Dry eye occurs when your eye doesn’t produce adequate tears, or when the quality of the teras can’t keep the surface of your eye adequately lubricated. It frequently occurs together with other health conditions, but some other causes could include:
- Environmental triggers (e.g. weather or pollution)
- Certain medications (e.g. antihistamines or birth control pills)
- Contact lens use
- Frequent computer use
Comprehensive Dry Eye Care and Treatment At our Calgary Eye Clinic
At our Calgary eye clinic in Market Mall, our highly qualified and trained optometrists offer comprehensive dry eye care and treatment services to help relieve any uncomfortable symptoms of dry eye and restore the clarity of your vision and quality of your life.
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Why It’s Important To Seek Dry Eye Care and Treatment From Your Calgary Optometrist
If you’re like most people, you may not take dry eyes seriously, but that could be a huge mistake. If left untreated, dry eye syndrome can lead to bouts of blurry vision and discomfort. It can even interfere with your daily activities, such as using the computer or watching TV.
In addition to this, untreated dry eyes can also damage your cornea, and in severe cases, this can lead to permanent vision loss and even blindness.
The good news? These problems can usually be averted by getting immediate dry eye care and treatment from your optometrist.
3 MAIN TREATMENTS FOR DRY EYES
2 Cornea Conditions That Can Result From Dry Eyes
If you do suffer from dry eyes, it’s important to seek treatment right away. Here are two cornea conditions that could result (or worsen) due to ignoring eye dryness:
Corneal Ulcer
A corneal ulcer is an open sore on your cornea. It can result from an eye infection or inflammation - and the risk of these two conditions is increased in people who have insufficient tear production.
Some symptoms of a corneal ulcer include:
- Severe pain or soreness
- Eye redness
- Gritty feeling in the eye
- Blurry vision
- Excessive tearing
- Sensitivity to light
- Pus or other discharge
- White spot on your cornea
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, it’s important to contact your Calgary optometrist right away. Without prompt treatment, a corneal ulcer can lead to scarring and even vision loss. Depending on causative organism, your optometrist can treat this with:
- Antibiotics
- Antifungal eye drops
- Antiviral eye drops
In addition, steroid or anti-inflammatory eye drops can help prevent scarring and oral pain medication can help relieve any pain.
Corneal Abrasion
A corneal abrasion is an injury to the outermost layer of cells on your corneal surface. Dry eyes can make these cells more vulnerable to trauma, which can result from vigorous rubbing of your eyes, a foreign object in the eye, or dust and debris.
Some symptoms of a corneal abrasion that you should watch out for include:
- Headaches
- Blurry vision
- Light sensitivity
- Eye pain, which may worsen when you open or close your eyes
- Excessive watering
- Red eyes
If you think you have a corneal abrasion, speak to your optometrist right away. Depending on the situation, they may prescribe steroid or antibiotic eye drops, or a pain reliever. Your eye might also be patched to make you more comfortable as your abrasion heals.
Comprehensive Dry Eye Care and Treatment in Calgary
If you are suffering from the uncomfortable symptoms of dry eyes, our Calgary optometrists can help! We can diagnose and help manage this condition to protect your ocular health and vision.
To find out more, visit us today at 3625 Shaganappi Trail NW, Calgary, Alberta T3A 0E2.
Alternatively, you can contact us at 403-286-4884 or fill in our online contact form.
