Dry Eye Therapy in Maple Ridge

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Are You Experiencing Dry, Irritated Eyes?

Dry eyes can feel like a normal part of life, but you should not live with this irritation. Your eyes may be tired after a long day, but consistent discomfort is a cause for concern. Millions of Canadians struggle with dry eye disease.

 If you regularly experience dry eyes throughout the day, consider booking an eye exam. We can help determine the cause of your discomfort and recommend effective solutions for your needs.

What Is Dry Eye Disease?

You can experience dry eyes, known as dry eye disease, when your tears cannot effectively lubricate your eyes. Approximately 30% of Canadians experience this issue. Without proper moisture, you may experience red, sore eyes or other symptoms of dry eye disease.

Dry eye disease symptoms include:

  • Red eyes
  • Eyes that sting or burn
  • Blurred vision
  • Eye fatigue
  • Light sensitivity
  • Foreign object sensation
  • Itchy or scratchy eyes
  • Watery eyes

Determining the Cause of Your Dry Eyes

Dry eyes typically occur due to an issue within your tear film. Your tear film consists of 3 layers that help lubricate and protect your eyes each time you blink. Complications can lead to increased tear evaporation or decreased tear production.

Evaporative dry eye disease occurs when the oily layer in your tear film is out of balance. This oily substance spreads across your eye’s surface each time you blink, preventing your tears from evaporating too quickly. If your tear film lacks oil, your tears dry out faster, leaving you with dry eyes. 

The common causes of evaporative dry eye disease include: 

Aqueous tear-deficient dry eye disease occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough water in the tear film. Without enough water to produce tears, your eyes become dry and uncomfortable. While age is a common reason for decreased tear production, other causes include: 

Treating Dry Eyes

There is currently no cure for dry eyes, but we can help you effectively manage this condition. Many treatments exist to help provide comfort and relieve your dry eye symptoms. Depending on the cause of your dry eyes, your optometrist can offer several recommendations. 

Heat masks can help reduce dry eye symptoms by improving hydration, increasing oil production, and reducing inflammation. These masks provide heat to the eyelids, helping release clogged oil in the meibomian glands, a common cause of dry eyes. Additionally, the heat provided by these masks can provide comfort by easing inflammation.

Prescription eye drops help address the specific factors causing your dry eyes. Products like Restasis stimulate the production of tears for patients with chronic dry eyes. Another prescription medication is Xiidra, which targets the source of the inflammation that can cause your dry eyes. 

Preservative-free artificial tears simulate real tears, providing temporary moisture for your eyes. These eye drops are available without a prescription and can help protect your tears from evaporating too quickly. You should talk to your eye doctor before using storebought eye drops because some can negatively affect your eye health

If necessary, we are more than willing to write you a referral for intense pulsed light (IPL) or radio frequency (RF) treatment. These treatments can address meibomian gland dysfunction and ease dry eye symptoms. 

IPL utilizes pulses of light to treat meibomian gland dysfunction. Typically, several treatment sessions are required to achieve optimal results. IPL is an ideal option if other dry eye treatments have not been successful. 

RF treatment for dry eyes involves using energy waves to heat your eyelids and remove blockages in the meibomian glands. After treating your meibomian glands, your treatment provider may massage these glands to express trapped oil.

Don’t Let Dry Eyes Affect Your Quality of Life

Dry eyes can be irritating and uncomfortable to deal with, but you don’t need to let this condition affect your quality of life. With help from our team at Maple Ridge Eye Care, you can find ways to manage your dry eyes and relieve your symptoms. Book an appointment if you suffer from dry eyes and see how we can help. 

OUR LOCATION

Maple Ridge Eye Care is located on the corner of Dewdney Trunk Road and 230 Street, directly across from the Tim Hortons. Parking is available in the lot directly behind our practice. If you have any questions or are having trouble finding us, please give us a call!

Exterior of Maple Ridge Eye Care located on the corner of Dewdney Trunk Road and 230 Street

Our Address

  • 23015 Dewdney Trunk Road
  • Maple Ridge, BC V2X 3K9

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