Dry Eye Therapy | Ajax | The Optical Connection

Dry Eye Relief is Only a Click Away

Most of us will experience dry eyes at some point in our lives. Whether it’s from staring at a computer for too long or because we’re in a new environment, dry eye is an uncomfortable eye condition that can be temporary or chronic.

Dry eye can be caused by several factors and can become harmful if left untreated. Fortunately, we can help you find relief from your dry eye.

If you think you may be suffering from dry eye, book an appointment to see how our therapies can help you!

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What is Dry Eye Syndrome?

Dry eye syndrome is defined as a lack of lubrication and moisture on the eye’s surface. This is usually due to an issue with the tears.

Our tears are made up of 3 components, and all 3 are equally needed to keep your eyes healthy and comfortable.

These 3 components of tears are:

An oily layer produced by the meibomian glands
A watery (aqueous) layer produced by the lacrimal glands
A mucous layer produced in the conjunctiva of the eye

Each component of the tear film serves an important purpose, and a lack of any of these components can lead to one of two types of dry eye:

Evaporative Dry Eye

Evaporative dry eye is the most common form of dry eye and occurs when there is a lack of the lipid or mucous component in your tears. Without these, your tears evaporate too quickly, which causes your eyes to dry out.

Aqueous Tear Deficiency

Aqueous deficient dry eye is the less common form of dry eye and occurs when there isn’t enough of the aqueous layer in the tear film. When this happens, your eye can’t produce enough tears to keep your eyes moist.

Causes & Symptoms of Dry Eye

Causes

A variety of factors can cause dry eyes. Some of the many potential causes of dry eyes include:

Prolonged computer use
Poorly fitted contact lenses
Aging
Certain medications such as antihistamines
Dry or windy environments
Smoking
Health conditions such as Sjögren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and meibomian gland dysfunction
Eye surgeries
Allergies