Dry Eye Therapy in Surrey

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Wet Weather Won’t Stop Dry Eye

Wet, west coast weather doesn’t stop dry eye disease. The gritty, burning sensations associated with dry eye can be uncomfortable and terribly disruptive. 

According to a 2019 study, approximately 6 million Canadians suffer from the condition. You aren’t alone, and we can help. But why do you have dry eye disease? It’s a simple question, but the answer is a little more complex.

Book an appointment for a dry eye diagnostic today and find relief.

What Is Dry Eye Disease?

Dry eye disease can happen for a few reasons. Dusty, smoky, or windy environments sure don’t help, but they aren’t always the root cause either. 

When your eyes either don’t produce enough tears or the tears they do produce are poor quality, uncomfortable symptoms are the result

Aqueous deficiency is caused by reduced tear production. Only about 10% of people with dry eye disease suffer from this type.

The majority of dry eye disease results from evaporative dry eye. In these cases, the eye’s tear film is out of balance.

The Tear Film

When dry eye disease occurs, the tear film is most often the culprit. 

Our tears are made up of 3 layers: a water layer, a mucus layer, and an oil layer. Water keeps the eyes hydrated, mucus keeps the moisture spread over the eye’s surface, and oil ensures the water doesn’t evaporate too quickly.

Imbalances in the layers mean tears are not doing their job effectively to keep your eyes moist and comfortable. 

Evaporative dry eye can also be a result of blocked meibomian glands. These tiny glands line your upper and lower eyelids and produce the oil layer of your tears. If they become clogged, your tears might not get enough oil.

When Should You See Your Optometrist?

Whenever your eyes become uncomfortable, you should see an optometrist. While dry eye in itself is not dangerous, if left untreated, it can cause more serious problems. Corneal abrasions, inflammation, and ulcers might develop due to untreated dry eye. 

Contact lens wearers are more likely to have meibomian gland issues. That’s why we recommend that people who wear lenses get an annual, comprehensive eye exam. 

If you have any of the following symptoms of dry eye, your optometrist can help.

  • Redness
  • Difficulty wearing your contacts
  • Watery eyes
  • Eye fatigue
  • Blurry vision
  • Foreign body sensation
  • Stringy mucus

Find Relief Today

Book an appointment at West Coast Optical to discuss your dry eye symptoms today.

Come See Us

Find us right on the Fraser Highway near the Langley/Surrey border, one block from Willowbrook Shopping Centre in Langley!

Our Address

  • 102B 19475 Fraser Hwy
  • Surrey, BC V3S 6K7

Contact Information

Our Hours

  • Monday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
  • Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
  • Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
  • Thursday: 9:30 PM – 8:00 PM
  • Friday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
  • Saturday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Sunday: Closed
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Our Blog

What Is Included in a Routine Eye Exam?

Eye Exams

Many people often neglect to go to the optometrist for a routine eye exam until eye conditions develop. Eye exams are one way you can keep your eyes healthy. But what can you expect during a routine eye exam? During an eye exam, your eye doctor can perform a series of tests to check how […]

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August 21, 2023
West Coast Optical

How Long Does Eye Strain Last? Monitoring Your Screen Time

Digital Eye Strain

Every day, we are surrounded by screens. Smartphones, televisions, computers, tablets, and gaming devices are present—and often so is digital eye strain. With many Canadians spending 2 hours per day or more on digital devices, uncomfortable and irritating eye strain symptoms are becoming more prevalent.  While technology isn’t the only cause of eye strain, it […]

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July 14, 2023
West Coast Optical

How Do Contact Lenses Work?

Contact Lenses

A popular alternative to eyeglasses, contact lenses offer a convenient and comfortable solution for vision correction, made possible through contact lens exams and fittings. By redirecting light to focus correctly on the retina, contact lenses can offer clear vision without the necessity of frames, creating a smooth visual experience. What Contact Lenses Do Contact lenses […]

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June 28, 2023
West Coast Optical
An optometrist conducting an eye exam on her patient using a phoropter.

Many people often neglect to go to the optometrist for a routine eye exam until eye conditions develop. Eye exams are one way you can keep your eyes healthy. But what can you expect during a routine eye exam? During an eye exam, your eye doctor can perform a series of tests to check how […]

Read More…

A professional-looking young man rubbed both of his eyes after a long exposure to his laptop screen.

Every day, we are surrounded by screens. Smartphones, televisions, computers, tablets, and gaming devices are present—and often so is digital eye strain. With many Canadians spending 2 hours per day or more on digital devices, uncomfortable and irritating eye strain symptoms are becoming more prevalent.  While technology isn’t the only cause of eye strain, it […]

Read More…

A woman putting a contact lens on her right eye using her right hand with her left hand holding her eyelid.

A popular alternative to eyeglasses, contact lenses offer a convenient and comfortable solution for vision correction, made possible through contact lens exams and fittings. By redirecting light to focus correctly on the retina, contact lenses can offer clear vision without the necessity of frames, creating a smooth visual experience. What Contact Lenses Do Contact lenses […]

Read More…

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