Key Takeaways
- Dry eye disease happens when your eyes make too few tears or your tears dry up too quickly.
- Small daily habits, like blinking often, taking screen breaks, and using a humidifier, can help ease discomfort.
- Artificial tears offer short-term relief, while prescription drops can help calm inflammation.
- Modern in-office options include light-based therapy and punctal plugs.
- An optometrist can build a dry eye plan around your needs and lifestyle.
If you have dry eye, you know the feeling: stinging, gritty eyes by afternoon, blinking to clear blurry vision, and watery eyes that won’t go away. If eye drops aren’t helping anymore, you might be wondering if there are any other treatments available. Our optometrists in Vaughan at Lowy & Sewell Eye Care are here to help.
Today’s dry eye treatments range from simple habit changes and preservative-free drops to prescription medications and in-office options like light therapy and punctal plugs. An eye exam with our team can help you determine which approach could bring you relief.
What Is Dry Eye Disease?
Dry eye disease is multifactorial, meaning it’s often caused by several factors rather than a single source. In many cases, dry eye happens when your eyes don’t produce enough tears, or the tears you do produce dry up too quickly. This can affect your comfort, your vision, and how you get through your day.
One of the more common causes of dry eye happens when the oil-producing glands lining your eyes get clogged. This means your tear film lacks its oily layer, so your tears evaporate too quickly and leave you with dry eye symptoms.
Signs and Symptoms to Watch For
Dry eye can feel different from person to person, and these are some signs you might notice:
- Your eyes burn, sting, or feel gritty and sandy.
- Your eyes look red or feel tired.
- You experience blurry vision that comes and goes when you blink.
- Bright light bothers you, or your contact lenses feel uncomfortable.
Common Risk Factors for Dry Eye
Age and hormone changes play a role for many people. Long hours on screens, wind, smoke, and dry indoor air can also leave your eyes feeling parched. Some health conditions and specific medications are linked to dry eye, too, which is why your eye doctor may ask you for a detailed health history at your eye exam.
Simple Daily Habits to Ease Dry Eye
Small Changes at Home and Work
A few small adjustments can make your day more comfortable. Try these tips:
- Blink often while you read or look at a screen.
- Run a humidifier and sit away from direct air from vents.
- Wear protective eyewear outdoors on windy days.
- Use a specially designed heated mask to help support blocked glands.
How to Choose Eye Drops for Dry Eye
Artificial Tears for Quick Relief
Artificial tears offer short-term comfort when your eyes feel dry or scratchy. They’re handy to keep in your bag or desk drawer. However, they don’t treat the underlying cause of your dry eye. If you reach for them several times a day, it may be worth talking to an eye doctor about in-office dry eye treatments.
Preservative-Free Eye Drops
Many drops contain preservatives that can irritate some people’s eyes with long-term use. If you reach for eye drops throughout the day, we recommend preservative-free options.
Prescription Eye Drops
If dry eye persists or worsens, your optometrist may recommend prescription drops that can help calm inflammation or support tear production.
Modern In-Office Treatments for Dry Eye
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy
Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy is an option if blocked oil glands lining your eyelids play a role in your dry eye. The gentle light pulses are designed to improve the outflow of the hardened oil blocking the glands and calm inflammation, helping relieve your dry eye symptoms.
IPL treatment usually involves a series of sessions, spaced a few weeks apart. Your eye doctor can assess your eyes to determine if they’re a good option for you.
Punctal Plugs
Punctal plugs are tiny plugs placed in the small openings of your tear ducts. They help keep your natural tears on your eyes longer, which can be helpful for people whose dry eye is caused by tears that drain too quickly.
Other Options for Stubborn Dry Eye
For dry eye that persists despite other care, your optometrist may suggest specialty contact lenses, special eye drops, or a take-home warm compress.
How an Eye Doctor Can Help
Dry eye rarely has one simple fix, and your plan depends on what’s going on with your eyes. Here’s what care with optometrists in Thornhill, Vaughan can look like:
- A dry eye exam helps pinpoint your type of dry eye and what’s behind it.
- Your optometrist can build a treatment plan around your needs and lifestyle.
- Follow-up visits with optometrists in Vaughan help your care adjust as your eyes respond.
Book Your Appointment
At Lowy & Sewell Eye Care, our team takes time to learn how dry eye affects your work, your hobbies, and your comfort at home. Book a dry eye exam today and take the first step toward eyes that feel more comfortable from morning to evening.
