Many of us know the annoying feeling of dry eyes, at least to some degree. Maybe your eyes feel itchy after a long computer session or get tired from the cold winter air. If it is happening all the time, you might be suffering from chronic dry eye.
If you are done living with constant irritation, visit us for a comprehensive eye exam. We can determine the source of your dry eyes and find out how to solve it. Do not let this problem get any worse. Our optometrists can help!
You can develop dry eyes when your eyes do not get enough lubrication to properly function. This lack of lubrication occurs if the eyes do not produce enough tears or if the tears have the wrong chemical composition.
Either one of these factors can make your eyes itchy, red, and uncomfortable. When left untreated, this problem can make you more susceptible to complications, like eye infections. Preventing dry eyes is dependent on creating a hydrated ecosystem in your vision.
A dry eye experience can be felt in a variety of ways. Signs of the condition vary in intensity but the symptoms include:
Our eyes need a specific balance of hydration and oils to function. If this balance is negatively affected, dry eyes can take place. The root of this condition can be attributed to several things, but it almost always comes down to improper tear production.
Poor tear functionality can result from deficiencies in your ocular system or outside factors such as windy or smoky environments.
When you do not produce enough tears, dry eyes can become apparent. Healthy tears have well-defined layers that keep them from evaporating. Natural tears should bring nutrients to your eyes and stay in contact with the eye globe’s surface.
Several reasons may impede normal tear production. The causes include:
The lubrication required by our eyes to do its job is supplied by a special structure called the meibomian glands. This gland produces an oily substance called meibum. This substance keeps the tear balance in check. If there’s not enough oil, tears may evaporate, leading to dry eyes.
This lack of oil can happen for a variety of reasons. Your glands may not be producing enough, they could be blocked, or they are producing oil of poor quality.
Whatever the reason is, we can help. You can count on our team of optometrists to study your tears and glands and recommend treatments.
{insert diagram of eye tears with layers outlined}
Dry eye syndrome can be diagnosed during a comprehensive eye exam. We’ll do a thorough check of your eye structures, ask you questions about your eyes, and run assessment tests. With all this information, we can usually determine the cause of your dry eyes.
You should prepare for a dry eye consultation just like you would a standard eye exam. Some medications can influence dry eyes, so please know the name of any prescriptions you are currently taking. Queensway Optometric is ready to help free you from dry eyes.
Treating dry eyes largely depends on the root cause and severity of the condition. Most treatments focus on addressing any underlying conditions causing your dry eyes, such as meibomian gland dysfunction.
Perhaps your dry eye problem has a simple solution; maybe your contact lenses just aren’t agreeing with your eyes. Queensway Optometric Centre can guide you through a variety of treatments until your dry eyes feel refreshed and renewed.
We can make suggestions for artificial tears that replace moisture in the eye. These types of eye drops are a short-term solution for brief bouts of dry eyes. We recommend consulting our eye doctors before using an over-the-counter product. We’ll advise you of the effects of eye drop preservatives and other things to consider. If your dry eyes are chronic, it’s best to visit our practice for more appropriate treatment.
Medicated eye drops are prescription products aimed to improve tear production with regulated use. Our optometrists will ask questions and examine your glands to understand if this treatment makes sense for you.
Eye medications may also be prescribed for oral consumption.
LipiFlow is a dry eye treatment technology that harnesses the power of thermal pulsations to help address symptoms of dry eye caused by meibomian gland dysfunction, an eye condition that can affect the stability of your tear film.
The technology works by gently applying heat to the inner and outer areas of your eyelids, while also massaging the eyelids from the outside. This helps melt blockages in your meibomian glands and promote a healthy flow of oils to help support your tear film and manage dry eye.
De 3 Omega Benefits® is a custom formulation for occasional eye dryness, to provide the body with the essential nutrients it needs to produce a soothing, healthy tear film.
How it works:
Omega-3 deficient glands may become inflamed and clogged which accelerates tear evaporation and dryness due to missing oil. Studies show that long-term consumption of 2240mg of EPA & DHA in the re-esterified triglyceride form (rTg) may help to maintain a healthy tear film and assist in overall eye comfort.
Our practice is conveniently located across the street from the Trillium Health Partners Mississauga Hospital.
Saturday Openings 2023
Holiday Hours 2023
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Queensway Optometric Centre
