It is estimated that 25% of the population of Canada is suffering from dry eye syndrome, and the majority of these Canadians  are women. Having dry eyes may seem harmless at first, but when it starts to disrupt with your vision and quality of life,, it’s important to act  preemptively e and to find an efficient solution.

Dry eye syndrome : what’s that ?

Without you even realizing, your eyes produce tears at a slow and regular pace to keep themselves permanently humid and comfortable. However, the effectiveness of the lubrication varies from person to person, and some might  feel discomfort and unpleasant sensations of dry eyes, while others do not. This sensation manifests in the form of itching, stinging, blurred vision, blinking and the feeling of bruising or of a foreign body, sensitivity to light and occasional  tearing. These signs reveal a lacrimal insufficiency, commonly known as dry eye syndrome, or simply dry eyes.

Causes of dry eye syndrome

This condition is generally caused by a decreased production of tears or an imbalance  between the elements composing them (a mix of water, fatty acids, proteins, electrolytes and antibacterial substances), which can lead to an acceleration of their evaporation.

Apart from these symptoms, a diagnosis can be established by evaluating various  elements.

A diagnosis of dry eyes depends on the case of each individual and can be caused by multiple and varied factors, namely the following: 

• Intrinsic factors : sex, age, allergies, past eye surgeries, hormonal changes, etc.
• Pathology : diabetes, hypo and hyperthyroidism, autoimmune diseases, rosacea, etc.
• Medication : antidepressants, oral contraceptives, antihistamines, etc. 
• Environmental and behavioural factors : smoking, alcohol, extended activities on digital screens, pollution, dust, heating, air conditioning, wearing contact lenses, etc.

Treatments for dry eyes

Pharmacists have suggested  different solutions to soothe symptoms of dry eye syndrome : these include eye drops, artificial tears, lubricant gels, food supplements, and more. These present short-term treatments that can perfectly work for some. However, in the case of severe dryness, these temporary treatments are not enough.

Rest assured, dry eye syndrome is not irreversible— many solutions exist. To find optimal treatment, it is necessary to call upon a specialist in the health sector specialized in eyes,  such as an optometrist, who can provide a proper diagnosis of your ocular capacities and your lacrimal glands. 

Optometrists at VU are proud to soon offer a revolutionary and innovative technology for eye dryness : Eye-Light®. Thanks to the emission of high power LED light, the Eye-Light technology is a new non invasive treatment, simultaneously treating the lower and upper eyelids with direct and indirect applications. This medical procedure  represents great advantages, as gel applications are no longer required in treatment, thanks to the unique and patented cooling module.

Visit our optometry clinic in Montreal soon to take advantage of this new treatment.