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DRY EYE CLINIC

Orthokeratology: Services

Eyecare Plus Mermaid Beach Optometrists have a dedicated Dry Eye Clinic where we take a preventative approach to the treatment of Dry Eyes on the Gold Coast. Our Ethos is to treat the cause of Dry Eyes, not just the symptoms.

Eyecare Plus Mermaid Beach offers you all the leading dry eye treatments so you can improve your Dry Eyes.

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Do you have:

  • Dry, gritty or irritated eyes?

  • Red and sore eyes?

  • Burning and stinging eyes?

  • Watery eyes?

  • Itchy eyes?

  • Foreign body sensation?

  • Crusty or gunky eyelids?

  • Blurred vision that comes and goes?

  • Discomfort at the end of the day?

If you answered yes, you most likely have "Dry Eyes".

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What causes Dry Eyes?

Dry Eyes is a chronic condition that occurs when your tears aren't able to provide adequate lubrication for your eyes. Your tear film is important for keeping the eye moist. If the eye stops producing enough tears or if the tears evaporate too quickly, this can cause dry, gritty and irritated eyes. 

The most common type of dry eyes is "Meibomian Gland Dysfunction" (MGD), which accounts for 80% of all dry eye problems. Meibomian glands are oil glands found on the eyelid that secrete oil into the tear film to stabilise the tear film to keep the surface moist and hydrated. However, the oil secreted can become thick, cloudy and gluggy so much so that the glands can become blocked. When the glands become blocked there is a reduction in oil in the tear film which causes the tears to evaporate quicker, causing Oil Deficient Dry Eyes. In severe MGD the glands become atrophic (death of the glands) and there is no way for the oil glands to restore its function.

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Another common cause of Dry Eyes is Blepharitis, which is infection or inflammation of the eyelid margin. This condition usually causes gritty, crusty and gunky debris on the eyelid and eyelashes. The bacteria and allergens built up on the eyelids release toxins and allergens into the tear film that cause the burning, stinging and itchy sensation in Dry Eyes.

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Another type of Dry Eyes is Aqueous Deficient Dry Eyes, this is when there is dryness due to reduced tear secretion by the lacrimal gland. The lacrimal gland is responsible for creating the tears, but if it is unable to create an adequate volume of tears, there is simply not enough tears to keep the eye hydrated. This type of dry eye typically occurs in elderly patients or patients with immune diseases, such as Sjögren's syndrome. This type of Dry Eyes is usually severe and typically requires a combination of treatments.

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Other causes of Dry Eyes include:

  • Contact lens wear as contact lenses can alter tear film stability meaning the tears evaporate quicker

  • Medical conditions such as arthritis, thyroid problems as these conditions can alter tear production

  • Certain medications can cause Dry Eyes, including the contraceptive pill and Roaccutane

  • Age plays a large factor as the level of tear production decreases as we get older

  • Hormonal changes in pregnancy and menopause can reduce tear production

  • Lifestyle factors such as increased screen time on digital devices reduce our blink rate by 50% which means we don't rewet our eyes as regularly

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What is the Treatment of Dry Eyes?

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Eyecare Plus Mermaid Beach is the first optometrist in Australia to offer Inmode Envision Dry Eye Treatment and is the only practice on the Gold Coast to offer this revolutionary treatment.
Inmode Envision treats the cause of Dry Eyes, not just the symptoms.
It combines Bipolar Radiofrequency technology and Intense Pulse Light to treat Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, the most common cause of Dry Eyes. The Inmode Envision Dry Eye Treatment uses Forma-I: Radiofrequency (RF) to deliver heat and gentle pressure to ‘melt’ the oils clogging your glands and allows the oils to be expressed. In addition, it uses Lumecca-I: Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) to interrupt the dry eye inflammatory cycle and stimulate the meibomian glands in order for them to return to their normal function to produce more oils. The Inmode Envision Dry Eye Treatment is the most advanced treatment for Dry Eyes available in Australia.

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Our clinic offers Gold Coast's first Rexon-Eye machine, a dry eye innovation that uses electric stimulation to treat Dry Eyes and meibomian gland dysfunction. Rexon-Eye uses the innovative patented Quantum Molecular Resonance (QMR) to stimulate the tear producing lacrimal gland and oil producing meibomian glands with a low power but high-frequency electric therapy treatment. The treatment is capable of stimulating the metabolism and natural regeneration of cells which allows the lacrimal glands to produce more tears and the meibomian glands to produce more oil to keep the tear film healthy and hydrated. The Rexon-Eye Dry Eye Treatment provides great relief for many dry eye patients.

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Our optometrists recommend combination dry eye treatments for moderate to severe Dry Eyes. Combination of Inmode Envision and Rexon-Eye Dry Eye Treatment is our best option to treat Dry Eyes and reduce the discomfort and inconvenience it often causes. Dry Eyes is a progressive disease, so early diagnosis and treatment is important to maintain the health of your meibomian and lacrimal glands, otherwise your Dry Eyes will likely worsen over time.

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Below are the services we offer at our Dry Eye Clinic:

  • Dry Eye Assessment, Treatment and Management

  • Corneal Topography (assessment of tear film quality)

  • Meibography (assessment of meibomian gland atrophy)

  • Tear Evaporation Testing

  • Tear Volume Testing

  • Tear Lubrication Testing

  • Eye Redness Testing

  • Blepharitis Treatment

  • Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) Treatment

  • Red Eye Treatment

  • Foreign Body Removal

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Below are the Dry Eye Treatments we offer at our Dry Eye Clinic:​

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For more information about our Gold Coast Dry Eye Clinic or to have your Dry Eyes assessed please book an appointment online.

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There are fees associated for dry eye assessments. To learn more about our fees and charges please call our practice on 5526 1400.

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