spectrum light to the skin around the eyes, promoting the natural expression of oils from the meibomian glands, improving tear quality.
How Does IPL Treat Dry Eye?
- Targeting Meibomian Glands: The IPL light pulses penetrate the skin around the eyes, heating the meibomian glands and helping to liquefy thickened oils that obstruct the glands.
- Stimulating Oil Production: The treatment helps restore normal gland function, leading to better production of the oily layer of tears that prevents evaporation.
- Reducing Inflammation: IPL reduces inflammation around the eyes, which is common in dry eye disease, improving overall eye comfort.
How Does the Treatment Feel?
- Slight Sensation: Most patients feel a mild, warm sensation when the light pulses are applied to the skin. Some may feel a light snap, similar to the sensation of a rubber band being flicked against the skin.
- Painless: IPL is typically not painful, although some mild discomfort or warmth may occur, especially during the initial treatment.
- Duration: Each session lasts around 15-20 minutes.
What is the Recovery Time?
- Minimal Downtime: Recovery is usually quick, with most patients resuming normal activities immediately after treatment.
- Aftercare: Protect the treated area from direct sun exposure, and follow any specific aftercare instructions provided by your practitioner (e.g., applying sunscreen or avoiding makeup around the eyes for 24 hours).
IPL has proven effective for treating dry eye symptoms caused by meibomian gland dysfunction, providing long-lasting relief and improving overall eye health. Multiple treatments, typically spaced a few weeks apart, are usually recommended for optimal results.
The Zocular® EYELID SYSTEM TREATMENT
What is Zocular Eyelid System Treatment?
The Zocular® Eyelid System is a professional in-office treatment designed to address dry eye disease and blepharitis by improving eyelid hygiene.
How it treats dry eye and blepharitis:
- Cleanses eyelids, removing bacteria, oils, and debris contributing to blepharitis with an Okra plant complex to exfoliate and restore the natural health of the eyelids.
- Unclogs meibomian glands, improving the oil layer of the tear film and reducing dry eye symptoms.
- Reduces inflammation, easing redness and swelling associated with blepharitis.
How Does the Treatment Feel?
- Zocular® solutionapplied to eyelids feels gently warm.
- Heat treatment helps loosen blockages in meibomian glands.
- Light massage on eyelids is soothing and helps stimulate oil production.
What is the Recovery Time?
- No downtime; return to normal activities immediately.
- Mild redness or irritation may occur but typically resolves within a few hours.
The Zocular® Eyelid System Treatment is a quick, advanced procedure that uses biochemistry to effectively remove biofilm without damaging surrounding tissue. This process helps the meibomian glands release oils that stabilise the tear film, alleviating dryness and reducing inflammation.
Melbourne’s only provider of InMode Forma technology
TGA-approved for effective dry eye treatment
Proven results for lasting dry eye relief
Non-invasive with a high success rate
Action Plan
At HC EYECARE, we understand that each patient’s needs are unique, which is why we create a customised Dry Eye Action Plan just for you. We tailor your treatment based on the root cause of your condition.
For Forma-1 and IPL treatments, the initial course typically requires 4 treatments, spaced 3–4 weeks apart.Below is our standard dry eye action plan, which may be adjusted based on individual needs and specific conditions.
Day 1: Assessment
Day 2: First session of forma-1 and IPL followed by Meibomian gland expression
Week 4 Second session of forma-1 and IPL followed by Meibomian gland expression
Week 8 Third session of forma-1 and IPL followed by Meibomian gland expression
Week 12 Fourth session of forma-1 and IPL followed by Meibomian gland expression
Tracking Progression: After each treatment session, we will assess your symptoms and track progress to ensure the treatments are effective in managing your dry eye condition.
Management
What happens after your initial treatment?
After your initial Forma-1 and IPL treatments, several key steps follow to ensure continued progress and optimal results:
Immediate Effects:
- You may experience some mild redness or slight irritation in the treated area, but this typically resolves within a few hours.
- Some patients feel immediate relief from dryness, while others may notice gradual improvement over the following days as the glands start to function better.
Ongoing Maintenance:
After the initial treatment series, maintenance sessions are often scheduled every 6 to 12 months to preserve the results, maintain healthy tear production, and prevent symptom recurrence.
Home Care
Your optometrist will provide you with home care instructions based on your dry eye causes. This may include recommendations for eyelid hygiene, lubricating drops, Omega-3 Supplements and lifestyle adjustments to support your treatment.
dry eye
Frequently Asked Questions
Dry eye symptoms include a dry, gritty or burning sensation in the eyes, redness, watery or teary eyes and mucus that make the eyes feel “glued shut” after sleeping. Many people also report the feeling of something in the eye or eyestrain. Itching and light sensitivity may also occur.
All treatments are performed right in your healthcare professional’s office. As a result, there is no general anesthesia, no incisions, or downtime that is associated with excisional interventions. Most patients find the treatments very comfortable. Your eye care provider will discuss in detail with you the specifics of your customised treatment plan and how it will address your individual condition including the number of required sessions.
Most patients do not experience any side effects and any skin reaction typically resolves within a few hours. There is no recovery period or downtime associated with these procedures.
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