Dry Eye Treatment in Saskatoon

The health of your tears plays a big role in preventing dry eye! Unlike emotional or reflex tears that flow when you stub your toe or have a good laugh, basal tears form a tear film that sticks around 24/7.

Your basal tears have 3 layers: lipid (oil), liquid (water), and mucin (mucus). When the glands responsible for producing these tear components aren’t functioning properly or become inflamed, dry eye can occur.

Inflammation and other dry eye symptoms can also be caused by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).

When the glands that line your eyelids get inflamed, it can lead to meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). This condition can disrupt tear production by reducing the oils, making the watery layer dry up.

With MGD, the oils produced by your meibomian glands can get thick and clog the glands. This can result in inflammation and dry eye symptoms like watery eyes, eye irritation, and that a scratchy sensation.

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek treatment. Our team can help you manage MGD through IPL therapy and LipiFlow.

At-Home Treatments for Dry Eye

In-Office & Chronic Treatments for Dry Eye

If your dry eye symptoms are more serious and at-home therapies just aren’t cutting it, you’re in luck because we offer a wide range of in-office and chronic treatments. Treatment options will depend on your dry eye symptoms, their severity, and the results of our team’s consultations and assessments. 

Our options for chronic dry eye include:

• Prescription medications
• Punctal plugs
• Scleral contact lenses
• Serum drops
• Amniotic membranes
• Thermal cautery
• ZEST Treatment

We can also combine potential treatment options such as RF, LipiFlow, and IPL therapy to treat dry eyes and MGD.

What Is ZEST?

ZEST (Zocular Eyelid System Treatment) is an in-office procedure targeting dry eye at its source—clogged meibomian glands in your eyelids. These glands produce oils that help keep tears stable, but they can become clogged with debris and disrupted by inflammation. ZEST uses a gentle gel and applicator to:

• Exfoliate your lid line, helping clear tear glands by removing debris and biofilm buildup from your eyelids and lashes.
• Reduce inflammation to promote better gland function.

The ZEST procedure takes about 15 minutes, and we recommend a treatment once every 6 months.

What to Expect with ZEST

• Treatment Time: 15 minutes total
• Downtime: Minimal*
• Level of Discomfort: Minimal*
• Procedure: You’ll be comfortably seated while we use a sterile applicator with ZEST gel to gently remove debris from your eyelids.
• Skin Types: All
• Recommended frequency: Once every 6 months

*For many people, there’s no downtime or discomfort associated with ZEST, but everyone’s experience can vary. We can help you learn more about what to expect during your next visit.

What Is LipiFlow?

LipiFlow uses thermal heat to treat chronic and severe symptoms of MGD. It uses thermal pulsation to help unclog and express the glands rather than a doctor doing it manually. After the treatment, the meibomian glands gradually start to re-produce oil again except this time, the quality is improved since all the cloggages were removed. It takes about 8 weeks before you start noticing the effects of the procedure.

LipiFlow is considered noninvasive and safe, as there are essential no contraindications.

What to Expect with LipiFlow

• Treatment Time: 15 minutes total
• Downtime: None 
• Level of Discomfort: None
• Procedure: An anesthetic drop is put in the eye, and then a cornea shield is put in place. The thermal applicators heat the upper and lower eyelids.
• Skin Types: All
• Frequency: Once a year

What Is Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)?

Intense pulsed light (IPL) uses light energy to target blood vessels. It can help reduce the inflammation associated with MGD as well as unclogging the glands to improve their function. It’s actually one of the only treatments that may help regenerate the meibomian glands and addresses the cause of dry eye syndrome.

IPL can also stimulate collagen production for aesthetic benefits, such as reducing the look of fine lines and wrinkles, acne and acne scars, sun damage, dark circles around the eyes, melasma, chalazions, and rosacea. If you would like to treat other areas of your face or neck with IPL in addition to your dry eye treatment, we can do this for an additional fee. At Kennedy Eye Clinic, we use the Lumecca IPL by Inmode. It has Health Canada approval to treat dry eye syndrome.

What to Expect with IPL

• Treatment Time: 15–20 minutes total 
• Downtime: Some redness around the treatment area for 1 hour after 
• Level of Discomfort: It feels like you are being flicked by an elastic band. Post-procedure, there is gland expression done by the doctor, which may be uncomfortable for some but is not considered painful.
• Procedure: Ultrasound gel is put on and around the treatment area, and UV protection is provided. Sometimes an anesthetic drop is put in the eye, and then a cornea shield is put in place.
• Skin Types: Fitzpatrick skin types 1–3, sometimes 4
• Frequency: 4 treatments spaced 2–3 weeks apart to start, then 1–2 maintenance visits per year.

What Is Radiofrequency (RF)?

Radiofrequency (RF) heats up the meibomian glands to help provide immediate relief to clogged glands and improves function. This noninvasive treatment works by sending radiofrequency energy to the skin tissues. The skin’s natural resistance to the energy currents generates heat. Because of this temperature increase, it promotes tissue remodeling, increased blood circulation and detoxification.

RF can help help rejuvenate and tighten skin., reducing fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots around the eyes. We can add on other parts of the face or neck for an additional fee. At Kennedy Eye Clinic, we use the Forma RF by Inmode. This bipolar device has Health Canada approval to treat dry eye syndrome and doesn’t require putting corneal shields in.

What to Expect with RF

• Treatment Time: 30 minutes total
• Downtime: None except for some redness around the treatment area for an hour after
• Level of Discomfort: None during treatment. Post-procedure there is gland expression done by the doctor, which may be uncomfortable for some but is not considered painful.
• Procedure: A gel is placed on and around your eyes. 
• Skin Types: All
• Frequency: To start, 4 treatments spaced 2 weeks apart. Then, 2–3 visits a year after for maintenance. The frequency may be less if coupled with IPL treatments.

LipiFlow and RF have similar outcomes for dry eye, but LipiFlow is only 1 visit a year while RF is multiple.

What Is Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT)?

Kennedy Eye Clinic is proud to offer low-level light therapy (LLLT) as part of our comprehensive eye care services. LLLT uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to deliver gentle energy to eye tissues.

LLLT can help stimulate your meibomian glands, responsible for producing the oils that keep your eyes lubricated, and help reduce dryness, irritation, and discomfort. At Kennedy Eye Clinic, we use LLLT technology from Celluma International. 

LLLT can also be used for various aesthetic applications, promoting a more youthful appearance.

What to Expect with LLLT

• Treatment time: 10 to 20 minutes depending on targeted area and treatment goals.
• Downtime: LLLT is not invasive so does not require any downtime. 
• Level of discomfort: You might feel a slight warmth on the treated area during the session but should not experience any discomfort. 
• Procedure: A technician will position a handheld or panel LLLT device close to the targeted area, typically around your eyes for dry eye treatment.
• Skin types: LLLT is suitable for all skin types.
• Frequency: The frequency of LLLT treatments will vary depending on your individual needs and the condition being addressed.