Can You Wear Contact Lenses With Dry Eyes?
Yes, many people with dry eyes can wear contact lenses comfortably with the right strategy and lens choice. […]
Don’t Settle for Uncomfortable, Dry Eyes
Dry eyes can be uncomfortable and make everyday activities more challenging. When your eyes are irritated, dry, or uncomfortable, it affects your vision. You may feel like closing or rubbing your eyes—anything to alleviate the sensation.
You don’t have to settle for dry eyes! Healthy tears are an essential part of healthy vision. Our eye care team can help you find a solution. Visit Westmount Optometrists today so we can assess your eye health and discuss treatment options.
What Is Dry Eye?
Tears are a crucial part of your eye health. They keep the surface of the eye moist and clean, preventing infection and supporting vision. Every time you blink, a layer of moisture, called the tear film, spreads across your eye. However, when your eyes don’t produce enough quality tears, it can affect eye comfort and vision.
The tear film has 3 layers:
- The oily outer layer prevents tear evaporation
- The watery middle layer nourishes the eyes and keeps them wet
- The inner mucus layer helps tears stick to the eye surface
Each layer helps support the composition, quality, or amount of tears available. When one or more layers are affected, it can cause dry eye.
How We Diagnose and Treat Dry Eye
Dry eye can cause red, stinging, and irritated eyes. You may notice your symptoms worsen while wearing contact lenses, in front of a fan or air vent, or in certain environments.
While dry eye seems like a short-term annoyance, it can be harmful to long-term eye health. Excessive or prolonged dryness can increase the risk of eye damage or infection, including vision impairment.
To get to the root of the issue and clear up your symptoms, your optometrist will evaluate your eyes and discuss lifestyle factors to determine the cause and decide on a treatment plan. Every treatment is patient-specific. What works for treating your dry eye may not work as effectively for another person.
Symptoms of dry eye include:
- Gritty or scratchy-feeling eyes
- Redness and irritation
- Burning or stinging eyes
- Excessive tearing
- Feeling something in the eye
- Fluctuating or blurry vision
Dry eye can be caused by:
- Aging
- Environmental conditions
- Digital eye strain
- Medications
- Hormonal changes
- Blinking problems
- Excessive UV exposure
Dry eye may be a symptom of other health conditions, such as meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), which can block the meibomian glands that line your eyelids from releasing the oils necessary for healthy tears.
After diagnosing why your eyes are dry, we can create a customized treatment plan. This may include warm compresses, prescription eye drops, medicated ointments, and more.
For example, digital eye strain is a common lifestyle cause of dry eye. Decreasing your screen time or using artificial tears may be the most effective solution.
Throughout the process, we will work with you to find the right balance of effective treatments that fit your life.
Visit Us for Dry Eye Relief
Dry eye shouldn’t take over your life. Our team at Westmount Optometrists can develop a plan to support your eye health and comfort. Contact us today for dry eye relief.
Where to Find Us
At the corner of Springbank Drive and Wonderland Road, our clinic offers plenty of parking out front.
Our Address
- 585 Springbank Dr.
- London, ON N6J 1H3
Talk to Us
- Phone: 519-472-0210
- Email: info@westmounteyes.com
Hours of Operation
Monday:
8:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Tuesday:
8:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Wednesday:
8:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Thursday:
8:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Friday:
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday:
Closed
Sunday:
Closed
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