If your eyes often feel dry, gritty, or tired by the end of the day, you are not alone. Dry eye is a common concern for people in Edmonton, especially during cold winters, windy days, and long hours indoors with heating or screens. At Infinite Eyecare in Mill Woods, we see dry eye in people of all ages, and an eye exam can help find the cause and guide the next steps.
What Is Dry Eye?
Dry eye happens when your eyes do not make enough tears, or when tears evaporate too quickly and do not keep the surface of the eye comfortable. Tears are more than water. They have layers that protect and nourish the eye and help clear it with each blink. When that balance changes, the surface can become irritated and vision can feel blurry at times, especially when reading, driving, or using a computer.
Common Causes in Edmonton
Several everyday factors can contribute to dry eye. In Edmonton, dry indoor air in winter, wind, and air conditioning in summer can all make tears evaporate faster. Age and hormonal changes can reduce tear production. Long periods of screen use can also play a role, because people tend to blink less often when looking at a phone or computer. Contact lens wear, certain medications, health conditions such as diabetes, and eyelid conditions that affect the oil glands can also be part of the picture.
Signs and Symptoms to Watch For
Dry eye does not feel the same for everyone. Common signs include a burning or stinging feeling, a gritty feeling as if something is in the eye, redness, and sore or tired eyes. Some people notice watery eyes, which can happen when the eyes try to make up for dryness with extra tears. Other signs include sensitivity to light, stringy mucus around the eyes, blurry vision that clears when you blink, and discomfort when wearing contact lenses.
Treatment Options That Can Help
Treatment depends on the cause, which is why an exam is a helpful first step. For some people, lubricating eye drops, warm compresses, and careful eyelid cleaning may help with comfort. Changes to daily habits can also matter, such as taking screen breaks, blinking more fully, and using a humidifier in dry rooms. If contact lenses are contributing, a change in lens type or wearing time may be discussed. When symptoms continue, your optometrist may talk about prescription drops or other in-office options based on what the exam shows. Not all drops are the same, so it is worth getting advice before using a product long term.
When to Book an Eye Exam in Mill Woods
Book an eye exam if dryness lasts more than a few days, keeps coming back, or is paired with pain, marked redness, discharge, sensitivity to light, or a change in vision. Those signs should be checked promptly. During a visit, we check the surface of the eye, tear quality, eyelids, and your prescription, and we review your health and medications. Eye exams for children under 19 and seniors are covered by Alberta Health Care. We offer direct billing to most major insurers. You can find us at 4275 23 Ave NW, Mill Woods, Edmonton.
If dry, irritated eyes are affecting your day, call Infinite Eyecare at 780-425-0003 to book an eye exam in Mill Woods, Edmonton.
