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Dry Eye Treatment in Port Elgin

Dry eye syndrome (DES) is a chronic condition that develops when your eyes do not produce and maintain enough tears to keep the eye’s surface lubricated.

This can be due to a reduction in tear production or increased tear evaporation from a lack of lipid in the tears that stem from oil glands in the eyelids. The effects can range from minor dryness and discomfort to pain, blurred vision and frequent infections.

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Symptoms Of Dry Eye Disease

The main function of tears is to maintain the health of the cornea of your eye by washing away foreign matter and ensuring that the surface of your eye remains moist, smooth and clear. Tears also rinse away dust particles from your eyes and contain enzymes that protect your eyes from bacteria that can cause infections.

Dry eyes is a condition that develops when the amount of tears produced is not sufficient to maintain the moisture balance in your eye. This can result in that scratchy sensation, a continuous feeling of dryness, stinging and a sensation of a foreign body in your eye. Ironically in an effort to fight off the condition, dry eyes can cause you to produce excessive tears, which is why some people experience watery eyes.

Environmental Causes

Hot, dry and/or windy climates, high altitudes, excessive sun exposure, central heating, air conditioning, hair dryers, cigarette smoke, air pollution, air travel.

Medications: (prescription and/or over-the-counter)

Medications which can cause, exacerbate, or increase dry eye symptoms: Allergy medications, esp. antihistamines, Antidepressants, (e.g. amitriptyline, diazepam), some blood pressure medications, parkinson's medications, birth control pills, diuretics, beta blockers, sleeping pills, many pain medications, certain medications which regulate heart rhythm irregularities, and most decongestants

Diseases

Parkinson's disease, Sjögren's syndrome (an auto-immune disease), Rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus, Lacrimal gland deficiency, Diabetes, Sarcoidosis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Rosacea: Facial rosacea is commonly associated with ocular rosacea, which causes conditions such as blepharitis.

Refractive Eye Surgeries

Dry eye is the most common complaint or adverse event following LASIK.

Hormonal Deficiencies Or Changes

Thyroid conditions, Hormonal changes during menopause, Decreased production of androgen, Estrogen supplementation -(there are reports both of this improving dry eye conditions and worsening them).

Low Blink Rate

Blinking is critical in spreading tears over the surface of the eye and stimulating tear production. A chronic low blink rate is associated with dry eye symptoms. Computer use, reading, and watching TV are the three activities most commonly associated with a low blink rate.

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eye doctor, woman with dry eye in Port Elgin, Ontario

Causes of Dry Eye Disease

Dry eyes can occur naturally as a result of aging or hormonal changes, typically in women who are pregnant, taking oral contraceptives or going through menopause. In fact, women over 50 have a 50% greater risk of dry eye disease than men do of the same age.

It can also result from taking certain medications that reduce tear production such as antihistamines, blood pressure medications, and antidepressants. Environmental factors can also play a role in drying out the eyes and DED is common in areas where the climate is dry, dusty and windy.

Home air conditioners or heating systems and excessive time spent staring at a computer or television screen can also dry out eyes and exacerbate symptoms due to the lack of blinking while staring at our screens.

Individuals that suffer from certain medical conditions such as diabetes, presbyopia, blepharitis, lupus, arthritis and thyroid problems are more vulnerable to developing DED.

Other causes can be due to eye surgery including LASIK, certain conditions in which the eyelids don’t close properly or extended contact lens use.

optometrsit, young man with dry eye sendrome in Port Elgin, Ontario

Diagnosis of Dry Eye Disease By Our St. Catharines Eye Doctors

Typically, dry eye disease can be diagnosed through a comprehensive eye exam and a description of your symptoms. On some occasions the eye doctor might decide to do a test that measures how quickly your tears evaporate from the surface of your eye.

By instilling a simple dye called fluorescein (much like food coloring) the doctor is able to watch and count how long it takes the tears to start to break up after they’ve asked you to hold your eyes open after a blink. This is called TBUT or a Tear Break Up Time test.

A low TBUT generally indicates a lipid (aka oil) deficiency in the tears resulting from oil glands in the eyelids not functioning properly.

In another type of test, called a Schirmer test, a strip of filter paper is placed under the lid of the eye and you will be asked to close your eye for five minutes.

Following the test the amount of moisture on the strip will be measured. Schirmer tests are performed less frequently than a TBUT test.

Treatment for Dry Eyes At Saugeen Shores Family Eye Care

There are many treatment options for dry eyes which are highly dependant upon the cause and severity of the condition. Dry eye disease won’t have a permanent effect on your vision, but there is no reason to endure dry, itchy and uncomfortable eyes, especially since there are so many treatment options to increase moisture and comfort.

It’s also important to realize that this is a chronic disease that needs consistent treatment. Our eye care specialist in Saugeen Shores Family Eye Care will work with you to create a long term strategy to keep your eyes as comfortable as possible.

Many mild forms of DED can be alleviated using artificial tears or lubricant eye drops to make up for the lack of natural tears usually produced by your eyes. If over-the-counter drops don’t alleviate your symptoms, your doctor might prescribe prescription drops that actually stimulate tear production or steroids for short-term relief.

More severe cases of dry eyes might be treated with a punctal insert which is a tiny insert containing a slow-release lubricating substance that is placed inside the lower eyelid.

Since DED is often related to eyelid inflammation known as blepharitis your doctor may prescribe a heated hot compress mask, specialty eyelid scrubs and sometimes an antibiotic ointment.  

Finally, punctal plugs might be recommended for severe cases which would be inserted into the tear ducts to reduce the tear drainage in your eyes to keep them from drying out.

If the cause of your dry eyes is something external or environmental, eliminating that cause may solve the problem and resolve the symptoms.  

Avoid dry environments, hair dryers, heaters and fans, (particularly directed toward the eyes) and smoky environments and wear eye protection such as wrap around glasses or goggles when in dusty or windy areas.  

Use a humidifier to add moisture to dry indoor air.  If working on computer or watching television, make sure to blink purposefully as our natural tendency is to reduce our blink rate when staring at a screen. Also avoid rubbing your eyes as this can further irritate them. Staying hydrated by drinking at least 8 to 10 glasses of water per day can also help.

In cases where discontinuation or switching to different medications is possible this can eradicate symptoms.  Our Saugeen Shores Family Eye Care eye doctor may also recommend that you limit or refrain from contact lens use for a certain amount of time or switch to a different brand or type of contact lens which will reduce dehydration.

Eye doctor, woman wearing contact lenses in Port Elgin, Ontario

Contact Lens Discomfort & Dry Eyes

Have you been wearing contact lenses comfortably for years, but now your eyes feel dry, scratchy and irritated?

Optometrist, woman having a headache in Port Elgin, Ontario

Do You Wake up with Red Burning Eyes?

“Burning Eyes” is often associated with either dry eye syndrome, an allergic reaction, blepharitis, or even pink eye.

Eye doctor, woman holding an orange over her eye in Port Elgin, Ontario

Is Dry Eyes Affected By Nutrition?

Choose foods & supplements that will ensure less dryness and actually heal many causes of dry eye.

Schedule an Dry Eye Exam
Call 888-389-5511
  • Contact Lens Discomfort & Dry Eyes
    ave you been wearing contact lenses comfortably for years, but now your eyes feel dry, scratchy and irritated? You’re in good company.
  • Dry Eyes & Nutrition
    You can develop dry eyes based on a variety of factors. Nutrition is one of those factors. Choose foods & supplements that will ensure less dryness.
  • Do You Wake up with Burning Eyes?
    "Burning Eyes” is often associated with either dry eye syndrome, an allergic reaction, blepharitis, or even pink eye.