Dry Eye Clinic Perth & Fremantle
Gently restore the balance to your eyes.
Providing Comprehensive Dry Eye Care for Lasting Comfort
For Eyes Optometrists is an independent practice dedicated to treating dry eyes for patients in Perth and Fremantle. We offer a range of treatment options tailored to relieve symptoms and improve your eye health. Our focus is always on providing the best outcome for your unique needs.
We provide services in dry eye assessments, management, and personalised treatment plans. Our practice is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and equipment to ensure you receive advanced care for long-term relief.
What is dry eye?
Dry eye is a common condition affecting up to 30% of the population. It results from a breakdown in the natural layer of tears that coat the eye and becomes more noticeable as we age.
What are the symptoms of dry eye?
Common symptoms of dry are:
Excessive tearing or watery eyes
Burning, stinging or irritated eyes
Scratchy or foreign body sensation
Frequent blinking
Eye redness
Blurry or fluctuating vision (particularly noticeable when reading, using a computer, watching television or driving)
Sensitivity to light
Eye fatigue
Reduced tolerance to wearing contact lenses
In-Office dry eye treatment and management
There are a number of treatments for dry eye which range from simple home treatments to more advanced treatments carried out by our optometrists in our Fremantle practice.
In-Office Treatments
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Regular meibomian gland expression is an important part of dry eye treatment.
Expression is performed to help open up the glands by gently squeezing each gland to express the blocked material. Meibomian gland expression is performed straight after each intense pulsed light therapy treatment, ensuring that the glands are clear and ready to function optimally.
Gland expression can also be performed at home after gently massaging the eyelids after applying a warm compress.
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Demodex is a mite that infects the lash follicles or the meibomian glands. Although it is harmless in some people, for others it can produce an immune response causing inflammation. This inflammation can lead to the loss of lashes or cause the lashes to grow into the eye, scratching the cornea. It can also cause meibomian gland dysfunction.
For the demodex treatment, a solution kills the Demodex by applying it to your lashes and lid margins. Treatments can be performed in-office or at home. The treatment needs to be repeated to clear the Demodex. Once this has occurred, the inflammation usually goes away.
Demodex mites are microscopic, and an assessment by your optometrist is essential to confirm the presence of infestation.
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Specific changes happen in and around our eyelids when we develop, meibomian gland dysfunction and dry eyes. Inflammation causes a proliferation of small and abnormal blood vessels to develop near the surface of the eyelid. These abnormal blood vessels, called 'Telangiectasias', increase inflammatory mediators to the eyelid margins and meibomian glands. In turn, the inflammation affects the normal function of the glands.
Intense Pulsed Light – is a pulse of intense light applied to the skin around the eyes. The light used is selected at a specific wavelength and strength. When applied to the skin's surface, the light is absorbed by the abnormal vessels closing them. This effectively reduces the primary source of inflammation affecting the eyelids, bringing relief to patients. Once this occurs, inflammation affecting the glands also reduces, providing a better environment for the meibomian glands to function, further enhancing the patient's comfort and well-being.
In Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, the quality of the meibum changes and rather than having the consistency of olive oil it can become yellow, cloudy, thicker and sometimes 'toothpaste' like. The openings of the gland can also become blocked. The heat produced during the IPL treatment helps to soften the meibum within the glands. The heat can also help to open the gland orifices. Manual gland expression is often performed after an IPL session to remove abnormal meibum and make way for new, more oily secretions.
IPL may also stimulate photomodulation, a process by which energy is provided to the cells of the meibomian glands to improve their function.
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In some cases, dry eye is caused by a lack of tears or fluid volume. In these cases, punctal plugs are used to plug the lacrimal ducts of the eyes to reduce tear drainage. Reducing tear outflow helps to increase tear volume and provide longer-term relief of dry eyes. As there is greater retention of your natural tears, there is less reliance on artificial tears.
The insertion of punctal plugs is a non-surgical and pain-free procedure, ensuring that patients can undergo treatment with ease and comfort.
There are two main types of punctal plugs:
Permanent but removable silicone plugs provide a long-term solution, and
dissolvable co-polymer plugs offer a three to six-month option. Dissolvable plugs are often used to assess the benefit of treatment and for those who may not want a permanent solution.
Home Treatments
Drops and ointments to alleviate the symptoms such as ‘artificial tears’
Heating eye compress masks
Dietary supplements such as Omega 3, flaxseed or fish oil supplements which may assist in reducing inflammation
Meibomian Gland Therapy
This therapy involves re-activating the glands in your lower eyelid if they have become blocked. It is conducted by the optometrist using special instruments.
More Information About Intense Pulse Light (IPL) Therapy
This therapy is applied with specialised equipment (Lumenis M22 machine) by the optometrist. It is a drug free, light based treatment that targets chronic inflammation that is a key cause of dry eye syndrome.
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Specific changes happen in and around our eyelids when we develop, meibomian gland dysfunction and dry eyes. Inflammation causes a proliferation of small and abnormal blood vessels to develop near the surface of the eyelid. These abnormal blood vessels, called 'Telangiectasias', increase inflammatory mediators to the eyelid margins and meibomian glands. In turn, the inflammation affects the normal function of the glands.
Intense Pulsed Light – is a pulse of intense light applied to the skin around the eyes. The light used is selected at a specific wavelength and strength. When applied to the skin's surface, the light is absorbed by the abnormal vessels closing them. This effectively reduces the primary source of inflammation affecting the eyelids, bringing relief to patients. Once this occurs, inflammation affecting the glands also reduces, providing a better environment for the meibomian glands to function, further enhancing the patient's comfort and well-being.
In Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, the quality of the meibum changes and rather than having the consistency of olive oil it can become yellow, cloudy, thicker and sometimes 'toothpaste' like. The openings of the gland can also become blocked. The heat produced during the IPL treatment helps to soften the meibum within the glands. The heat can also help to open the gland orifices. Manual gland expression is often performed after an IPL session to remove abnormal meibum and make way for new, more oily secretions.
IPL may also stimulate photomodulation, a process by which energy is provided to the cells of the meibomian glands to improve their function.
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The technology we have adopted is the M22™ from Lumenis.
The M22™ is a multi-application machine that treats dermatological conditions such as rosacea. Its settings can be precisely calibrated to alter the way the energy is delivered, making it a versatile and effective tool for IPL treatments.
Rather than a single flash per pulse, the energy is divided up into shorter, separate flashes. This method minimises the heat's impact on the skin's epidermis so that more pulses can be performed per session. Changeable parameters also mean that the settings can be altered to safely provide IPL treatments for a wider range of skin pigment types.
American ophthalmologist Dr Rolando Toyos first pioneered using IPL to treat dry eye. In 2001, he used IPL to treat abnormal telangiectasias of the skin in patients with rosacea. He noticed that some of his patients with meibomian gland dysfunction reported that their skin and dry eye symptoms had improved. He worked with Lumenis to develop the M22™ protocol for the optimal and safe dry eye treatment.
Dry eye assessment and diagnosis
Before treatment for dry eyes, our optometrists will perform a dry eye screening assessment. The dry eye assessment will involve an investigation of the main indicators of dry eye syndrome such as tear film stability, signs of ocular inflammation, and functionality of the meibomian glands. The assessment will be performed with specialised equipment in accordance with regulated scientific protocols.
The results of the dry eye screening assessment will be discussed with you before commencing treatment. Infra-red imaging of the meibomian glands can be conducted. Images of the meibomian glands help determine the extent to which your glands are active or dormant. In other words, you will understand the cause of your dry eye problem.
Blepharitis treatment
Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids. Most of the time, it occurs when oil glands in the eyelids produce too much, too little or the wrong kind of oil. Less common causes of blepharitis include allergies, bacterial infection, rosacea, certain chronic medical conditions and some types of cancer.
Blepharitis is a chronic condition and there is no cure, but it can be managed to alleviate the associated symptoms. Our optometrists will discuss the best way to manage your specific condition.
Dry Eye Care Products We Stock
Why choose us?
Focused on the health of your eyes.
Highly experienced team of Fremantle optometrists, orthoptists, vision therapists and optical dispensers.
Comprehensive dry eye examination with the latest technologically advanced equipment such as an in-clinic M22™ from Lumenis
Dry eye treatment and management.
Complex contact lens fittings
Meet the Optometrist
Sinead Denny
Optometrist
BSc(Optom) MOptom MBA, FACBO, IACMM, CASA certified optometrist,
Ophthalmic Medicines Prescriber
Sinead is passionate about all areas of Optometry including contact lenses, myopia control and Indigenous Eye Health. Sinead is also involved in running a Diabetic Eye Screening clinic at Fremantle Hospital and the supervision of students in the Doctor of Optometry at the University of Western Australia. She has a particular interest and expertise in the management of dry eye conditions.
Dry Eye FAQs
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Dry eye is a chronic disease whereby regular treatment is recommended.
There are a number of treatments available for dry eye, ranging from eye drops and warm compresses through to IPL treatment and medications. It may take more than one consultation to find the right option for you.
At times your condition will improve and you may be tempted to discontinue treatment. However, it’s important to manage this condition and continue treatment. Our optometrists will develop a treatment plan with you and monitor your progress throughout the plan.
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Mask-associated dry eye has become common during the COVID-19 pandemic. When air vents from the top of your mask and across the surface of your eyes, it causes your tear fluid to evaporate more quickly, causing (or worsening) dry eye.
A properly fitted mask forces air to vent downwards, away from your eyes. Wearing a mask with nose wire that can be shaped to fit firmly across the bridge of your nose, or taping down the top of your mask with skin-friendly tape, can help. Additionally, try to blink more often while you wear your mask, as this distributes tear fluid across your eye.
Using dry eye treatments, such as lubricating eye drops (artificial tears), warm compresses or heated eye masks, can also help you manage mask associated dry eye. If your symptoms persist or are severe, please consult with our optometrists for further assessment.
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The results of dry eye treatment will vary by patient. Anecdotal evidence suggests that after the first two treatments, minimal improvement may be noted. After three treatments, improvements are likely to be noticed by patients together with an improvement in clinical signs. The great majority of patients start to notice an improvement after 4 treatments. A cautiously optimistic approach is to expect improvement after 4 - 5 treatments together with a reduction in the use of lubricating eye drops.
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For mild dry eyes, there are a few things you can try at home to help relieve symptoms. Using artificial tears or lubricating eye drops can provide temporary relief. Applying a warm compress to your eyes or gently massaging your eyelids can also help improve tear production. It’s important to stay hydrated, as drinking plenty of water supports overall eye health. However, if your symptoms persist, it’s best to consult with an eye care professional for tailored treatment.
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Yes, watery eyes can be a symptom of dry eyes. When your eyes don’t produce enough tears or the right quality of tears, they can become irritated. This is because breaks form in the tear film, exposing the underlying cornea.
Disruption to the tear film irritates (often described as a foreign body sensation) and causes reflex tearing. This is your body’s natural way of protecting your eyes and is usually a sign that your eyes are too dry and need proper treatment.
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Mild cases of dry eye syndrome are prevalent and, with proper treatment, will not lead to blindness.
However, dry eyes can potentially result in permanent vision impairment in severe cases if left untreated. If vision suddenly or even gradually deteriorates, it is important to seek professional advice.
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Research suggests there may be a link between dry eyes and headaches, but more studies are needed to fully understand this complex connection.
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While there is no permanent cure for dry eyes, the right treatment can significantly improve your symptoms and provide relief from symptoms.
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Our clinic is located in Fremantle on High Street, with 1-hour free parking bays along both sides of the road. This should allow enough time for your eye test.
If all of these bays are taken, there is plenty of paid parking available around the corner - opposite CBC near the tennis courts.
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Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids, specifically the lid margin. This can be classed as Anterior Blepharitis or Posterior Blepharitis, also known as Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.
Anterior Blepharitis affects the front of the eyelid and the lashes. It is primarily caused by bacteria or mites that occur on the skin normally but are in excessive amounts in blepharitis patients.
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction pertains more to the inner eyelid and the entrance to the meibomian glands. These glands become blocked, which impedes the flow of oil into the tear layer. This causes the oil to back up in the gland, and become thicker, so the secretion of oil may not happen at all, or it may be secreted in thicker blobs. This can lead to a number of downstream problems, like dry eye, lumps in the eye lids called chalazions, or even styes if they become infected.
Read our guide “What is blepharitis treatment” article to learn more.
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No. At For Eyes, we are a private billing practice. This allows us to prioritising your eye health and gives us the ability to invest in advanced technology, training and spend the right time to understand your concerns.
Eye ointment to improve the lubrication in eyes that are dry, irritated and tired eyes.