Unlock Your Path to Comfortable Vision
Whether on the go or relaxing at home, comfortable vision is an important part of your everyday life. However, dry eye disease can affect your life at the moments you rely on your vision the most, like at work or with family.
When you visit the team at Downtown Vision Care, we can determine the cause of your symptoms and provide strategies for restoring your eye comfort.
Are You Experiencing Dry Eye?
Dry eye is one of the most common eye conditions people can experience. It generally occurs when your tear film, a thin layer covering the eye surface, is unstable. Without a stable tear film, you can experience:
- Irritation
- Redness
- Wateriness
- Blurry vision
- Burning
You can develop dry eye for many reasons. Some might experience it with age, too much time on digital devices, or environmental factors, but others might have a higher risk of dry eye due to health conditions or medications.
Common Dry Eye Causes
Your tear film is made up of 3 distinct components: mucus, water, and oil. If your tear film lacks any of these components, you may experience dry eye symptoms. The 2 different forms of dry eye are:
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
One of the most common causes of evaporative dry eye is meibomian gland dysfunction. Your meibomian glands are located beside your eyelash follicles in and are responsible for secreting oils to help stabilize your tear film. However, if they become blocked or inflamed, it can lead to dry eye symptoms.
Blepharitis is a similar eye condition that makes your eyelids red, swollen, irritated, and itchy. It can cause crusty dandruff-like flakes on your eyelashes. Blepharitis can be uncomfortable.
How We Can Help
We’ll work to determine what may be causing your dry eye symptoms when you come in for a comprehensive eye exam. During this exam, we’ll look at your tear film stability and the various structures that help support your eye comfort.
Although dry eye covers a range of symptoms, there are numerous causes and many ways to help address them. During your exam we’ll discuss your main concerns and lifestyle to develop a treatment plan personalized to your unique situation. Book an appointment today.
Prescription & Over-the-Counter Eye Drops
Eye drops are one of the most common strategies to help address dry eye symptoms. Depending on your symptoms, we might recommend prescription eye drops to help find the relief you need.
Please speak to our team before using over-the-counter eye drops. Although many can help address your symptoms, some products might not suit your eyes. We sell eyedrops and the products mentioned below on our online store.
Bruder Mask
A Bruder mask is a treatment we might recommend to help address dry eye caused by meibomian gland dysfunction.
After heating the mask, it’s gently placed over your eyelids to help melt blockages in your meibomian glands and promote healthy oil production.
Lid Scrubs
We carry a range of lid scrubs to help manage the effect meibomian gland dysfunction can have on your eye comfort.
We may recommend these scrubs to help clean away bacteria debris on your eyelids that may affect your meibomian glands.
BIHOCL
BIHOCL is an effective antimicrobial solution for daily lid hygiene and is effective for treatment of dry eye, blepharitis and styes. It removes bacteria and reduces inflammation of your eyelids to restore ocular comfort.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Studies show consuming omega-3 fatty acids, whether in foods you eat or in a supplement, may help reduce your risk of developing macular degeneration and glaucoma. Research also shows not only can omega-3 fatty acids help reduce your risk of developing dry eyes, but it may also help treat bothersome symptoms as well.
Dry Eye Therapy FAQs
What is dry eye?
Dry eye is one of the most common eye conditions. It generally occurs when your tear film, the thin layer that covers the surface of your eye, is unstable. Your tear film is made up of mucus, water, and oil, and if it lacks any of these components you may notice dry eye symptoms.
What are the symptoms of dry eye?
Common symptoms include irritation, redness, wateriness, blurry vision, and burning. Symptoms can show up at the moments you rely on your vision most, like at work, on screens, or with family.
What causes dry eye?
Dry eye can develop for many reasons, including age, long hours on digital devices, and environmental factors. Some people have a higher risk because of certain health conditions or medications. Our optometrists can work with you to find the cause of your symptoms.
What is meibomian gland dysfunction?
Your meibomian glands sit along your eyelids beside your eyelash follicles and release the oils that help stabilize your tear film. When these glands become blocked or inflamed, your tears can evaporate too quickly. Meibomian gland dysfunction is one of the most common causes of evaporative dry eye.
Is blepharitis the same as dry eye?
No, but they are closely related and can happen together. Blepharitis makes your eyelids red, swollen, irritated, and itchy, and it can cause crusty, dandruff-like flakes on your eyelashes. It can also affect your meibomian glands and your eye comfort, so we look at your eyelids as part of a dry eye assessment.
How is dry eye diagnosed?
We start with a comprehensive eye exam. During your exam we look at your tear film stability and the structures that support your eye comfort, and we discuss your main concerns and lifestyle so we can build a treatment plan around your situation.
What dry eye treatments do you offer in Calgary?
Treatment is personalized, and depending on your needs we may recommend prescription or over-the-counter eye drops, a Bruder mask to help melt blockages in the meibomian glands, lid scrubs, BIHOCL for daily lid hygiene, and omega-3 fatty acids. Many of these products are available through our online store.
Can I use any over-the-counter eye drops for dry eye?
We recommend speaking to our team before you use over-the-counter eye drops. Many can help with symptoms, but some products might not suit your eyes, and we can guide you to the right option.
Can contact lenses cause dry eye?
Contact lens discomfort is often linked to dry eye, and many people notice their lenses feel fine in the morning but irritating by the afternoon. If your contacts have become uncomfortable, book an exam so we can check your tear film and your lens fit. For some patients, specialty lenses such as scleral lenses or rigid gas-permeable lenses may help with dry eye symptoms. Read more in our posts on what causes dry eyes with contacts and whether your contact lens discomfort is actually dry eye.
How do I book a dry eye consultation at Downtown Vision Care?
You can book an appointment online or call us at 403-262-5012. We are located at #243, 414 3 St S.W. in downtown Calgary and are open Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Book Your Appointment
If you’re struggling with your eye comfort, find out how we can help and book your appointment with the team at Downtown Vision Care today. We’re ready to see you.
Our Brands
Our Location
Our Address
- #243, 414 3 St S.W.
- Calgary, AB T2P 1R2
Contact Information
- Phone: 403-262-5012
- Fax: 403-266-5800
Hours Of Operation
- Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
PARKING AVAILABLE
Parking is available in the Calgary Place Parkade. The entrance is off 4th Ave. SW across from the Keg. There is a height limit of 5’11”. Please register your license plate number with the front desk when you arrive at the office.
Our Blog
Check out our Blog for news updates and eye care tips!
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About Us
Eye Exams
Specialty Eye Care
Brands
- #243, 414 3 St S.W.
- Calgary, AB T2P 1R2
- Phone: 403-262-5012
- Fax: 403-266-5800
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