Dry Eye Treatment at Stonebridge Eyecare
How many times a day do you think of your eyes? If your eyes are dry, it might be all the time. Dry eye can seem like a life sentence of frustration and irritation. It shouldn’t be that way!
Thankfully, our optometrists at Stonebridge Eyecare have a number of ways to alleviate the symptoms of this condition. With your input, we will build a plan for you, based on your needs and lifestyle. While dry eye is a chronic condition, our optometrists work closely with you to find effective solutions that provide lasting relief from symptoms and support your ongoing ocular health.
Ready to find relief? Book your dry eye consultation today.
What Is Dry Eye?
Dry eye, also known as ocular surface disease, occurs when your eyes do not produce enough tears or when the tears produced lack the quality needed to keep the eye surface lubricated.
Healthy visual comfort relies on a stable tear film made up of three distinct layers: oil, water, and mucus. If any component of this tear film becomes imbalanced, the tears evaporate too quickly or fail to coat the surface evenly, leading to inflammation, redness, and persistent surface irritation.
What Causes Dry Eye?
A variety of environmental factors, underlying medical conditions, medication side effects, and daily habits can trigger or worsen dry eye symptoms.
Common causes of dry eye include:
- Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD): Meibomian glands are tiny oil glands that line the eyelids. If they become blocked or inflamed, they cannot produce sufficient oil to prevent tear evaporation.
- Environmental exposure: Saskatchewan’s dry climate, cold winter winds, indoor heating, and continuous air conditioning.
- Digital eye strain: Reduced blinking frequency during extended screen use on computers, phones, or tablets.
- Aging: Decreased tear production associated with aging or hormonal shifts.
- Blepharitis: Chronic inflammation caused by bacterial growth or debris along the lash line that disrupts tear stability.
Common Symptoms of Dry Eye
The most obvious symptom is actually dry eyes; however, there are a number of other indications of dry eye disease.
- Dryness
- Foreign body sensation, or grit or sand, in the eye
- Bursts of excessive watering
- Burning or itching
- Redness
- Light sensitivity
- Stringy discharge
- Excessive glare or halos around lights
- Discomfort while wearing contact lenses
How We Treat and Manage Dry Eye
Because dry eye stems from different causes, the first step in an effective treatment method is a thorough evaluation to understand the root cause of the condition.
Our optometrists use diagnostic assessments to examine your tear quality, eyelid margins, and gland function before creating a personalized management strategy.
Punctal plugs are tiny, biocompatible devices inserted into the small tear drainage channels located in the corners of your eyelids. By partially blocking drainage, these plugs help retain your natural tears on the surface of your eyes for longer periods.
Prescription eye drops address underlying surface inflammation and help stimulate natural tear production. Our optometrists select specific anti-inflammatory or tear-enhancing medications tailored to your unique tear film imbalance.
Meibomian gland expression is an in-office procedure that gently clears blockages from the oil-producing glands in your eyelids. By applying controlled heat and gentle pressure, hardened oils are melted and cleared, restoring natural oil flow to the tear film.
BlephEx is a specialized in-office treatment designed to clean the edges of your eyelids and eyelash follicles. Using a micro-sponge system, this procedure removes accumulated bacterial biofilm, scaly skin, and debris that contribute to eyelid inflammation and MGD.
Eyelid or gland debridement involves carefully clearing away excess keratin and material built up along the margins of the eyelids. Opening these clogged glands allows healthy oils to flow freely, improving overall tear film quality.
Relief and Support for Your Dry Eyes
Living with dry eye does not have to interfere with your daily comfort and routine. Through detailed evaluations, targeted therapies, and continuous monitoring, Stonebridge Eyecare helps manage dry eye symptoms over the long term.
Contact Stonebridge Eyecare today to book an appointment for advice and treatment options specific to you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dry Eye
Dry and irritated eyes often result from your body not producing enough tears or from a poor-quality tear film that evaporates too quickly. Our dry Saskatoon climate, certain medications, and blocked eyelid glands can all contribute to this frustrating daily discomfort. Book an appointment with your eye doctor to determine if you require specific treatment to improve your symptoms.
Because dry eye is a complex chronic condition, there is no single quick fix, but it can be effectively managed with professional guidance. Book a consultation at our clinic so we can uncover the specific cause of your dry eye and build a tailored solution for your relief.
Yes, focusing on digital screens significantly reduces your blink rate, which prevents natural tears from properly coating and lubricating your eye surface. If you spend long hours on devices, booking an eye exam can help you find tailored solutions to manage digital eye strain and maintain comfort.
Beyond a standard dry sensation, common signs include a gritty or burning feeling, excessive watering, redness, and blurry vision that fluctuates throughout the day. If you regularly experience these symptoms, schedule an eye exam with our team to evaluate your eye health.
While standard artificial tears might offer temporary comfort, they rarely address the root causes of chronic tear film imbalance or eyelid inflammation. For lasting relief, we encourage you to book a dry eye consultation to receive targeted therapies customized to your unique tear profile.
The only way to pinpoint the true cause of your discomfort is through a detailed diagnostic assessment of your tears, cornea, and eyelid glands. Book an appointment with Stonebridge Eyecare today to learn more about the cause of your dry eye and begin a personalized treatment plan.
Visit Our Location
We’re located in Stonebridge, on the corner of Cope Lane and Stonebridge Boulevard. Find us next to the Saskatoon Dermatology Centre and Stonebridge Dental Centre. Free parking is available.
Our Address
Contact Information
- Phone: 306-664-2638
- Fax: 306-653-5822
- Email: secadmin@yxevision.ca
After Hours Emergencies: 306-371-9911
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