Whitby Family Eye Care, Dr.Leslie Fitzgerald & Associates
25 Thickson Rd Whitby ON L1N 8W8 (905) 728-7017
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844-292-1216

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Whitby, ON
(905) 728-7017

Dry Eye Treatment in Whitby

WHAT IS DRY EYE?

Dry eye symptoms are not just uncomfortable; they can actually cause long term damage if your eyes don’t receive proper treatment. Almost one-third of all Canadians currently suffer from dry eye. Luckily, there are numerous dry eye treatment options available if you are experiencing the condition. At Whitby Family Eye Care we not only treat the symptoms of your dry eye, but we also get the source of the problem so that we can offer you a customized solution to meet your dry eye needs.

Dry eye syndrome is a serious issue which develops for one of two reasons: insufficient tear volume or poor tear quality.

Tear Volume

Tears provide your eyes with protection, lubrication, and hydration, while also keeping them clean and free of dust and debris. Your eyes need a certain volume of tears to work properly and comfortably. If your tear glands don’t produce enough tears, your eyes will start to feel dry and irritated.

Our tears are made up of three components: water, an oily substance called meibum, and mucin. Meibum, which is produced by the meibomian glands in the eyelids, makes a film on the surface of your tears to keep them from evaporating too quickly, and mucin helps spread our tears evenly across the surface of the eye. If your tears don’t contain enough mucin or meibum, they can’t keep your eyes adequately lubricated, leading to dry eye. Most cases of dry eyes are due to poor tear quality.

Dry eyes can also be caused or exacerbated by a variety of external factors including:

  • Dry environments
  • Prolonged use of digital screens
  • Dehydration
  • Certain medications including antihistamines, antidepressants, and birth control pills
  • Ageing and hormonal changes
  • Select systemic diseases

SYMPTOMS OF DRY EYE

There are a wide variety of symptoms that may indicate that you are suffering from dry eye. These include:

  • Redness
  • Itching and irritation
  • Burning or stinging
  • Feeling that something is in your eye
  • Difficulty opening your eyes in the morning
  • Eye fatigue or heavy eyelids
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Blurry vision
  • Periods of excess tears
  • Stringy discharge
  • Watery eyes

Though it may seem strange, watery eyes can actually be a symptom of dry eye. If poor quality tears are the cause of your dry eye, your eyes may try to compensate by producing excess tears, causing your eyes to water.

If these symptoms sound familiar, request an appointment with us in Whitby today.

DIAGNOSING AND TREATING DRY EYE

Dry eye may seem like an innocuous problem, but chronic dry eye is a progressive condition that will get worse over time if left untreated. At Whitby Family Eye Care, we aren’t satisfied with just treating your symptoms; we want to address the underlying problem to help you find long-term relief.

Once we understand the underlying cause of your symptoms, we can craft a tailored treatment plan that meets your eye relief needs. Though ordinary, over the counter eye drops can offer temporary relief medicated eye drops, such as Restasis and Xiidra, can help your eyes produce better quality tears naturally. Depending on the cause of your dry eye your optometrist may prescribe medicated eye drops for your dry eye.

Professional treatment products such as Thealoz Duo eye drops, Hyabak eye drops, Bruder Mask, and Blephaclean (sterilized eye cleansing pads) and in-office treatments, can help manage the underlying causes of your dry eye and are available at Whitby Family Eye Care.

Visit Our Location in Whitby

Whitby Family Eye Care is at the north east corner of Thickson Rd & Hwy 2, in the KFC plaza. Parking is conveniently located right outside the practice.

Our team of optometrists at Whitby Family Eye Care are proud to offer the following eye care services:

  • Eye Exams
  • Eye Issues and Diseases
  • Laser Eye Surgery Consultation
  • Dry Eye Treatment
  • Emergency Eye Care
  • Myopia Control
  • Contact us today by booking an appointment online or giving us a call, and we will be happy to assist you.

    Address

    25 Thickson Rd North
    Whitby, ON, L1N 8W8

    Contact Information

    Phone: (905) 728-7017
    Fax: (905) 728-0865

    Hours

    If you have an emergency, please visit your nearest emergency department or health care physician.

    Monday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    Tuesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    Thursday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
    Friday: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
    Saturday: By Appointment Only
    Sunday: Closed
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