Your eyes burn, sting, or feel gritty, so you reach for artificial tears. They help for a little while, but before long, the discomfort returns.
Many people rely on over-the-counter eye drops every day without realizing their symptoms may stem from an underlying medical condition.
Artificial tears can provide temporary relief, but they cannot treat the source of chronic dry eye. A comprehensive eye exam at EverSquare Eye Clinic can identify what's causing your symptoms and determine whether advanced treatment may provide more lasting relief.
When Dry Eye Becomes Chronic
Healthy tears contain three layers that work together to protect the eye. If one of those layers becomes unstable, tears evaporate too quickly, and the surface of the eye dries out.
This is why many people find themselves applying eye drops over and over without lasting improvement.
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction Is a Common Cause
One of the most common causes of chronic dry eye is meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).
The meibomian glands sit inside your eyelids and produce the oil layer of your tears. This oil slows evaporation and keeps your eyes comfortable.
When these glands become blocked or stop functioning properly, tears evaporate faster than they should. The result is ongoing irritation and inflammation.
Dry Eye Symptom Checklist
- You use artificial tears every day.
- Your symptoms return shortly after using eye drops.
- Your eyes burn, sting, or feel gritty.
- Your vision becomes blurry after reading or screen time.
- Your eyes water even though they feel dry.
- Your contact lenses become uncomfortable during the day.
- Your symptoms have lasted several months.
- Dry indoor air or windy weather makes your symptoms worse.
You may benefit from a dry eye evaluation if you answer "yes" to several of these questions.
Treating the Root Cause of Dry Eye
For many patients, lasting relief begins with improving the health of the meibomian glands rather than simply adding moisture to the surface of the eye.
At our dry eye clinic, we offer advanced treatments that target the underlying causes of chronic dry eye and tear evaporation.
Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL)
IPL therapy uses controlled pulses of light around the eyelids to reduce inflammation and target abnormal blood vessels that contribute to dry eye. The treatment also helps improve meibomian gland function by encouraging healthier oil flow, allowing tears to remain stable for longer.
Radiofrequency Treatment (RF)
RF treatment uses gentle radiofrequency heat to warm the tissues around the eyes and soften thickened oils trapped inside the meibomian glands. This helps restore healthier oil flow and prepares the glands for meibomian gland expression.
Meibomian Gland Expression
Following IPL and RF treatment, your eye doctor may perform meibomian gland expression. This in-office procedure gently clears softened blockages from the glands, helping restore the natural oil layer of your tears and improve tear stability.
Find Chronic Dry Eye Treatment in Edmonton, AB
You don't have to accept dry, irritated eyes as part of your daily routine.
At EverSquare Eye Clinic, we help patients move beyond temporary relief. By treating the source of chronic dry eye, we can help improve comfort, support healthier tears, and reduce your dependence on artificial tears.
Book your eye exam today to learn what's causing your symptoms and explore your treatment options.
FAQs
What is meibomian gland dysfunction?
Meibomian gland dysfunction occurs when the oil-producing glands in your eyelids become blocked or stop functioning properly. Without enough oil, tears evaporate too quickly, leading to dry, irritated eyes.
How do IPL therapy and RF treatment help dry eye?
IPL therapy helps reduce inflammation and improve gland function, while RF treatment warms the eyelids to soften blocked oils. Together, these treatments help restore a healthier tear film and reduce tear evaporation.
When should I schedule a dry eye exam?
If you've been relying on artificial tears every day, your symptoms keep returning, or dry eye is affecting your work, reading, driving, or contact lens wear, it's time to schedule a comprehensive eye exam.