Dry eye syndrome is an irritating condition which can leave your eyes feeling tired and uncomfortable, but it doesn’t have to take over your day and steal your concentration.
In fact, many people who are affected by dry eye can struggle with productivity at work, or be hit with a constant sensation of fatigue, even straight after a full night’s sleep. While dry eye can be profoundly irritating and distracting, many people will neglect their symptoms, assuming that things will clear up on their own.
By having your eye health examined, you will only lose an hour of your day to find out exactly what is causing your discomfort.
Dry eye sufferers can experience anywhere from a couple to many of the following symptoms. If you notice any of them persisting, it’s worth getting a proper diagnosis.
Not all omega-3s are the same. This video explains how a specific high-quality omega-3, like PRN D3, can make a significant difference in your dry eye.
To help you enjoy long-lasting relief, your optometrist may suggest you use one of the following maintenance products in addition to your regular in-office treatments.
Bruder masks use gentle, warming heat to provide relief from dry eyes caused by MGD (meibomian gland dysfunction) and blepharitis. The mask uses heat to melt thickened meibum, improving meibomian gland function and slowing the evaporation rate of your tears.
If you suffer from either chronic or occasional dry eyes, your optometrist may suggest you increase your intake of some nutrients and minerals, such as Omega 3. Omega 3 supplements from PRN (Physician Recommended Nutraceuticals) can be used to improve tear film quality to prevent tears from evaporating too quickly. Research has shown that consuming Omega 3 fatty acids can significantly improve the quality of tears produced.
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Hylo gel lubricating eye drops can be used to help ensure the surface of your eyes remains hydrated and may be prescribed if your dry eyes are chronic or particularly severe. These eye drops can help you enjoy continued comfort between in-office treatments.
Hylo dual eye drops can help safeguard your eyes from excessive tear evaporation. As their name suggests, these eye drops are designed to both stabilize your tear film and provide long-lasting protection against dryness.
Calmo eye spray is designed to help stabilize the tear film’s lipid layer, which helps prevent excessive evaporation. Calmo eye spray is made with liposomes, which act like the eye’s natural lipids. The spray is applied to closed eyes, where it mixes with the eye’s natural lipids and prevents tears from running over the lid margin or evaporating too quickly.
Thealoz duo eye drops may be prescribed to patients with moderate to severe dry eye to be used in conjunction with regular in-office treatments. As its name suggests, these eye drops contain two significant ingredients – trehalose and sodium hyaluronate. Trehalose is used to protect the eye’s epithelial cells so they can become more resistant to the everyday stress of dry environments and tear film changes that can cause dry eye. Sodium hyaluronate is used to help your tears retain the water they need to hydrate and lubricate your eye’s surface.
Hyabak eye drops are made with sodium hyaluronate, which is used to lubricate and hydrate your eye’s surface by helping prevent excessive tear evaporation. These eye drops are suitable for almost all dry eye patients, including those with moderate to severe dry eyes. They are designed to reduce or even eliminate symptoms such as dryness or grittiness, providing long-lasting relief between appointments.
Ocunox eye ointment is designed for overnight corneal protection. The cornea is particularly sensitive to drying at night since our eyes don’t typically produce tears while we are sleeping. Ocunox is designed to protect the surface of the eye and improve your tear film, providing long-lasting dry eye relief during the day.
Blephadex produces a variety of at-home dry eye maintenance products, including cleansing eyelid wipes, warming eyelid wipes, and eyelid foam to help you get long-lasting relief from your dry eyes between in-office treatment sessions.
Quite often it is caused by your environment: dry or recycled air can whip moisture from your eyes, and low-humidity environments can trigger the condition. Other possible causes include:
Dry eye disease is typically related to 2 main factors: inadequate tear volume and poor tear quality.
Our bodies produce tears using several different glands located in and around our eyelids. As we age, our eyes aren’t able to produce as many tears as they once did, which can cause dry eyes. Some medical conditions and medications can also impact tear production.
Environmental factors can also cause dry eyes. Even if we can produce enough tears, dry air or windy weather can cause our tears to evaporate too quickly.
Tears are made up of three main ingredients: meibum (a type of oil), water, and mucin. Meibum is the outer tear layer, forming a thin protective barrier and preventing our tears from evaporating too quickly. Mucin helps our tears spread evenly across the surface of our eyes, protecting our corneas. If our tears evaporate too quickly, or our tears are not uniformly distributed, it can result in dry eyes.
The following clinical studies were referenced on this page.
Regular eye exams are a vital part of ensuring your vision remains healthy and vibrant for years to come. Woodstock Vision Care is ready to evaluate your eye health and ensure your prescription is up to date.
We are conveniently located in downtown Woodstock on Dundas Street at the end of Perry Street. (nestled between Coffee Culture and Crabby Joes). Come pay us a visit!
We are closed for all statutory holidays, and long weekends.
Hours are subject to change without notice.
Woodstock Vision Care
