Tailored Advice for Relieving Symptoms of Dry Eye Syndrome

Visit the Experts for a Comprehensive Diagnosis

Dry eye is an irritating, and sometimes painful, condition which affects many Canadians. It strikes most often in the winter, but can be triggered by seasonal allergies (like hay fever) or be ever-present depending on the climate. It’s not usually too severe, but proper diagnosis and verified treatment options can go a long way towards easing the symptoms.

Paying Us a Visit Could Pay Dividends for Your Health

Dry eye is an uncomfortable condition and in many cases it can affect your ability to focus properly at work, or manage some day-to-day activities. However, many individuals self-diagnose themselves with dry eye when they are, in fact, experiencing symptoms from another illness. That, or they pursue treatment options which aren’t best suited to their specific case of dry eye.

The best way to get an accurate diagnosis and useful treatment plan is by coming to Westmount Optometrists or Glencoe Optometrists for a comprehensive eye exam.

All About Dry Eye

What is dry eye

When your eye does not produce enough lubrication, or manage that lubrication correctly, it can become dry and irritable. This is dry eye.

Causes

Some causes of dry eye are difficult to avoid, such as the weather and elements of your work environment. In addition to the following, underlying illnesses and laser eye surgery can also produce dry eye type symptoms:

Seasonal allergies such as hay fever.
Skin diseases around the eye.
Poor diet.
Smoking.
Digital eye strain.

Symptoms

The different symptoms of dry eye are numerous and vary from person to person. They include:

A burning sensation around the eye.
Itchiness, or pain, around the eye.
Blurred vision.
Unusual discomfort with contact lenses.
Difficulty keeping your eyes open, particularly at a screen.

Treatment

There are various types of treatment. The most suitable depends on the type of dry eye you have and severity of your symptoms, but it is often as simple as using a warm compress or eye drops to add a little moisture to the eyes.

Medication to produce artificial tears may be used in a more severe case, while in extreme cases there are corticosteroid eye creams which can help alleviate painful symptoms. Every treatment is patient-specific, so an accurate diagnosis is critical.

Best practices

A lack of lubricant in the eye is often a sign of dehydration. By drinking more water, and taking on fluid-rich foods like soup and fruit, you body will be better hydrated and less prone to dry eye symptoms. Try to avoid dry air (like air conditioning or driving with the window down) and protect your eyes if going outside exacerbates symptoms.