Find Help for Dry Eyes
Living with dry eyes can be uncomfortable. If left untreated, dry eye disease can lead to more serious complications, including eye infections, damage to the eye’s surface, and vision loss.
Whether your dry eye symptoms are mild or more severe, eyeDOCS can help. Combat your dry eyes before a small irritation turns into a larger problem that could affect your eye health.
That Gritty, Stinging Feeling
Dry eye is a condition that affects around 30% of Canadians, and nearly 50% of contact lens wearers develop lens-related dry eye at some point. The most common cause for someone to discontinue contact lens wear is due to dry eye discomfort.Anyone can experience dry eye symptoms, whether or not you use contact lenses. Some environmental, health, and lifestyle factors can exacerbate dry eye problems.
Dry eyes can feel like one or more of these symptoms:
- Burning sensation
- Scratchy feeling
- Eye pain
- Redness
- Excessive tears
Rejuvenate Your Tears
eyeDOCS has many treatment options available to help you find relief from acute and chronic dry eye symptoms.
The first step is to book an assessment, so we can determine the cause of your dry eyes and discuss any lifestyle factors that could be leading to your symptoms.
There are 2 types of dry eyes: aqueous tear deficiency (caused by low-quality tears) and evaporative dry eye (caused by a lack of tears). The 3 layers of your tears—oil, water, and mucus—need to be perfectly balanced to provide hydration to the surface of your eyes.
Once we have determined the type and cause of your dry eyes, we can offer treatment options.
Medications
Eye drops, ointments, and oral medications (like pills) can all be prescribed to help your body produce more high-quality tears. These may be prescribed for short-term or long-term use, depending on your unique needs.
Lid Therapy
Our optometrists are skilled at performing several different types of eyelid therapy to promote healthy tears in your eyes. Types of lid therapies include lid hygiene, heated gland expression, and the use of lubricants and supplements.
BlephEx
BlephEx is a type of lid therapy that uses gentle pulsation and a special tool to cleanse the surface of the eyelids, promoting eye hygiene. BlephEx is used to help treat blepharitis, a chronic condition that can cause dry eyes.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
Intense pulsed light (IPL) is an effective dry eye treatment for symptoms caused by meibomian gland dysfunction. Using a handheld device, broad-spectrum pulsed light is applied around the eye and converted to heat, which helps melt the thick oil clogging the meibomian glands. Once unclogged, oil can once again cover the surface of your eye to prevent your tears from evaporating too quickly.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fats that your body can’t produce itself. Instead, you must get an adequate amount from outside sources. Adding more of this essential fat to your diet can be as simple as taking supplements or eating foods rich in Omega-3s, like fish, nuts, and leafy green vegetables.
Dry Eye Help Is Here
Get started on the road to hydrated, comfortable vision all day long by coming into eyeDOCS for a dry eye therapy and assessment. Book your assessment today.
Find A Location In Ottawa
eyeDOCS Barrhaven
Just off the Fallowfield Road exit of Highway 416, we provide eye care for all patients in this area. Services are available in English and French.
- 4100 Strandherd Dr
- Ottawa, ON K2J 0V2
Barrhaven’s Hours
- Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM
- Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
Saturdays are open on alternate weeks. Please call or check Google Business profile to verify.
eyeDOCS Kanata
Find us across from the Kanata Research Park and down the street from the Richcraft Recreation Centre. Services are available in English and Spanish.
- 700 March Rd
- Ottawa, ON K2K 2V9
Kanata’s Hours
- Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
Saturdays are open on alternate weeks. Please call or check Google Business profile to verify.
eyeDOCS Riverside South
In the heart of Riverside South conveniently serving: Manotick, Greely, and Barrhaven. We are happy to treat the surrounding communities for all their optical needs in English or French.
- 4452 Limebank Rd
- Ottawa, ON K1V 2N8
Riverside South’s Hours
- Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
Saturdays are open on alternate weeks. Please call or check Google Business profile to verify.
eyeDOCS Ottawa
Our flagship office is located in Alta Vista near Billings Bridge Shopping Centre. Services are available in English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese.
- 1285 Kilborn Ave
- Ottawa, ON K1H 6K9
Ottawa’s Hours
- Monday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Thursday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
eyeDOCS Westboro
Find us in the heart of the Westboro Village on Richmond Road near the corner of Eden Avenue. We provide services in English, French, Cantonese, and Spanish.
- 298 Richmond Road
- Ottawa, ON K1Z 6X5
Westboro’s Hours
- Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Sunday: Closed
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How Long Does IPL Dry Eye Treatment Last?
For about 30% of Canadians, dry eyes are a near-constant irritation. They can happen because the eyes don’t create enough tears or because an imbalance in the tear film causes tears to evaporate too quickly. Whatever the reason, if you’re the one dealing with dry eyes, you probably just want relief. Fortunately, there are options […]
Do Dry Eyes Cause Styes?
Do Dry Eyes Cause Styes? Dealing with uncomfortable dry eye symptoms is annoying enough, let alone wondering if the condition is causing other problems. For example, because they can happen at the same time you’re experiencing dry eyes, some people may wonder if styes are caused by dry eye disease. The short answer is no, […]
Do Blue Light Glasses Help with Dry Eyes?
Blue light glasses or blue light-blocking lenses can sound high-tech and cool. So much so that the sale of blue light glasses has risen since 2020, mainly due to increased time spent staring at digital screens. In theory, blue light glasses help to reduce eyestrain and symptoms of eyestrain, including dry eyes. Even without much […]