Dry Eye Treatment in Saskatoon

Are Dry Eyes Tearing You Up?

You probably don’t spend too much time thinking about your eyes until they start to bother you. Dryness, grittiness, or the feeling that something is caught in your eye—all of these sensations can be distracting and put a damper on your day. This kind of discomfort means you’re probably suffering from dry eye syndrome.

Dry eye syndrome is one of the most common eye conditions. At Vista Eyecare, we can determine the root cause of your dry eye symptoms and find a strategy to help you restovre comfortable vision. It all starts with an eye exam. Book your next appointment with our team today.

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What Is Dry Eye Syndrome?

Dry eye syndrome occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or produce poor-quality tears.

​​​​​​​The surface of your eyes is covered with a thin layer of tears (known as the tear film) that keeps them hydrated, healthy, and comfortable. However, certain issues can affect your tear quality or volume, leading to dry eye symptoms.

Your tear film comprises 3 distinct layers,

each of which plays a specific role. These layers are:

MUCIN LAYER

(MUCUS)
The innermost layer is responsible for keeping your tear film adhered to your eye.

Aqueous Layer

(WATERY)
The middle layer is responsible for keeping your eyes hydrated.

Lipid Layer

(MUCUS)
The outermost layer of your tear film is responsible for preventing the tear film from evaporating.

Symptoms

Dry eye syndrome can lead to symptoms like:

  • A gritty sensation or feeling that something is in your eye

  • Burning

  • Redness

  • Bursts of excessive watering

  • Blurry vision that comes and goes or clears when you blink

  • Mucus or discharge

  • Light sensitivity

Causes

There are many possible underlying causes of dry eyes, so it’s important to have an eye exam to determine what might be giving rise to your symptoms. Some of the most common causes include:

  • Aging

  • Certain medications

  • Eye conditions like blepharitis and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)

  • Medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome, thyroid disease, and lupus

  • Poorly lubricated contact lenses

  • Laser eye surgery (dry eyes are a common side effect of the surgery)

Our Treatment Strategies

Non-Prescription Eye Drops, Ointment, & Gels

We offer a range of over-the-counter lubricating products to provide the vital tears that your eyes need. We always recommend speaking with one of our doctors before purchasing lubricating drops, gels, or ointments so they can recommend the best one for you.

Prescription Eye Drops

Medicated eye drops available by prescription can only be used to reduce redness and provide relief from burning and irritation.

These drops suppress inflammation and promote healthy tear production. Depending on your particular dry eye causes and symptoms, you should notice an improvement in 1 to 3 months.

Omega-3 Supplements

Omega-3 fatty acids serve several important functions in your body, one of which is helping with dry eye symptoms. We carry two high-quality omega-3 supplement options: one derived from fish oil (Macula 2 TG-Gold) and a microalgae vegan option (NutraVege). Both help promote a stable, healthy tear film.

Eyelid Hygiene Products

We offer several eyelid cleansing products to treat blepharitis and meibomian gland dysfunction, including:

  • i-Lid ‘n Lash cleanser with and without tea tree oil

  • ClearChoice hypochlorous spray

  • We Love Eyes cleansers for lash extensions

In-Office Procedures

If you have meibomian gland dysfunction that does not respond to other treatments, our doctors can gently scrape the openings of your meibomian glands using special tools. Once any obstructing debris is removed, they will apply gentle pressure to open up the glands and promote the flow of oil.