Dry eyes can be uncomfortable, painful, and irritating. If dry eyes are left untreated, they can lead to serious long-term consequences, like tissue damage and corneal scarring.
Since dry eyes are so common in Alberta—experienced by nearly 90% of Albertans—we provide comprehensive dry eye diagnosis and therapies at Legacy Eye Care.
You may not think too much about your tears, but they’re essential for maintaining the health and comfort of your eyes. Tears make up the tear film, which lubricates the eyes’ surface, washes away dirt and debris, protects the eyes from infection, and helps focus the light that lets you see.
The tear film is made of 3 distinct layers:
Dry eye symptoms develop if these layers are out of balance, if you don’t produce enough tears, or if your tears evaporate too quickly.
There are, however, many different external causes. The environment, like our dry Alberta climate, hormones, age, medications, eye strain, or underlying health conditions like diabetes or Sjögren’s syndrome, can all lead to dry eyes.
The meibomian glands produce meibum, which makes up the oily layer of the tear film.
Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) occurs when the amount or quality of this oil changes, or the glands themselves become obstructed, reducing the oil in the tear film.
This obstruction of the oil glands can also lead to blepharitis, an inflammation of the eyelids that causes irritation and redness around the eyes.
MGD, blepharitis, and dry eyes are intricately linked, and it’s entirely possible to simultaneously have all of these conditions. In fact, it’s not altogether clear which condition causes the other: dry eyes may cause inflammation that irritates the meibomian glands or blepharitis may cause dry eyes.
MGD and blepharitis are difficult to diagnose and treat, but our eye care professionals are well-versed and experienced in managing the various causes of dry eyes.
Every case of dry eyes is different. Whether caused by MGD, blepharitis, age, or hormones, each form of dry eyes requires therapies specifically designed to treat it.
We offer comprehensive treatment plans that provide relief and comfort for dry eyes, including Thealoz Duo eye drops for chronic sufferers to Hyabak eye drops for mild sufferers.
If you’re one of the 90% of Albertans who suffer from the painful symptoms of dry eyes, please call us today and start feeling better soon!
You don’t have to make the drive to Edmonton to find fashionable frames at an affordable price. We carry unique brands you won’t find anywhere else in Stony Plain, from Etnia Barcelona and Nikon to Kate Spade and Oakley, we have frames that suit any style!
You can find our beautiful new clinic behind the Best Western, just off 43rd Avenue in Atim Creek Centre.
We direct bill to all major insurance providers, including Blue Cross, Manulife, Great West Life, Sun Life Financial, Alberta Works, Dejardins, and so many more!
Legacy Eye Care
