Dry Eye Symptoms & Relief

Dry eyes are incredibly common, with about one-third of Canadians feeling the burning, itching irritation, and blurry vision it brings with it. Every case of dry eyes is a little different, so we’re happy to provide our patients with a variety of treatment options to find relief.

The common symptoms of dry eye disease include:

Stinging, scratchy, or burning eyes
Eye redness
Light sensitivity
Feeling like there’s something in your eye
Blurry or tired eyes
Watery eyes
Stringy mucus in or around your eye

If you suffer from any of these symptoms, please call us to book a comprehensive eye exam with our optometrists in Orangeville and find relief today.

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What Causes Dry Eye Disease?

Generally speaking, dry eyes are a result of not enough tears or low-quality tears. Healthy tears have a mucus layer, a water layer, and an oily (meibum) layer that all work together to keep your eyes comfortably lubricated.

Several different factors can contribute to dry eye disease.

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is the most common condition behind dry eyes. It happens when something goes wrong with the meibomian glands lining your eyelid.

These small glands are responsible for producing meibum, the oily part of your tears. When the amount or quality of meibum changes, you may feel like your eyes are itchy, gritty, or dry, and you may have a red or inflamed eyelid.

Environmental Conditions

You might find your dry eye symptoms are worse in dry, smoky, or dusty conditions or when there’s a fan or air conditioner blowing on your face. Wearing sunglasses or protective eyewear may bring you some relief.

Your eyes may also feel worse after long stretches of working at a screen, so be sure to take frequent breaks throughout your workday, and remember to blink.

Other Risk Factors

Other factors that may increase your dry eye symptoms include:

Being over 50, as tear production slows with age.
Hormonal changes, such as those experienced during pregnancy, menopause, and while on birth control can affect tear production.
Wearing contact lenses.
Having laser vision correction surgery.

Our Dry Eye Treatment Approach

During a routine eye exam, we can determine the likely cause of your dry eyes and recommend a treatment regime to bring you relief.

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Warm Compress

An at-home warm compress can become part of your daily routine for finding dry eye relief. It’s as simple as wetting a clean face cloth with warm water, wringing it out, and applying it gently to your closed eyes until the cloth cools.

The warmth helps stimulate meibum to increase the quality of your tears. For more intensive treatments, you might like to try an I-RELIEF™ mask.

Meibomian Gland Expression

If your dry eyes are caused by blocked meibomian glands, your optometrist can gently express the glands for you. This typically involves a warm compress followed by therapeutic pressure on each affected eyelid.

Advanced Eye Drops

While over-the-counter artificial tears from the drugstore can provide some relief to your symptoms, specially formulated eye drops may make an even bigger difference for you.

We recommend viscoadaptive advanced artificial tears by I-Med. These drops include:

I-DROP® PUR GEL for moderate to severe chronic dry eye syndrome
I-DROP® PUR for mild to moderate chronic dry eye symptoms
I-DROP® MGD for symptoms of evaporative dry eye
I-DEFENCE® ointment for relief from severe chronic dry eye symptoms

We can also prescribe medicated eye drops as needed.

Eye Nutrition

Eating a healthy, varied diet is just as important to your eyes as it is to the rest of your body. Ask us about food choices and nutrition supplements, such as omega-3 fatty acids, that can help bring you dry eye relief. We stock omega-3 fatty acid supplements from I-Med.

Our Location

You can find us just off Broadway and John in the little white standalone building. We are your destination for optometry in Orangeville. Book your appointment today!