Dry Eye Therapy

Providing Relief for Sore, Uncomfortable Dry Eyes

Dry eye syndrome can come in several forms, each with several underlying causes and symptoms that vary from patient to patient. Treatment depends on the type of dry eye.

If you have dry eyes, please book a comprehensive eye exam.

Dry Eye Quiz

The Effects of Dry Eyes on the Cornea

Your cornea is a clear tissue responsible for directing light onto your retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye. The cornea needs hydration to keep it healthy and to avoid drying out, clouding, or changing shape (like in extreme cases of dry eyes). It absorbs oxygen from the water in your tears and is nourished by the tear film.

When your cornea lacks hydration, you may experience uncomfortable symptoms like redness or irritation.

Your Tear Film

The tear film preserves the transparency, texture, and oxygen levels of the cornea. It also protections the surface of your eye and washes out irritants, maintaining your ocular health and overall comfort.

The tear film is made of 3 different layers:

Mucin layer: This layer acts as a base, adhering the tears to the surface of the eye. Epithelial cells in the conjunctiva and the fringes of the cornea produce mucous for this layer.
Aqueous layer: This watery layer provides the moisture and oxygen that keep your eyes healthy. It’s produced by the lacrimal glands.
Lipid layer: This oily layer is produced by the meibomian glands and prevents the tear film from evaporating.

What Causes Dry Eyes?

Dry eyes occur either because tears evaporate too quickly or the layers of the tear film are unbalanced, affecting their quality.

When the tear film becomes imbalanced, the corneal surface can distort or cloud. Your eyes may become red or irritated, and often require more than just over-the-counter eye drops for relief.
There are 2 main types of dry eyes.

Evaporative Dry Eyes

Evaporative dry eye affects patients when their tears evaporate too quickly. It’s usually caused by a blockage in the oil glands, impacting the lipid layer.

Your eyes may feel sore and red with evaporative dry eyes. A trained optometrist can accurately diagnose this type of dry eye and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.

Aqueous Tear-Deficient Dry Eyes

Aqueous tear-deficient dry eyes occur when the lacrimal glands don’t produce enough tears. These dry eyes may be caused by:

Eye Nutrition

Your optometrist can recommend dietary changes to help improve your tear film. Omega-3 fatty acids found in various foods or dietary supplements can help your lipid layer. Your tear film balance can also be improved by vitamins A and E, zinc, lutein, and zeaxanthin.

Ask us today about eye-friendly nutrients!

Dry Eye Management

Our optometrists can help you manage dry eyes and provide you with long-term relief. For moderate cases of dry eye, over-the-counter or prescription eye drops are effective. However, we can provide more advanced remedies if you experience more severe dry eyes.

Call us today to book an appointment to find comfort and get your eyes feeling healthy again.

Book Appointment

Our Location

Centre Wellington, Ontario

We’re eager to see all of our patients, but please confirm an appointment before visiting. Booking ahead is the safest measure for ensuring a qualified staff member is available to help you from start to finish.

You can find us on Beatty Line in beautiful historic Fergus, Ontario.

Our Address

6420 Beatty Line North Suite 102
Fergus, ON N1M 2W3

Contact Information

Phone: 226-383-8880
Fax: 226-486-2465
Email: [email protected]

Hours Of Operation

Monday

9 AM – 4 PM

Tuesday

9 AM – 5 PM

Wednesday

9 AM – 4 PM

Thursday

9 AM – 6 PM

Friday

9 AM – 1 PM

Saturday

Closed

Sunday

Closed

What Are Our Patients Saying?

Dr. Elder is so friendly and knowledgeable, she was quick to get me in when I had an issue with a growth in my eye and is always takes the time to get to know me so she can give the best solutions for eye care or eye wear. Highly recommend this office to anyone looking to go to a better eye doctor!

She is exceptional! Kind, personable, smart, efficient. Extremely talented doctor – actually look forward to seeing her! Also great with kids.

Dr. Elder has been great at helping me with my ocular health. She is very personable while having a high degree of professionalism. I am very comfortable around her and will be continuing to see her for all of my eye health needs!