If you have ever experienced dry eyes, you know it is more than an irritation. It affects your vision, your concentration, and so much more. You do not have to live with this frustrating and exhausting condition.
At Airdrie Family Eye Doctors, we not only diagnose dry eye, we also offer a wide range of products to treat and prevent dry eye. Request an appointment or visit us to see some of the excellent dry eye products we carry.
The basic concept of dry eye is relatively simple; your eyes become too dry to function comfortably. But how does that happen and why? There are two primary reasons that dry eye occurs.
Your body produces tears naturally to help clean, lubricate, and protect your eyes. Sometimes, the body simply doesn’t make enough tears to keep up with the body’s demand, and the eye becomes dry and irritated.
Your tears need something called a film to be effective. This film is made of special oils which keep the tears from immediately evaporating from the surface of the eye. If the glands that produce these oils become blocked or do not produce enough oil, the tears evaporate immediately. So even though the body is creating enough tears, they do not stay on the surface of the eye long enough to effectively moisturise and lubricate.
Anyone can experience dry eyes at any age, but there are a few different factors that can lead to an increased chance to develop dry eyes. These factors include:
The first step to protecting your vision from any conditions you believe might be developing is to book an appointment to see your optometrist. They can provide you the best treatment solutions for your situation, however if you want to look for preventative measures before book an appointment, you can:
We have a number of treatments available for dry eye; both prescription and non-prescription. Request an appointment today, and we will recommend the best course of treatment for your particular case.
Artificial tears are non-medicated eye drops designed to simulate natural tears. While these drops will not cure dry eye or treat it in the long term, they do offer relief from dry eye symptoms. Artificial tears are available over the counter and do not require a prescription.
Much like artificial tears, medicated eye drops offer immediate relief to dry eye symptoms. These drops do, however, differ from artificial tears in that they also stimulate your body’s natural tear production system, resulting in more natural tears as well as immediate relief. These eye drops require a prescription from your optometrist.
Dry eye can develop as a result of blepharitis; a condition that develops from bacteria build up on the upper eyelid and lash line. Without proper eyelid hygiene, the glands responsible for making meibum (the oil in your tears) can become blocked. Eyelid wipes are an excellent way to maintain good eyelid hygiene, preventing blepharitis and dry eye flare-ups.
We’re your local Airdrie optometrist, proudly serving our local Airdrie community. Our team is excited to meet you and become part of your family’s eye health. Find us on Main Street, just south of the Safeway in Tower Lane Mall.
* Closed on long weekends
Airdire Family Eye Doctors
