Leading Dry Eye Treatment in Coffs Harbour
Leading Dry Eye Treatment in Coffs Harbour: Meet Your Specialists
If you’re one of the approximately 20% of Australians suffering from dry, irritated eyes, you know how frustrating it can be to find relief that actually lasts. At RJK Optometry, we’ve invested in both the expertise and the technology to provide Coffs Harbour with the most advanced dry eye treatments available.
Your Dry Eye Specialists: Michael and Laura
At the heart of our dry eye clinic are two optometrists who have made treating this challenging condition their passion.
Michael Jones has spent years developing expertise in dry eye management. As one of the founding partners of RJK Optometry, Michael brings over three decades of clinical experience to every consultation. His special interest in treating complex eye conditions, combined with his extensive training in contact lens fitting for difficult cases, gives him unique insight into the delicate tear film system and how to restore its balance.
Laura, who joined our team in 2024 after graduating with her Master of Optometry from the University of Canberra, brings fresh perspectives and the latest research-based approaches to dry eye care. A former patient of our practice herself, Laura understands firsthand what it’s like to seek quality eye care on the Coffs Coast. Her commitment to staying at the forefront of optometry through ongoing professional development ensures that our patients benefit from the most current evidence-based treatments available.
Together, Michael and Laura have created a comprehensive dry eye treatment program that addresses not just the symptoms, but the underlying causes of this often-debilitating condition.
Understanding Dry Eye Disease
Dry eye isn’t just about feeling like something is in your eye. It’s a complex condition involving over 1,500 different proteins, oils, mucus, and water that make up your tears. When this delicate balance is disrupted, the results can range from mild irritation to significant vision problems and eye surface damage.
The most common cause? Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), where the tiny oil glands in your eyelids become blocked or inflamed. Without enough oil, your tears evaporate too quickly, leaving your eyes feeling scratchy, red, and uncomfortable.
Advanced Technology for Lasting Relief
What sets our dry eye clinic apart is our investment in not one, but two cutting-edge treatment devices that address dry eye from different angles.
Lumenis M22 Optima™ IPL Therapy
We’re proud to offer the FDA-approved M22 Optima™ Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment, a game-changer for patients suffering from Meibomian Gland Dysfunction. This innovative therapy has been revolutionizing dry eye treatment across Australia and internationally.
How it works: The M22 delivers precisely calibrated light pulses (wavelengths of 500-800nm) to the area around your eyelids. This targeted light energy is absorbed by blood vessels, generating therapeutic heat that liquefies hardened oils blocking your Meibomian glands. The treatment also reduces inflammation, one of the key drivers of chronic dry eye.
What to expect: Most patients undergo a series of four treatments, with each session taking just 15 minutes. Many notice improvements in comfort and tear quality after the first few sessions, with benefits that can last for months with appropriate maintenance treatments.
The benefits:
- Reduced need for constant eye drops
- Improved eye comfort throughout the day
- Treatment of the root cause, not just symptoms
- Long-lasting results with periodic maintenance
Rexon-Eye: Revolutionary QMR Technology
We’re excited to offer the Rexon-Eye device, representing the next generation in dry eye treatment. This innovative system uses Quantum Molecular Resonance (QMR) technology to stimulate your body’s natural healing processes.
How it works: The Rexon-Eye applies gentle, low-power, high-frequency electrical fields (ranging from 4 MHz to 64 MHz) through a comfortable mask worn over closed eyes. These specific frequencies work at a cellular level to stimulate the metabolism and natural regeneration of both your lacrimal glands (which produce tears) and Meibomian glands (which produce oils).
What makes it special: Unlike treatments that simply warm the area or provide temporary relief, Rexon-Eye actually promotes the regeneration of glandular tissue. Clinical studies have shown it to be effective for all types of dry eye – whether your tears evaporate too quickly, you don’t produce enough tears, or you have a combination of both.
The treatment experience: Sessions are remarkably relaxing. You simply recline comfortably while wearing the mask for 20 minutes. Many patients find it so pleasant they actually look forward to their appointments! The standard protocol involves four weekly sessions, with benefits typically beginning during or immediately after treatment and continuing to improve over time.
Key advantages:
- Treats all types of dry eye (evaporative, aqueous deficient, and mixed)
- Stimulates natural regeneration of tear-producing tissues
- Comfortable, non-invasive, and relaxing
- Long-term benefits that address the underlying problem
- Backed by published clinical research
Which Treatment is Right for You?
This is where Michael and Laura’s expertise becomes invaluable. Not every dry eye patient is the same, and not every treatment works for everyone. During your comprehensive dry eye evaluation, they will:
- Assess your tear film quality and quantity
- Examine your Meibomian glands
- Evaluate the health of your ocular surface
- Review your symptoms and medical history
- Discuss your lifestyle and environmental factors
Based on this thorough assessment, they’ll recommend whether IPL therapy, Rexon-Eye treatment, or potentially a combination approach would be most effective for your specific situation. Some patients benefit from starting with one therapy and adding another if needed, while others may achieve excellent results with a single treatment modality.
Why Choose RJK Optometry for Dry Eye Treatment?
Experience and Expertise: With Michael’s decades of specialized experience and Laura’s fresh, research-informed approach, you’re getting the best of both worlds – seasoned clinical judgment combined with the latest scientific knowledge.
Comprehensive Care: We don’t just treat symptoms. Our approach involves understanding your unique situation, addressing underlying causes, and creating a long-term management plan tailored to your needs.
State-of-the-Art Technology: By offering both the Lumenis M22 IPL and Rexon-Eye systems, we can customize treatment to your specific type of dry eye disease.
Ongoing Support: Dry eye management doesn’t end when you walk out of the treatment room. Michael and Laura provide ongoing monitoring and adjustments to ensure you achieve and maintain optimal eye comfort.
Local Expertise: As the longest established independent optometry practice in Coffs Harbour, we understand the unique environmental factors of the Coffs Coast – from the coastal winds to the local climate – and how they affect your eye health.
Take the Next Step Toward Comfort
If you’ve been living with chronic dry eyes, trying countless drops without lasting relief, or avoiding activities you love because of eye discomfort, it’s time to explore advanced treatment options.
Michael and Laura are here to help you understand your dry eye condition and find the most effective solution. Whether it’s the proven IPL therapy, the innovative Rexon-Eye treatment, or a combination approach, we have the expertise and technology to help you achieve lasting comfort.
Ready to find relief? Contact RJK Optometry today to schedule your comprehensive dry eye evaluation. Call us on (02) 6651 1139 or book online through our website.
Your eyes deserve the best care available – and here in Coffs Harbour, that means Michael, Laura, and the team at RJK Optometry.
RJK Optometry: The premier provider of eyecare and eyewear on the Coffs Coast since 2001.