Dry, gritty eyes can make a long workday feel even longer. Indoor heating, wind, contact lens wear, screen habits, eyelid inflammation, and blocked oil glands can all affect how your eyes feel.

During comprehensive eye exams at Prairie Eye Care, our team can examine the tear film and ocular surface to learn what may be driving your discomfort. From changes at home to in-office therapies, our dry eye treatment can address specific findings rather than relying on temporary relief alone.

When to Visit Your Eye Doctor

Dry eye can develop when your eyes produce too few tears, tears evaporate too quickly, or the tear film lacks the balance needed to protect the eye's surface.

Common Dry Eye Symptoms 

• Gritty or sandy sensations

• Burning or irritation

• Tired, watery eyes

• Blurry or fluctuating vision

• Light sensitivity

• Contact lens discomfort

Recurring discomfort or changes in vision are worth discussing with your eye doctor.

Climate can also play a role. Wind, dry air, and indoor heating can encourage tear evaporation. Long hours on computers and phones may add to irritation because people tend to blink less frequently while concentrating on screens.

How Does a Dry Eye Assessment Guide Care?

Choosing a dry eye treatment starts with learning what is happening on the surface of your eyes.

At Prairie Eye Care, testing can include tear film analysis plus eyelid and meibomian gland imaging. Your eye doctor may also ask about contact lens wear, screen habits, your environment, and your eye care routine.

The meibomian glands along your eyelids produce oils that slow tear evaporation. When these glands become blocked or function poorly, the tear film may become less stable. Gland problems can also occur alongside eyelid inflammation and recurring styes.

These findings help your eye doctor recommend care suited to your eyes.

Dry Eye Treatment Options at Prairie Eye Care

Dry eye care may combine at-home strategies with in-office therapies. The right combination depends on your symptoms and their causes.

Radiofrequency (RF)

TempSure Envi uses radiofrequency energy to gently warm the eyelids. This warmth can help unclog meibomian glands and improve the flow of oils that slow tear evaporation.

The in-office procedure requires no downtime and is often described as feeling like a warm facial around the eyes. Increased collagen production may also provide a secondary aesthetic benefit by smoothing and firming the skin around the eyes.

Eyelid Treatment

Oil, debris, bacteria, and biofilm can collect along the eyelids and lash line, particularly with conditions such as blepharitis.

Zocular Eyelid System Treatment (ZEST) gently cleanses and exfoliates the area. The process takes a few minutes and promotes cleaner eyelids and a healthier ocular surface.

Meibomian Gland Expression

Blocked meibomian glands can interfere with the oily layer of your tears, allowing moisture to evaporate faster.

Meibomian gland expression manually clears blocked glands, improving oil flow. Your eye doctor may recommend this approach when imaging or an eyelid examination reveals gland blockages.

Light-Based Therapy

Intense pulsed light (IPL) uses controlled pulses of light around the eyelids to target inflammation and vascular issues associated with dry eye. 

By addressing inflammation around the eyelids, IPL can help create healthier conditions for the meibomian glands and tear film.

Eyelash Cleansing

Professional lid and lash cleansing removes buildup around the eyelids and eyelashes. Cleaner lid margins can promote better eyelid hygiene when debris or inflammation contributes to dry eye discomfort.

What Can Help Dry Eyes at Home?

Daily habits can complement in-office dry eye treatments. Based on your exam, your eye doctor may recommend:

• Heat masks

• Eyelid care

• Changes to screen habits

• Nutrition guidance

For people who spend much of the day on screens, small changes to blinking and screen habits may help reduce daily irritation. 

Find Lasting Dry Eye Relief

Persistent dry eye can have several sources, from blocked oil glands to eyelid inflammation and tear film problems. A closer look at your eyes can help match those findings with appropriate care.

Prairie Eye Care offers advanced dry eye evaluations and several in-office treatment options for patients across Winnipeg. 

Book your eye exam to learn which treatments may help bring greater comfort to your day.

Dry Eye FAQs

Why Can Dry Eye Cause Watery Eyes?

Irritation on the eye's surface can trigger extra tear production. These watery tears may provide limited lubrication when the tear film lacks the balance needed to keep your eyes comfortable.

Do Seasonal Changes Affect Eye Comfort?

They can. Dry air, cold wind, increased pollen count, and indoor heating/cooling can create a drier environment for your eyes and spread allergens, making seasonal changes especially relevant.

Can My Daily Routine Affect My Eyes?

Yes. Screen use, contact lenses, your work environment, and other daily habits can influence eye comfort. Sharing these details with your eye doctor can help provide a fuller picture of your eye care needs.