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Rockyview Health Centre, 1011 Glenmore Trail SW Building #1 Suite 423, Calgary, AB T2V 4R6, Canada
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The Dry Eye Dilemma: What Eye Drops To Use?

Which Eye Drops You Should Use for Dry Eye Dilemma

Understanding Various Dry Eye Diseases

We understand going to the pharmacy for eye drops or any eye care products can be overwhelming with so many options out there. So how do you know which eye drops to choose?

There are mainly 3 types of dry eye diseases:

  1. Aqueous Deficient Dry Eye – not enough tears
  2. Evaporative Dry Eye – not enough oil
  3. Mixed Dry Eye – a combo of not enough tears and oil.

Selecting the Right Eye Drops for You

It’s important to know which one you have in order to select the correct eye drops & treatment options. By having a dry eye assessment done at our dry eye clinic in Calgary, our Optometrists will review your results, and together we will determine the ideal treatment options tailored to you.

As Optometrists, the most common artificial tear we hear patients use is Visine or a “get the red out” drop. These should be avoided as they are decongestants that cause the blood vessels to shrink. With constant use, these drops have a rebound effect causing the blood vessels to get larger giving you red eyes again. The chemicals found in preservatives worsen your dry eye as they irritate the surface of your eyes.

Artificial tears have different consistencies – regular tears, gels & ointments. Currently, there isn’t one drop that can enhance all 3 layers of the tear film (water, oil, protein) so a combination of drops is often required. Hyaluronic acid is a very popular ingredient in all of these drops as it helps to stabilize and restore the natural balance of the tear film. Gels and ointments are often recommended for use at night.

If you’ve tried all the over-the-counter eye drops & your eyes are still dry! We understand this can be frustrating using so many drops and only getting minimal relief. Depending on the type of dry eye, we can recommend medicated eye drops to help target the inflammation causing the dry eye with Restasis or Xiidra, or both. Each works on a different part of the inflammatory cycle to help reduce inflammatory markers from activating causing a reduction in your signs & symptoms thus improving your tear film. We are looking forward to Cequa, a new dry eye medication launching early this year in Canada to add to our toolkits to help our patients.

Consult to an Optometrist near You

Our Optometrist near you will help you determine if these medications are a good option for you in combination with artificial tears. Both of these medicated eye drops can be used long-term. To know your status, book an appointment for your dry eye assessment today with our Optometrist in Calgary. We would love to help you improve your quality of life.

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Deep Cleansing for Healthier Eyelids and Lashes

ZEST (Zocular Eyelid System Treatment) is an in-office eyelid cleaning and debridement treatment developed by Zocular®. It is designed to clean the eyelids and lashes while helping address concerns associated with dry eye, blepharitis, and demodex.

The treatment uses a natural, okra-based gel to remove oil, debris, and residue from the eyelid margins and lashes. By improving eyelid hygiene, ZEST can help reduce the buildup that may contribute to irritation and inflammation around the eyes.

What Is ZEST?

ZEST works like a deep cleansing treatment for the eyelids and lashes. During the procedure, the okra-based gel is applied along the eyelid margins and lashes using a cotton swab. The gel is gently worked into a lather using circular motions before being rinsed away with saline solution.
The gel contains a refined extract of okra, an edible green seed pod. According to the provided product information, okra helps lift and clear oil, debris, and residue while being gentle around the eye area.

How Can ZEST Help?

Keeping the eyelids, eyelid margins, and lashes clean is an important part of eye hygiene. Buildup along the eyelid edges can contribute to symptoms such as itching, burning, gritty sensations, redness, and irritation.

ZEST is designed to address this buildup through thorough cleansing and debridement.

  • Removes Debris: Helps clear dirt, oil, and residue from the eyelid margins and lashes.
  • Supports Eyelid Hygiene: Provides a deeper cleansing treatment than routine eyelid cleaning.
    Addresses Demodex: The treatment is designed to help remove demodex mites and associated debris.
  • Helps Reduce Inflammation: Cleansing the eyelid area may help address buildup associated with irritation and inflammation.
  • Supports Dry Eye Care: ZEST may help relieve symptoms associated with dry eye and poor eyelid hygiene.

ZEST for Dry Eye, Blepharitis, and Demodex

Dry eye and blepharitis can be associated with inadequate eyelid hygiene. Debris along the eyelid margins can enter the tear film with blinking, potentially contributing to redness and irritation.

Demodex mites can also be present in the hair follicles around the eyelashes. According to the provided information, they may contribute to inflammation and dry eye symptoms by blocking the oil glands at the base of the eyelashes.

ZEST provides targeted cleansing of the eyelid margins and lashes to help remove this buildup and address demodex-related concerns.

A Simple In-Office Treatment

The ZEST procedure is performed in the office and involves applying the cleansing gel to the eyelid margins and lashes, working it into a lather, and then rinsing the area with saline solution. The treatment is designed to provide thorough eyelid and lash cleansing without requiring a lengthy procedure.

Is ZEST Right for You?

ZEST may be considered for patients experiencing symptoms associated with dry eye, blepharitis, demodex, or eyelid debris. An eye care professional can assess your symptoms and determine whether ZEST is appropriate for your eye care needs.
587-317-2134