Dry Eye Treatment in Calgary
Advanced diagnostics and evidence-based therapies to relieve dry eyes by treating the cause of your symptoms.
Lubricating drops can soothe symptoms, but lasting relief comes from treating the underlying inflammation. We combine proven clinical therapies like IPL (Intense Pulsed Light), RF (Radio-frequency), BlephEx™, and Jett™ Pulsed DC stimulation, with prescription and/or supportive treatments to help restore tear stability and comfort.
What Is Dry Eye Disease?
Dry eye disease is an inflammatory disease that causes tear film instability, excessive evaporation and damage to the delicate structures of the eye over time.
Initially symptoms can include:
• Grittiness, burning, or a sandy feeling
• Red, irritated eyes
• Excessive tearing or watery eyes
• Blurry or fluctuating vision
• Eye fatigue, especially on screens
• Trouble wearing contact lenses
• Feeling like you want to close your eyes for relief
If these symptoms seem familiar, diagnostic testing can identify sources of inflammation and which treatments can be of greatest benefit.
What Causes Dry Eye Disease?
The tear film is made of oil, water, and mucus. When any layer is disrupted or when blinking is reduced, tears evaporate too quickly, leading to irritation, inflammation and further discomfort. In most cases, the oil glands in the eyelids become dysfunctional (MGD) leading to further evaporation and a vicious cycle of inflammation that can ultimately cause tissue damage.
Common causes and contributing factors include:
- Reduced blinking during computer or screen use
- Meibomian gland blockage or inflammation (evaporative dry eye)
- Medications that reduce tear production (antihistamines, antidepressants, birth control)
- Low humidity, dry climate, wind exposure, and indoor heating
- Dehydration, caffeine, alcohol use, or poor nutrition
- Demodex eyelid mites, which harbour bacteria and trigger inflammation
Dry Eye Diagnostics
Dry eye is multifactorial, and the most effective treatment begins with identifying the underlying cause. We use a variety of diagnostic tools, dyes and imaging technologies to evaluate tear quality, oil gland function, tear film stability, and inflammation levels.
Diagnostic testing may include:
• Meibography: infrared imaging to evaluate meibomian gland structure and function
• Tear Osmolarity: using a device to measure tear salt concentrations
• SM Tube: to assess natural tear production volume
• Interferometry: imaging to analyze tear film stability and evaporation rate
• Biomicroscopy: to detect signs of chronic inflammation, mites, rosacea and blocked glands
The results guide us in developing a customized treatment plan to relieve symptoms and support long-term eye health.
Dry Eye Treatment
After your assessment, we create a personalized treatment plan based on the type and severity of your dry eye. Plans may include in-office therapy as well as supportive home care to improve comfort and long-term tear stability.
Treatment options may include:
• Prescription anti-inflammatory eye drops
• Serum or PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) drops
• Unpreserved lubricant eye drops or gels
• Eyelid hygiene heat masks and wipes
• High-quality triglyceride Omega-3 supplementation
• Adjusting contact lens materials or solutions
• In-office therapies to reduce inflammation and unblock glands
In-store or FREE shipping within Alberta
The first and ONLY Health Canada Approved At-Home Red Light treatment Device specifically for your eyes.
Research has shown that red light therapy can help healing, increase blood circulation, and reduce inflammation through a process known as photobiomodulation (PBM). Arunalight was designed by a team of eye care and engineering experts from Canada and Holland and uses optimized 670nm LED diodes to deliver just the right energy to the delicate tissues of the eye.
Just 3 minutes every other day can help control dry eye symptoms. Recent research also shows beneficial effects for other eye conditions including macular degeneration (AMD).
Advanced Dry Eye Treatments
Targeted therapies to Treat the Causes of dry eye.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Dry Eye Treatment
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is a proven treatment for inflammatory and evaporative dry eye, especially for patients with ocular or facial rosacea. IPL targets the inflammation around the eyelids and meibomian glands, reducing burning, redness, and tear evaporation.
Using pulses of light around the eyelids, IPL may help to:
- Reduce abnormal blood vessels and redness
- Kill bacteria and demodex mites linked to eyelid inflammation
- Improve oil gland function and tear stability
- Support more sustained comfort over time
Most patients describe the treatment as a light snapping sensation, and appointments are quick, with no downtime required. Most people begin noticing improvements after a series of 3-4 sessions.
Radio Frequency (RF) Dry Eye Treatment
Radio Frequency (RF) is a non-invasive treatment that creates heat below the skin of the eyelids, helping melt and release blocked meibomian glands, a common cause of evaporative dry eye known as MGD (Meibomian Gland Dysfunction). By improving oil flow, RF treatments help create a more stable tear film and reduce dryness, burning, and irritation.
RF uses controlled heat applied to the eyelid area to:
- Liquify and clear blocked oil in the glands
- Support improved oil gland function and tear stability
- Encourage collagen stimulation, which may soften fine lines around the eyes
Most patients describe RF as feeling similar to a warm stone massage, and treatment is typically comfortable with minimal to no downtime. A series of sessions is often combined with other therapies for best results, depending on the affected tear layers and symptom severity.
Jett™ Pulsed Biostimulation
Pulsed DC Biostimulation is a newer dry eye therapy that uses the Jett™ plasma device to deliver controlled DC energy to the eyelids. It reduces inflammation and supports tear film stability through improved cellular function. It stimulates production of all 3 layers of the tear film leading to rapid improvement in symptoms after only a few treatments. It also may help to:
- Reduce Demodex mites and bacteria along the lid margin
- Improve the texture of hardened tissue along the eyelid margin
- Support continued lubrication over time
Treatment is suitable for all skin types and is generally well-tolerated. Patients may feel a warm or tingling sensation during treatment, but discomfort is usually mild with no downtime.
BlephEx™
BlephEx™ is an in-office eyelid exfoliation treatment for blepharitis. It uses a rapidly spinning brush to remove bacteria, dead skin, biofilm, and Demodex mites from the eyelid margins. This reduces inflammation, and unclogs blocked glands so they can function more effectively.
BlephEx™ may help to:
- Remove biofilm, debris and hardened skin along the lash line
- Reduce bacterial load and Demodex mites
- Support healthier oil gland function
- Improve comfort, reduce itching and crusting
Treatment is quick and well-tolerated, with most patients feeling a light exfoliating sensation as the rotating micro-sponge cleans the lids. Similar to dental cleanings, BlephEx™ is often repeated periodically to maintain eyelid hygiene and prevent buildup from returning.
Punctal Plugs
Punctal plugs are tiny devices placed into the tear drainage ducts to help keep tears on the eye surface longer, improving moisture and comfort. By slowing natural tear drainage, they may reduce dryness and help artificial tears work more effectively.
Punctal plugs may be recommended to:
- Improve lubrication and eye moisture retention
- Reduce reliance on artificial tears
- Support more comfortable and longer contact lens wear
- Help stabilize vision and comfort throughout the day
The procedure is quick and painless, and plugs can be temporary (dissolvable) or permanent but removable. They may be used alone or in combination with other dry eye treatments, depending on tear layer dysfunction and symptom severity.
Amniotic Membranes
Amniotic membranes are extracted from the innermost layer of human placental tissue. They act as a graft to promote wound healing and ocular surface reconstruction. They are rich in growth factors, collagen, and also serve as a scaffold for stem cells. They possesses unique anti-inflammatory and pro-healing properties and are used when the surface of the eye is badly damaged from chronic dryness, inflammation, injury or stem cell deficiency.
Application of these membranes is done in-office, with a contact lens inserted over top to protect the membrane until it dissolves in a few days. There may be slight blur and lens awareness until the contact lens is removed in 3-4 days. Once the eye is healed, long term treatment with other therapies is needed to keep the surface healthy.
Scleral Lenses
Scleral lenses are large, custom-fit rigid lenses that vault over the cornea, creating a fluid reservoir that keeps the eye continuously hydrated throughout the day. They act as a moisture shield, protecting the eye surface from dryness and irritation while also providing clear, stable vision for patients who may not tolerate standard contact lenses.
Scleral lenses may help to:
- Provide all-day hydration for moderate to severe dry eye
- Improve comfort when traditional contacts are difficult to wear
- Reduce dryness, irritation and fluctuating vision
- Support a healthy eye surface for those with complex corneal conditions
Scleral lenses are often considered when other dry eye treatments have not provided relief, or when patients need vision correction and cannot tolerate standard contact lenses. Lenses are custom-designed for both vision and a comfortable fit .
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can Mission Eye Care fix chronic dry eye permanently?
Dry eye is a chronic condition, which means it often requires ongoing management rather than a one-time cure. However, with proper diagnosis and a customized treatment plan, many patients experience significant improvement in comfort and symptom control. Our goal is to treat the underlying causes, such as gland blockage, inflammation or tear instability, to support long-term relief.
Can Mission Eye Care diagnose tear evaporation rates?
Yes. As part of dry eye assessment, we use interferometry and tear film analysis to measure tear breakup time and evaporation rates. This helps us determine whether your dryness is related to fast tear evaporation, low tear production, or a combination of factors. This data guides the selection of the most suitable treatment approach.
Is Mission Eye Care a certified dry eye clinic?
Mission Eye Care is a recognized dry eye treatment centre with advanced diagnostic technology and multiple in-office therapies. We are one of the few post-graduate residency teaching sites in Canada, providing training for optometry residents, University of Calgary medical students, and family medicine residents. Our team includes four optometrists with residency accreditation in corneal disease and specialty contact lenses, giving us a high level of expertise in managing dry eye disease and related conditions.
Does Mission Eye Care treat computer-related dry eye?
Yes. Computer and screen use often reduces blink rate, leading to faster tear evaporation and symptoms like burning, irritation, and fluctuating vision. We assess whether screen-related MGD, tear instability or digital eye strain is contributing to your symptoms, and recommend treatment options and at-home strategies tailored to your work or study habits.
Can Mission Eye Care stop constant eye burning?
Burning is a common sign of ocular surface inflammation or tear evaporation. While results vary from person to person, many patients experience relief when the underlying cause is identified and treated. Whether that involves reducing inflammation, clearing blocked glands, improving tear retention, or supporting tear quality with drops or at-home care, a dry eye evaluation will help determine the best approach for your symptoms.