Treatment and Management: Home Therapies

Click Here For More Information

Dry Eye Disease is a chronic medical condition, similar to having high blood pressure or diabetes. Chronic conditions require long term treatment and monitoring to determine the severity of the disease and effectiveness of treatment. Treatment plans will be created on a personalized basis to address the problems indicated by each patient’s clinical examination and diagnostic findings.

Low-risk strategies of DED treatment and management starts with identification and modification or elimination of offending environmental or lifestyle factors. Awareness of physical conditions that promote DED as well as certain offending systemic and topical medications is key to making potential modifications.

For More Information on Causes of Dry Eye Disease

Home Therapies:

Be aware of your environment. Avoid air conditioning or windy conditions outdoors and increase humidity levels at home or work.
Devices and Blinking habits. Blinking rate drops by 50% when looking at screens. It is important to take regular breaks from screens to promote full eyelid closure to hydrate the ocular surface and expression of meibum from our eyelids for a healthy tear film.
Change up your cosmetic routine.
- Avoid eyeliner as this can block your meibomian glands as this can lead to gland blockage and atrophy.
- Steer clear of waterproof mascara as its ingredients make it difficult to remove.
- Always remove makeup before bed.
- Be aware that many cosmetics contain harmful ingredients. Check our store for cosmetic options for sensitive eyes.
Clean your eyelids and use warm compresses to control inflammation and keep the area free of excess oils and buildup.
Adding omega-3 fatty acids to the diet as food or supplements. Omega-3s have been known to decrease inflammation of the eyelids and meibomian glands, which improves meibum (oil) production for healthier tears.
The use of artificial tears or a moisturizing ointment/drops. Your doctor may recommend advanced lubricating eye drops that do not contain irritating preservatives. It is typically recommended to use these drops four times a day regularly.

Pharmaceutical Therapies:

Immunomodulator eye drops (Restasis/ Cequa/ Xiidra)	Prescription eye drops that reduces inflammation in the tear glands thereby increasing the body’s natural ability to produce tears.
Autologous Serum Eye Drops	Serum tears are made from blood and are rich in platelets and growth factors that help cells grow and heal. They also contain important vitamins and proteins that protect and repair the eyes. These tears are especially useful for treating eye conditions like dry eye disease and Sjogren’s syndrome, which can damage the cornea. Studies have shown that serum tears can help regenerate corneal nerves and improve eye health. Additionally, serum tears have antioxidant properties that protect the eyes from damage caused by free radicals.
Steroid Eye Drops	Prescription eye drops that reduces inflammation over the ocular surface thereby increasing the body’s natural healing ability to restore the eye’s surface barrier.
Doxycycline	Oral doxycycline specifically targets evaporative dry eye caused by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and posterior blepharitis—by acting as an anti-inflammatory agent rather than just an antibiotic. It reduces eyelid inflammation, thinned or blocked oil secretions, and stabilizes the tear film.
Ointments	Antiparasitic and antibiotic ointments target underlying eyelid inflammation, bacterial overgrowth and Demodex mite infestations connected to meibomian gland dysfunction and blepharitis.

Dry Eye Products: Retail

Custom Treatment Plans include home therapy products to manage dry eye symptoms and to prevent the symptoms of dry eye from occurring. Home therapy products are applicable to anyone interested in reducing the risk of getting DED or those with intermittent or asymptomatic DED.

For more Information on step-by-step instructions on home therapies

The catalogue of lubrication eye drops included at the North Toronto Eye Care Online Store:

Address root causes of dry eye by targeting specific tear layers including lipid-based oils for evaporative dryness.
Use advanced formations with specialized polymers for longer-lasting molecular binding.
Avoids harsh preservative chemicals such as benzalkonium chloride (BAK), which can damage the ocular surface with frequent use.
Avoids vasoconstrictors that temporarily shrink blood vessels, causing a rebound redness effect.

Hot compress masks recommended by eye doctors use specialized self-hydrating beads, silica, or flaxseed to trap ambient moisture and deliver steady moist heat at a precise therapeutic temperature of 40 to 42°C for a sustained 8 to 10 minutes.

The sustained temperature specifically targets the thickened oils inside the blocked meibomian glands to treat Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD).

Frequently anti-bacterial treatments are woven into the fabric or removable, washable covers are provided to prevent introducing harmful microbes to an inflamed eye.

Omega 3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and improves dry eye symptoms. It is thought improve the meibum quality in the tear film.

Omega 3 supplements provide higher concentrations of triglycerides than what can be consumed through diet alone. The American Heart Association and the American Cardiology Association recommend 2-3 grams of omega-3s daily (EPA+DHA).

The catalogue of omega 3 supplements included at the North Toronto Eye Care Online Store:

Use re-esterified triglyceride (rTG) forms, which match the natural structure of fish fat and allow for much higher absorption rates in the digestive tract.
PRN Omegas undergo strict third-party molecular distillation to remove heavy metals, toxins, and impuritis, often providing lot-purity certificates.
Provide high-potency doses with specific high-EPA to low-DHA ratio (often 3:1) tailored to target the meibomian glands and tear film inflammation.

Eyelid hygiene products are classified by their active formulation and physical delivery format. They manage lid margin debris, bacterial overgrowth, and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).

Classifications by Delivery Format:

Cleansing sprays: Hands-off options applied directly to closed eyelids that require no physical rubbing or post-application rinsing.
Pre-Moistened Wipes/Pads: Individually wrapped, sterile single-use fabric pads offering mechanical friction to clear crusts, dandruff, and heavy debris.
Foaming Cleansers: Pump dispensers that generate a light lather to be applied cleanly via fingertips or clean cotton rounds.
Leave-On Gels / Solutions: Viscous fluids or drops meant to coat and hydrate the lid margin for extended antimicrobial or moisturizing action.

Active Formulation:

Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl) Sprays: Pure, low-concentration (0.01%–0.02%) saline-based HOCl solutions that mimic the body’s natural defenses to reduce bacterial load and inflammation without stinging or requiring a rinse.
Tea Tree Oil (TTO) / Terpinen-4-ol Cleansers: Formulated with targeted botanical extracts to actively eradicate Demodex mites and remove lash collarettes, though they require careful dilution or formulation to avoid irritation.
Surfactant and Saline Washes: Gentle, soap-free, or micellar cleansers designed to lift routine oils, cosmetics, and environmental debris from sensitive eye margins.
Natural Extract Gels: Specialty treatments utilizing unique components like okra-infused micelles to clear residue off eyelid margins.

While conventional makeup is often created mainly for colour, wear time, volume, or waterproof performance, these brands take a more eye-conscious approach. They are especially helpful for patients who experience dryness, redness, watering, burning, contact lens discomfort, or irritation from traditional cosmetics.

Key ingredients and design features include:

Biotin: Also known as vitamin B7, biotin helps support keratin, the structural protein that makes up much of the hair and lashes. In mascara, this is used to help support stronger-feeling lashes.
Castor oil: Conditions the lashes and supports smoother application and easier removal.
Hyaluronic acid: Helps attract and hold moisture, supporting softer, more hydrated lashes.
Vitamin E: A nourishing antioxidant that helps condition lashes and seal in moisture when paired with hydrating ingredients.
Argan oil: Helps nourish the lashes and support a fuller-looking lash line.
Free of parabens, carbon black, and coal tar dyes: Avoids several ingredients the brand identifies as less ideal for sensitive eyes.
Free of beeswax or carnauba wax: The brand also states that its mascara avoids these waxes, which may be difficult for some allergy-prone patients to tolerate.