Do you find yourself blinking more often or rubbing your eyes throughout the day? Dry eyes affect millions of people every year, causing irritation that can range from mild discomfort to significant pain. You might notice your vision fluctuating throughout the day or feel like you constantly need to use artificial tears just to stay comfortable. Many people wonder if this common condition can cause lasting vision problems, especially when symptoms persist despite using eye drops or affect daily activities like reading, driving, or wearing contact lenses.
It’s extremely unlikely for dry eyes to cause blindness. Most people experience irritation, sensitivity, or blurry vision rather than serious or permanent vision loss. However, in rare and severe cases, especially when left untreated, chronic dryness can damage the cornea, the clear front surface of your eye, and interfere with how clearly you see. The key concern with dry eyes isn’t blindness, but ongoing inflammation and discomfort that can affect your quality of life.
At Southwood Eyecare in Calgary, our focus is on your comfort and long-term eye health. Through detailed assessments and personalized treatment plans, we identify what’s causing your dryness, whether it’s meibomian gland dysfunction, screen fatigue, or environmental factors, and design a solution that keeps your eyes healthy, hydrated, and clear. Our Calgary dry eye treatments emphasize prevention, comfort, and everyday relief so you can see comfortably no matter what your day looks like.
What Happens When Your Eyes Don’t Make Enough Tears
How Your Tear Film Protects Your Vision
Your tears do more than just show emotion, they keep your eyes healthy & comfortable. The tear film covers your eye’s surface with three layers that work together. When this system breaks down, you can develop dry eye symptoms.
Common Signs You Might Notice
- Burning or stinging sensation
- Gritty feeling like sand in your eyes
- Blurred vision that comes & goes
- Eyes that water too much
- Sensitivity to light
- Difficulty wearing contact lenses
When Dry Eyes Become a Serious Problem
Damage That Can Happen Over Time
Severe dry eyes can harm your cornea if left untreated. The cornea needs constant moisture to stay clear & healthy. Without enough tears, small scratches or ulcers can develop on the surface.
How Vision Problems Start
Corneal damage from dry eyes can create permanent scarring. This scarring makes it harder for light to pass through clearly. Your vision becomes cloudy or hazy, especially in severe cases. Understanding meibomian glands is crucial since these oil glands help maintain tear quality and prevent rapid evaporation.
Calgary Dry Eye Treatment Options That Help
Simple Solutions You Can Try First
Artificial tears are often the first step in treating mild dry eyes. You can use preservative-free drops several times per day. A humidifier in your home or office can also add moisture to the air. For additional relief, consider trying home remedies that complement professional treatment.
Professional Treatments From Your Calgary Eye Doctor
At Southwood Eyecare, our dry eye treatments are designed to address the root cause of your symptoms, often related to blocked or underperforming oil glands in the eyelids. These glands play an essential role in keeping your tears stable and preventing them from evaporating too quickly.
Our personalized treatment plans include:
- Eyelid wipes and hygiene products to reduce inflammation and remove debris along the lash line.
- IPL (intense pulsed light) therapy to gently warm and restore function to the meibomian glands.
- Radiofrequency (RF) treatment to improve oil gland performance and promote long-term comfort.
- Manual gland expression to clear blockages and improve natural tear quality.
With the right combination of these in-office and at-home treatments, our team can help restore balance to your tear film and provide lasting relief from dry eye discomfort.
Risk Factors That Make Dry Eyes Worse
Age & Hormone Changes
Your tear production naturally decreases as you get older. Women often notice dry eyes during menopause when hormone levels change. Both men & women over 50 have higher rates of dry eye syndrome.
Environmental & Lifestyle Factors
Calgary’s dry climate can make symptoms worse during the winter months. Long hours of screen time can also reduce your blink rate, leading to fewer tears spreading across your eyes. Certain medications—such as antihistamines or blood pressure drugs—may contribute to dryness as well. Even lifestyle factors like caffeine intake can play a role, as your daily coffee habits may influence your tear quality.
When to See an Optometrist
Your Calgary optometrist can assess your tear quality and production during a comprehensive eye exam using advanced imaging and diagnostic dyes to identify areas of dryness or irritation. These precise tests help determine which dry eye treatments will provide the most effective and lasting relief for your specific needs.
Don’t let dry eyes impact your comfort or quality of life. At Southwood Eyecare, our focus is on personalized, results-driven care that helps you find lasting relief and protect your long-term vision. Contact us today to schedule your eye exam and learn how our dry eye treatments can restore clarity and comfort to your everyday routine.
