Toronto Centre Eye Care Offers Dry Eye Relief

What Is Dry Eye?

Your eyes are made of delicate mucous membranes. To work properly, these membranes must be cleaned, lubricated, and kept moist at all times. Your tears are designed to meet all of these needs. When your eyes are not properly hydrated, they become irritated, sore, and red. If this becomes a chronic condition, we call it dry eye or dry eye disease.

Dry eye usually occurs for one of two reasons.

Insufficient Tear Volume

Your body manufactures tears to keep your eyes clean and lubricated. Sometimes, your body simply does not make enough tears, or cannot make them fast enough to keep up with demand. This causes the eyes to become dry and irritated.

Poor Tear Quality

Tears are mostly made of water and an oil called meibum. Meibum creates a film on your tears which prevents them from evaporating. If your tears do not contain the right amount of meibum, the tears will evaporate immediately from the surface of the eye, leaving it dry and irritated.

Symptoms of Dry Eye

• Dry eyes
• Foreign body sensation in the eye
• Short periods of excessive tearing
• Burning or itching
• Redness
• Sensitivity to light
• Stringy discharge
• Excessive glare or halos around lights
• Discomfort during contact lens wear

Long-Term Effects of Dry Eye

Although they are irritating, for the most part, dry eye symptoms seem harmless. Without treatment, however, dry eye can lead to more serious issues such as corneal ulcers, scars, perforation, and thinning.

Live more comfortably and protect your eyes. Request an appointment for a dry eye consultation today.