Dry Eye Management in South Calgary

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Helping You Find Relief from Dry Eyes

Dry eye disease is a progressive, debilitating condition that can cause significant discomfort and difficulty in performing daily activities. Typically, your eyes produce an adequate amount of good quality tears that keep your eyes lubricated. When your eyes are not making enough tears or the tears they make are low quality, dry eye disease symptoms can occur. 

Many different factors, both internal and external, can exacerbate the symptoms of dry eye. Knowing what they are can help you avoid discomfort and seek treatment when necessary.

Visit the optometrists at our dry eye clinic in Calgary to find relief today.

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The Role of Your Tears

Your tears keep your eyes free from bacteria so they can stay comfortable and free from irritants. They are essential to help you see clearly and can help you communicate your emotions.

The lacrimal glands above each eye produce your tears, and they drain into the puncta, holes in the corners of your upper and lower eyelids. The tears then travel through small canals and empty into your nose, where they evaporate or are reabsorbed.

The tear film is the layer of tears that cover the eyes’ surface and keep them lubricated. The tear film is made up of 3 layers:

  • The oily, outermost layer that prevents the tears from evaporating.
  • The watery, middle layer that keeps the eye hydrated and repels bacteria.
  • The innermost mucus layer that keeps the tear fastened to the eye.

What Causes Dry Eye Disease?

Often, dry eyes are caused by a lack of high-quality tears. However, many different factors can exacerbate symptoms, some of which you may be able to control.

Some common causes of dry eye include:

  • Changes in hormones due to ageing
  • Hormone replacement therapy
  • Exposure to windy or very dry climates
  • Prolonged exposure to artificial warm or cold air
  • Allergies
  • Laser eye surgery
  • Medications, like antihistamines or antidepressants
  • Long-term contact lens wear
  • Digital eye strain
  • Not blinking enough

Treating Dry Eye Disease

At Calgary Family Eye Doctors, we offer a comprehensive approach to dry eye management that is tailored to your specific needs. We are committed to offering quality products that are both effective and gentle on the eyes. Our dry eye management options aim to restore tear film health by addressing both aqueous and lipid deficiencies that contribute to discomfort. To support our comprehensive approach, we have introduced two advanced technologies: ZEST and BlephEx.

If you are experiencing any symptoms of dry eye disease, give us a call for a comprehensive eye exam as soon as possible. We can assess your eyes to determine what is causing your discomfort and recommend an appropriate treatment to alleviate symptoms and give you relief.

If you have any questions, we encourage you to give us a call so we can answer them to the best of our abilities. You can also shop our dry eye management products here

Our Physician Recommended Nutriceuticals (PRN) come in liquid form and pills and provide a therapeutic dose of EPA and DHA fatty acids in an ultra-purified re-esterified triglyceride (rTG) form that is easier for the body to absorb. Omegas play a critical role in reducing ocular inflammation and improving tear film quality.

Achieving the same daily benefits through diet would mean consuming approximately 37 cans of tuna a week!

We have carefully selected a wide range of eye drops which offer sodium hyaluronate and are also preservative and phosphate-free.

Preservatives can damage the cells of the eye surface, destroy the natural tear film and be the cause of intolerance reactions.

Phosphate buffers can form insoluble crystals due to a reaction with calcium (which is released from damaged cells of the eye surface). These crystals can impair vision.

Maintaining proper eyelid hygiene is essential in managing dry eyes, particularly if you have blepharitis or other lid-related issues. Inadequate eyelid care can exacerbate discomfort and lead to more serious issues.

We offer a range of products specifically designed to clean the eyelids, reduce inflammation around lid margins, prevent the buildup of debris and bacteria that can aggravate symptoms, and promote overall eye comfort.

Meibomian gland dysfunction is one of the leading causes of dry eye, as blocked glands can prevent the proper flow of oils that help stabilize the tear film. This imbalance can lead to irritation, redness, and discomfort.

Our heat masks gently warm the eyelids, effectively unclogging the oil glands and enhancing the quality of your tear film. By incorporating these into your routine, you can experience relief from symptoms.

If your dry eye symptoms are linked to buildup along the eyelid margins, ZEST (Zocular Eyelid System Treatment) may be a great option for you. This gentle, in-office treatment uses a gel derived from okra to carefully cleanse the eyelids and remove debris, biofilm, and inflammation-causing buildup that can block your meibomian glands and disrupt your tear film.

The treatment takes just a few minutes and involves no downtime, making it easy to fit into your regular eye care routine. Many patients notice an improvement in their comfort and overall eye health after just one session, though a series of treatments may be recommended depending on your needs.

ZEST pairs well with other dry eye therapies we offer, and our team will let you know during your comprehensive eye exam whether it’s the right fit for your situation.

Your eyelids hold a lot of responsibility when it comes to keeping your eyes feeling hydrated and comfortable. Around the edges of your eyelids are a series of glands, known as meibomian glands, that are responsible for producing the oil that keeps your tear film from evaporating.

When these glands are blocked due to bacteria, biofilm, or bacterial toxins, it can prevent the production of oil your eyes need. If this happens, your optometrist may use BlephEx to help clean the edges of your eyelids. BlephEx is a tool used in-office that rotates a soft brush at speeds capable of cleaning these blockages, allowing your meibomian glands to produce the oil your eyes crave!

Dry Eye Symptoms & When to Seek Care

Dry eye symptoms can range from mild irritation to persistent discomfort that interferes with daily life. Because dry eye disease is often progressive, early attention can make a meaningful difference in long-term eye health and comfort.

You may benefit from a dry eye assessment if you notice:

  • A burning, stinging, or scratchy sensation
  • Red or irritated eyes
  • Fluctuating or blurry vision
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Watery eyes (a response to dryness)
  • Eye fatigue after reading or screen use

Calgary’s dry climate, seasonal changes, and increased screen time can all contribute to ongoing symptoms. If your eyes feel consistently uncomfortable, it’s important not to ignore the signs.

At Calgary Family Eye Doctors, we provide comprehensive dry eye evaluations in Calgary to identify the underlying cause of your symptoms and recommend appropriate management options. Addressing dry eye early can help prevent worsening discomfort and support clearer, more stable vision.

If you’re unsure whether your symptoms are related to dry eye disease, our team is happy to help guide you toward the right next steps.

New Product Launch — Eyes Are The Story™ Mascara & Eyeliner

Now available only in our online store for purchase.

We are proud to offer mascara and eyeliner from Eyes Are The Story™, a line formulated to meet rigorous European Union cosmetic standards. These products exclude over 1,300 chemicals banned under EU regulations to prioritize your safety and comfort. Recent research, such as the TFOS Lifestyle Report, indicates that many common cosmetic ingredients can have toxic effects on the ocular surface and may exacerbate dry eye symptoms. By choosing eye-safe cosmetics, you can help protect your delicate meibomian glands and reduce the risk of irritation or infection.

Visit Us at Calgary Family Eye Doctors

Where is Our Office?

Find us just off Southport Road SW on the west side of Macleod Trail.

Where Can You Park?

There is 2-hour free parking on the south side (first lot) and the west side of the professional building.

Our Address

  • 11th Floor, 1125-10655 Southport Road SW
  • Calgary, AB T2W 4Y1

Contact Information

Hours of Operation

  • Monday: 8:00 AM 6:00 PM
  • Tuesday: 8:00 AM 6:00 PM
  • Wednesday: 8:00 AM 6:00 PM
  • Thursday: 8:00 AM 6:00 PM
  • Friday: 8:00 AM 4:00 PM
  • Saturday: Closed
  • Sunday: Closed

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