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Arriving 2027

Our dry eye treatments launch in 2027. The details and pricing here are so you can plan ahead — bookings will open closer to the time.

Step two · Clean

ZEST™

Zocular Eyelid System Technology

A gentle, plant-based deep clean for your eyelids. ZEST lifts away the bacteria, biofilm and debris that build up along the lash line — the buildup that keeps dry eye, blepharitis and Demodex coming back.

$150per eye
$250both eyes
Book a dry eye assessment How it works
plant-based gel
BUILDUP Bacteria, biofilm and debris crust around the lash bases ZEST gel + gentle sweep CLEAN A clean lid margin, with the gland openings clear again
What ZEST is

A natural deep clean for the lid margin

ZEST — Zocular Eyelid System Technology — uses a gel derived from okra, a plant long used for its natural cleansing properties. The gel is applied along your lash line and worked gently over the lid margin with a soft applicator.

As it's swept along, the gel lifts away the oily debris, bacterial biofilm and crusting that collect at the base of the lashes. That buildup is a major driver of blepharitis, Demodex overgrowth and meibomian gland dysfunction — and it's exactly what ordinary lid wipes at home tend to leave behind.

Once the margin is properly clean, the oil glands can drain more freely and the inflammation that keeps the cycle going starts to settle.

Why buildup matters

Breaking the cycle at the lash line

Bacteria along the eyelid margin release substances that irritate and inflame. That inflammation affects the oil glands, tears evaporate faster, and the drier surface lets bacteria multiply further — a loop that keeps repeating until something interrupts it.

Left untreated

The blepharitis cycle

  • Bacteria and Demodex build along the lash line
  • Their by-products irritate and inflame the lid
  • Inflamed lids block the meibomian oil glands
  • Tears evaporate too fast, and the eye dries out
  • A drier surface lets bacteria grow unchecked
After ZEST

The cycle interrupted

  • The lid margin is thoroughly cleaned
  • Biofilm, debris and crusting are lifted away
  • Irritation at the lash line settles
  • Gland openings are clear and can drain
  • Lids and lashes are healthier day to day
Who it's for

What ZEST is used for

ZEST is aimed at the lid-margin side of dry eye — the problems that start at the lashes rather than deeper in the glands.

Blepharitis

Red, crusty, irritated lid margins that flare up again and again.

Demodex

Tiny mites that live at the lash bases and drive persistent itching.

Gland dysfunction

Blocked meibomian glands behind evaporative dry eye.

Lid inflammation

Ongoing redness and irritation along the lash line.

Plant-based

Naturally derived, and comfortable

The ZEST gel is derived from okra rather than harsh detergents. Most patients describe the treatment as cool and soothing — a gentle sweep along the lashes rather than anything sharp or abrasive.

There's no downtime. You'll be back to your day straight after, and many people notice their lids feel cleaner and lighter right away.

Your visit

What a ZEST treatment involves

Quick, comfortable and performed in our office by your optometrist.

1

Assessment first

We examine your lids, lashes and tear film to confirm ZEST is the right treatment for what's actually causing your symptoms.

2

Gel applied

The okra-derived gel is applied along the lash line and lid margin, where the buildup collects.

3

Gently worked in

A soft applicator sweeps the gel along the margin, lifting away biofilm, debris and crusting.

4

Rinsed & done

The gel is rinsed away and you're finished — no downtime, and you can head straight back to your day.

The benefits

Why patients choose ZEST

A thorough clean of the one area that's hardest to manage properly at home.

Cleans what wipes can't reach

Home lid wipes help, but they rarely clear the biofilm bonded to the base of the lashes.

Naturally derived

An okra-based gel rather than a harsh chemical scrub — comfortable enough for sensitive lids.

Quick, with no downtime

A short in-office treatment. You're back to normal straight away.

Pairs well with other treatments

Cleaning the margin first means gland treatments like LipiFlow work better afterwards.

the gel sweeps along the lash line, lifting buildup away
Good to know

Questions patients ask

Does it hurt?
No. Most people describe it as cool and mildly ticklish. Some experience brief stinging or slight redness afterwards, which usually settles quickly.
How many treatments will I need?
It depends on how much buildup there is and what's driving your symptoms. Many patients start with one treatment and repeat it periodically. We'll set out a plan after your assessment rather than committing you to a course up front.
How soon will I notice a difference?
Many patients say their lids feel cleaner and lighter straight away. Improvement in the underlying irritation tends to build over the following weeks, especially alongside good daily lid hygiene at home.
Who shouldn't have ZEST?
We'd hold off if you have an active eye infection or severe lid inflammation, a known allergy to any component of the gel, or a skin condition that reacts easily. It isn't recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, simply because it hasn't been well studied in those groups. Your assessment will cover all of this.
Is it covered by insurance?
Generally not. Dry eye treatments are not covered by OHIP, and most vision plans don't include them. We also don't direct bill for dry eye services — payment is made at your visit and we'll give you a detailed receipt. Please check with your insurer before booking if coverage matters to you.

Assessment first, always

Dry eye has several different causes, and lid-margin buildup is only one of them. We won't book you straight into a treatment — we'll examine your lids, lashes and tear film first, and recommend ZEST only if it genuinely fits what we find.

Individual results vary. ZEST™ and Zocular® are trademarks of their respective owners.

The pathway

Rinse · Clean · Restore

Three treatments that work best together — each one preparing the eye for the next.

Cleaner lids, calmer eyes

Book a dry eye assessment and we'll tell you honestly whether ZEST is the right place to start.

Book an assessment