Professional Dry Eye Treatment in Red Deer and Sylvan Lake
Dry eye disease (DED) is a chronic disease that can be treated but not reversed. The first step in treating dry eye is determining the root reason. A treatment plan can then be developed. There are several dry eye treatment options available; the optometrists at Doctors EyeCare will lead you through the best treatment for your specific situation. Artificial tears or prescribed eye drops, hot compresses, eyelid hygiene, and punctal plugs are common treatments.
Doctors EyeCare is happy to be one of Canada's first clinics to employ the revolutionary Eye-Light® technology for dry eye treatment. Eye-Light® is a combination of intense pulsed light (IPL) and low-level light therapy (LLLT) that treats the meibomian glands in the upper and lower lids to maintain and grow the lipid tear layer while decreasing tear evaporation.
Please call us to visit our office for more information about dry eye treatment.
Symptoms of Dry Eyes
If you experience signs of dry eye disease, our optometrist will go through your medical history with you. We will proceed with therapy when we have determined the cause of your dry eye illness. Symptoms include:
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Your eyes hurt, burn, or feel sandy/gritty as if something is stuck in them
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You have stringy mucus in your eyes
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Your eyes are frequently red or weary
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Your eyes are abnormally wet
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While using the computer or reading, your eyesight occasionally blurs
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Contact lenses can't be worn comfortably
Risk Factors for Dry Eyes
Dry eye condition becomes increasingly common as we age. Other factors that increase the risk of dry eyes include:
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Prolonged usage of computers, mobile phones, or video games
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Usage of contact lenses
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Menopause
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Smoking
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Antihistamines
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Sleeping medicines
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Birth control
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Antidepressants
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Diabetes, thyroid issues, and auto-immune illnesses such as arthritis and lupus
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Eyelid abnormalities that impair blinking
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Eye surgery such as LASIK, PRK, and cataract surgery