Advanced Dry Eye Treatment | Orchard Park

Relief for Uncomfortable, Dry Eyes

If your eyes feel dry and uncomfortable and you find yourself blinking more than usual to get your vision clear and crisp, you might have dry eyes.

We live in a hot, dry climate here in the Okanagan, and while it’s fantastic for fun in the sun, our eyes might be feeling the heat. Here at Orchard Park Optometry, our doctors have invested in state-of-the-art technology to diagnose your dry eyes.

The key to treatment is finding the cause, which can sometimes be multifaceted. Some patients may find relief from the regular use of quality, preservative-free artificial tears, while others may require additional treatment approaches to tackle the problem.

While dry eye on its own is not usually serious, it certainly is uncomfortable. And, if left untreated, it can become harmful, causing tissue damage and scarring the cornea. Dry eyes may also reduce your quality of life.

Any time your eyes are uncomfortable or dry, you should book an appointment. We’ll help you find relief!

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Symptoms of Dry Eye

The symptoms of dry eye are varied and often unexpected. For example, excessively watery eyes can be a symptom of dry eye.

Here are some common dry eye symptoms:

Stinging sensation
Gritty feeling
Foreign body sensation
Redness in the eyes
Watery eyes
Blurry vision
Sensitivity to light
Tired eyes
Stringy mucus in or around your eyes

Any time your eyes are uncomfortable, it’s important to book an appointment to rule out a more serious condition.

What Is Dry Eye?

Dry eye occurs when there are not enough tears to lubricate the eyes and keep them comfortable. Environmental factors like smoke in the air or an arid climate can exacerbate the condition or lead to an acute instance of dry eye. But there are 2 main underlying causes—not enough tears and poor-quality tears.

Not Enough Tears

Sometimes, the eyes simply do not produce enough tears. Reasons for decreased production might include:

The aging process
Certain medications like antihistamines
Medical conditions like lupus or Sjögren’s Syndrome
Recent laser eye surgery

Poor-Quality Tears

High-quality tears rely on an effective tear film with 3 balanced layers. The first layer is made up of mucus. It ensures that moisture is spread evenly over the eye. The second layer, the water layer, hydrates the eye. And, the third layer, an oil layer, keeps the water from evaporating too quickly.

If any of the 3 layers are out of balance, you might experience dry eye symptoms.

Our Methods

At Orchard Park Optometry, we’re dedicated to advanced diagnostics and treatment of dry eye disease. Our optometrists have a variety of tools to keep your eyes comfortable.

Digital Tear Layer Assessment

We use special optometric technology to measure the tear layer noninvasively. Using advanced instruments, we can monitor tear break-up time and tear volume. This information helps us create an adequate plan to manage your dry eye symptoms.

I-MED Pharma Products

Orchard Park Optometry stocks a variety of I-MED Pharma products specially manufactured to treat and manage dry eyes. If you need eye drops, warming masks, punctal plugs, or lid and lash cleaners, we have your solutions in-store.