Find Relief From Dry, Irritated Eyes
If your eyes often feel gritty, tired, or irritated, you may be dealing with dry eye disease. At Ham’s Superior Vision Centre, we take dry eye seriously. This common condition can worsen over time if left untreated, but with the right care, it can be managed effectively.
We screen for dry eye during every eye exam for adults and children. If you are living with discomfort, you deserve to know there are solutions beyond drugstore eye drops. Our treatments include LipiFlow thermal pulsation, ZEST eyelid cleaning, BlephEx, meibography imaging, and more.
We’ll help you find the right combination of therapies to protect your eye health and comfort. Contact us to schedule your dry eye assessment today and begin your journey to relief.
What Is Dry Eye?
Dry eye is a common and chronic condition that occurs when your eyes do not produce enough quality tears to stay lubricated. This can lead to discomfort, blurred vision, and even long-term damage if left untreated.
According to the University of Waterloo, dry eye is a progressive condition that can worsen over time without proper care, which is why early diagnosis is crucial.
What Causes Dry Eye?
At its core, dry eye always involves a problem with the tear film. This may be due to not producing enough tears or producing tears that lack quality. One of the most common causes is meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), a condition where the tiny glands along your eyelids that produce the oily layer of your tears become clogged or inactive.
Other common causes and triggers include:
- Dry air or exposure to wind
- Prolonged screen time
- Contact lens wear
- Hormonal changes
- Certain medications
- Aging
- Autoimmune conditions
Dry Eye Symptoms to Look Out for
You may be experiencing dry eye if you notice:
- Burning, stinging, or gritty sensation
- Irritated eyes
- Blurred vision that comes and goes
- Watery eyes (a sign of poor tear quality)
- Light sensitivity
- Feeling like something is in your eye
Early dry eye can even be present before symptoms appear. We use the SPEED Questionnaire to help identify early signs and prevent long-term damage to your meibomian glands or tear film.
How We Diagnose & Treat Dry Eye
We use imaging tools like the Antares corneal topographer to evaluate your tear film and gland structure. Our full dry eye suite includes:
- Meibography, to assess the health of your meibomian glands
- Tear break-up time (TBUT), to measure how long your tears stay stable
- Ocular surface imaging, to assess inflammation or damage
These tools help us get a clear picture of what’s causing your symptoms so we can create a personalized treatment plan. Dry eye is most manageable when caught early. Our treatment plans are tailored to your needs, and we offer both in-office and at-home therapies.
LipiFlow is one of the most effective treatments available for meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), a common cause of dry eye. This in-office procedure applies gentle heat and therapeutic pressure to the inner eyelids, helping to soften and express the thickened oils that block the glands.
By restoring the natural oil flow in your tear film, LipiFlow helps keep your tears stable and your eyes more comfortable. The treatment is painless, takes about 12 minutes per eye, and requires little to no downtime.
ZEST, or Zocular Eyelid System Treatment, is a deep cleansing therapy that removes the biofilm, debris, and oils that can build up along your eyelid margins. Using a soothing, plant-based gel derived from okra extract, ZEST gently exfoliates the area to reduce inflammation and improve overall eyelid hygiene.
It’s particularly helpful for patients with MGD or blepharitis. After the in-office treatment, many patients go home with a take-home product to help maintain their results and support ongoing eyelid health.
BlephEx is a handheld device that gently cleans the edge of your eyelids using a soft, spinning sponge. It removes bacteria, hardened oils, and biofilm that can cause or worsen dry eye symptoms.
This professional-grade cleaning helps reduce inflammation, improve tear quality, and support the overall health of your eyelid margins. Regular treatments may help prevent MGD from progressing.
We also offer a variety of different in-office and at-home treatments, including:
- Bruder Moist Heat Mask: At-home heat therapy for eyelid hygiene
- Eyelid Cleansing Sprays: Keep the eyelid margins clean and balanced
- We Love Eyes Makeup Remover: Safe, effective cleansing for sensitive eyes
- Medicated Eye Drops: Reduce inflammation or support tear production
- Omega-3 Supplements: Improve the quality of the tear film from the inside out
Relief That Goes Beyond Eye Drops
Your eyes deserve better than temporary fixes. At Ham’s Superior Vision Centre, we do our best to get to the root of your symptoms and build a plan that works for your lifestyle. If your condition is more advanced or needs specialized care, we have trusted partners in other cities and will guide you to the right solution.
Don’t let dry, irritated eyes become your new normal. Whether you already have symptoms or just want peace of mind, we are here to help. Book a comprehensive eye exam and let us assess your tear health with the care and clarity you deserve.
Fabulous Independent Eyewear from Around the World
Signature style starts here—explore independent eyewear at Ham’s. We travel the globe to find standout independent eyewear that meets our highest standards—because our patients deserve nothing less. World-class eyewear, no passport required. Ham’s brings global style straight to Thunder Bay.
Backed by 150 years of combined expertise, our opticians are here to help you find eyewear that’s as functional as it is beautiful and tailored to your lifestyle.
Our Handpicked, Independent Eyewear Brands
Two Thunder Bay Eye Clinics to Serve You
Oliver Road
We’re on Oliver Road just east of Highway 17. There’s convenient parking right out front.
- 1144 OIiver Road, Unit 1
- Thunder Bay, ON P7B 7A4
- Phone: 807-285-4790
- Email: drmckiel@shaw.ca
Hours Of Operation
Centennial Square Plaza
There’s plenty of parking in the lot we share with Family Foods in the heart of Thunder Bay.
- 124 Centennial Square
- Thunder Bay, ON P7E 1H3
- Phone: 807-623-2020
- Email: hamsoptical@tbaytel.net
Hours Of Operation
Oliver Road
Reviews
Centennial Square
Plaza Reviews
Specialty Services
Products
Our Locations
Centennial Square Plaza
- 124 Centennial Square
- Thunder Bay, ON P7E 1H3