Treat Your Dry, Itchy Eyes

Have you ever continuously rubbed your eyes to no avail, wondering why the stinging, burning, or itchy feeling just wouldn’t let up? You could be struggling with dry eye syndrome, an eye condition that affects 30% of Canadians.

You can get dry eyes from various factors, but one thing stays the same: it’s uncomfortable. At Visus Eyewear + Eyecare, we will gladly assess your eye health and determine if you have dry eyes. We have in-office and at-home treatments to give your eyes the relief they crave.

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What is Dry Eye Syndrome?

The common eye condition affects your tear film (comprising three layers we’ll discuss below) and overall eye comfort.

The layers of your tear film keep your eyes hydrated, and a dysfunction in one or more of the layers often results in dry eye syndrome. The layers of the tear film each have a distinct responsibility:

Mucin layer: the inner mucus layer keeps the tear film attached to the eye.
Aqueous layer: the watery middle layer hydrates and nourishes the eye.
Lipid layer: the oily outer layer prevents your tears from evaporating too quickly and keeps the eye’s surface smooth.

When each of these layers functions well, the tear film ensures you have adequate tears to lubricate your eyes. So, a breach in their function could cause dry eyes.

Why Do I Have Dry Eyes?

The causes of dry eye syndrome vary from person to person, depending on age, environment, and medical history. Dry eye occurs when there’s a tear film dysfunction, which could result from the following factors:

Aging
Previous medical conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, thyroid issues
Vitamin A deficiency
Certain medications, including hormone replacement therapy, antidepressants, birth control
Nerve damage in the eye
Eye conditions like blepharitis or meibomian gland dysfunction
Eye allergies
Blinking less often due to digital eye strain or certain conditions like Parkinson’s disease
Exposure to wind, smoke, dry air

So, whether you have eye allergies, are predisposed to eye conditions, or aging gracefully, visit us at Visus Eyewear + Eyecare to find out if you have dry eye syndrome. The more we know, the better we can treat you.

Dry Eye Symptoms

One thing is for sure: dry eyes are uncomfortable. Dry eye symptoms will typically appear in both eyes, and you may notice:

Stinging, burning, or itchy eyes
Eye redness
Feeling like there’s something in your eye
Blurry vision

Tired eyes
Light sensitivity
Stringy mucus around your eyes
Watery eyes

Is There Treatment for Dry Eyes?

Whether you experience one dry eye symptom or several, we understand you crave a little relief. Dry eye syndrome is one of the many eye issues we can detect during our comprehensive eye exams.

Once we get a closer look at your eye health, we can recommend an appropriate treatment plan for your needs. We offer in-office and at-home dry eye solutions for your convenience.

Over-the-Counter or Prescription Eye Drops

You can use eye drops (artificial tears) to help reduce redness, inflammation, and support tear production. Based on your dry eye symptoms, we may recommend over-the-counter eye drops with lubricants and electrolytes or prescribe medicated eye drops with anti-inflammatory properties.

Therapeutic Eye Masks

Your meibomian glands (along the edge of the eyelid) can become blocked and limit the amount of oil you need for adequate tear production, leading to dry eye symptoms. Relief can be achieved with warm therapeutic eye masks designed to soften and loosen the buildup in your glands, allowing tear production to improve.

Omega-3 Supplements

Studies show that omega-3 fatty acids might help maintain healthy vision. These mighty minerals are found in fish oil, and many supplements are on the market. Omega-3 fatty acids support our bodies in so many ways, including vision—is there anything they can’t do?

Ask us about which supplements we recommend for you.

Get Comfort for Your Dry Eyes at Visus Eyewear + Eyecare

Are your eyes causing you discomfort? Let us help you find the relief you deserve and say goodbye to those pesky dry eye symptoms.

See an Optometrist

Visit Us

Stop by our office on Upper James Street just north of Rymal Road E. We’re right off the LINC for convenient access from all over the Greater Hamilton area.