Dry Eye Treatment in Squamish, BC

Burning, gritty, tired eyes that get worse as the day goes on. If that sounds familiar, you are not alone — and you do not have to live with it.

At Garibaldi Eye Care, your Squamish optometrist for dry eye disease, we diagnose and treat dry eye at the source. Our clinic offers advanced in-office treatments most optometry practices do not — including our Envision by InMode platform (Lumecca-i IPL + Forma-i radiofrequency) — alongside prescription drops, nutritional support, and personalized care plans built around your specific diagnosis.

Whether your dry eyes are mild or severe, we start with a comprehensive assessment to find the root cause, then build a treatment plan that targets it directly.

What to Expect at Your Dry Eye Appointment

Your first visit is focused on finding out exactly what is causing your symptoms — not guessing. Here is what the process looks like:

• Symptom review — We discuss your symptoms, medical history, medications, screen habits, and lifestyle to understand the full picture.
• Diagnostic testing — We run targeted tests including InflammaDry (inflammation biomarker), tear osmolarity, meibography (imaging of your oil glands), Schirmer’s test, and tear break-up time. This tells us whether you have evaporative dry eye, aqueous-deficient dry eye, or both.
• Personalized treatment plan — Based on your results, we build a plan that may include in-office treatments (IPL, RF), prescription drops, OTC recommendations, and self-care strategies. No cookie-cutter prescriptions.
• Follow-up and monitoring — Dry eye is a chronic condition. We schedule follow-ups to track your progress, adjust your plan, and help ensure your symptoms are improving.

Cost and Insurance Coverage

A dry eye assessment performed during a comprehensive eye exam may be covered under MSP or your extended health plan. In-office treatments like IPL and radiofrequency are typically not covered by provincial health insurance but may be partially covered by some extended health or workplace benefits plans.

Not sure what’s covered? Call us at 778-906-0936, and our team will help you check your plan before your appointment.

How We Treat Dry Eye

We use a layered approach, starting with the treatments most likely to make a measurable difference for your specific type of dry eye.

In-Office: Envision by InMode (IPL + Radiofrequency)

Our two in-office therapies now sit under Envision by InMode, InMode’s dedicated dry eye platform. Together, Lumecca-i IPL and Forma-i radiofrequency target meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) — the most common underlying factor in chronic dry eye. Learn more about Envision by InMode →

• Lumecca-i (IPL): We use Lumecca-i to deliver controlled light pulses to the skin around the eyes, helping reduce chronic inflammation, reduce Demodex mites, and support healthy meibomian gland function. Most patients see improvement after 3–4 sessions.
• Forma-i (Radiofrequency): Forma-i delivers gentle, targeted heat to the meibomian glands from the inside of the eyelid, softening blocked oils and improving gland output. It is comfortable, requires no downtime, and is often combined with IPL.

Prescription Eye Drops

When inflammation is a major driver, prescription anti-inflammatory drops help your eyes produce healthier tears over time. Options include cyclosporine (Restasis, Cequa) and lifitegrast (Xiidra). These typically take 3–6 months to reach full effect and are used alongside other treatments.

Punctal Plugs

For patients whose eyes do not retain enough moisture, we can insert tiny silicone or collagen plugs into the tear drainage ducts to keep tears on the eye surface longer. The procedure takes a few minutes and is painless.

Artificial Tears and Lubricating Drops

For mild symptoms, preservative-free artificial tears are a solid first step. We carry several options in-clinic including Thealoz Duo, Hyabak, I-Med MGD Drops, and I-Med Pure Gel. See our full Eye Drops selection.

Nutritional Support

Omega-3 fatty acids support meibomian gland function and help reduce inflammation. We often recommend fish oil or flaxseed oil supplementation as part of your plan. Read: Does Fish Oil Help With Dry Eyes?

Warm Compresses and Lid Hygiene

Daily warm compresses (we recommend the Bruder heated eye mask) and eyelid cleaning help maintain gland function between appointments. These are an essential part of ongoing dry eye management. More tips: Home Remedies for Dry Eyes.

What Is Dry Eye Disease?

Dry eye disease (also called dry eye syndrome) is a chronic condition where your tears do not adequately lubricate the eye surface. Your tear film has three layers — an oily layer, a watery layer, and a mucin layer — and a problem with any of them triggers symptoms.

The most common form is evaporative dry eye (about 85% of cases), caused by blocked or dysfunctional meibomian glands in the eyelids. Less commonly, the lacrimal glands produce insufficient watery tears (aqueous-deficient dry eye). Many patients have a combination of both. Our diagnostic process identifies which type you have so treatment is targeted, not guesswork.

Dry Eye Symptoms

Dry eye symptoms range from mildly irritating to disruptive. Common signs include:

• A gritty, sandy, or scratchy sensation
• Burning or stinging
• Redness and irritation
• Excessive watering (reflex tears that don’t relieve dryness)
• Blurry vision, especially during reading or screen work
• Eye fatigue and heaviness by the end of the day
• Sensitivity to light
• Difficulty wearing contact lenses

If blurry vision is your main concern, read: Can Dry Eyes Cause Blurry Vision?

What Causes Dry Eyes?

Dry eye rarely has a single cause. The most common contributing factors include:

• Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) — the leading cause of evaporative dry eye
• Aging — tear production declines after 50
• Prolonged screen time — reduces blink rate by up to 60%
• Contact lens wear
• Environmental factors — dry air, wind, indoor heating (common during Squamish winters)
• Medications — antihistamines, antidepressants, blood pressure medications
• Hormonal changes — menopause, pregnancy
• Blepharitis and allergies
• LASIK or other eye surgery

For a deeper look: What Causes Dry Eyes? A Complete Guide.

Self-Care Tips for Managing Dry Eyes

• Follow the 20-20-20 rule during screen work (every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds)
• Blink consciously — your blink rate drops significantly during screen use
• Use a humidifier at home, especially during winter
• Wear wraparound sunglasses outdoors
• Stay hydrated (about 8 glasses of water daily)
• Apply a warm compress for 10 minutes daily
• Remove eye makeup thoroughly every night

More self-care strategies: Home Remedies for Dry Eyes.

Why Choose Garibaldi Eye Care?

• Advanced diagnostics: InflammaDry, osmolarity testing, and meibography — not just a standard eye exam
• In-office Envision by InMode (IPL + radiofrequency) most clinics don’t offer
• Personalized treatment plans based on your specific diagnosis
• Ongoing follow-up to track progress and adjust your plan
• Conveniently located in Squamish, BC, serving the Sea-to-Sky corridor

Dry Eye Assessments Now Available

Dry eye disease can have a major impact on your quality of life, and we’re here to help. Dr. Mah and Dr. Baker both have a keen interest in dry eye disease and, combined, have extensive experience treating this condition. As a leading Squamish optometry clinic, we offer both traditional and Envision by InMode dry eye treatments. Visit your eye doctor in Squamish today.

Dry eye therapies, including Envision by InMode (Lumecca-i IPL and Forma-i radiofrequency), are treatments, not a cure. Results vary by individual, and a consultation determines whether a given treatment is right for you. In-office IPL and radiofrequency are typically not covered by BC MSP; some extended health plans may apply.