Do your eyes often feel gritty, irritated, or excessively watery? These could be signs of dry eye disease, a condition that affects many Canadians. Dry eyes happen when your eyes don’t produce enough quality tears or when tears evaporate too quickly. If left untreated, dry eye disease can worsen over time, making everyday activities uncomfortable. If you are experiencing persistent symptoms, visiting a dry eye clinic in Calgary like Mission Eye Care can help you find relief and improve your eye health. This blog post will explore common signs of dry eyes and give you some at-home tips to help prevent dry eyes.
What Are Dry Eyes?
Dry eye disease is a condition where your eyes either don’t make enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly. This can lead to irritation, redness, and even blurred vision. Common causes of dry eyes include aging, prolonged screen time, certain medications, and environmental factors (Canadian Association of Optometrists, 2023). While occasional dryness is typical, chronic symptoms may indicate an underlying issue that needs professional attention.
5 Signs You Need to Visit a Dry Eye Clinic in Calgary
If your eyes often feel scratchy, burning, or irritated, it could be due to dry eye disease. Chronic dryness can cause inflammation, making your eyes look red and feel uncomfortable. This irritation is often worse in dry or windy conditions and may not improve with over-the-counter eye drops (Mayo Clinic, 2022).
Dry eyes can make you more sensitive to bright lights, making it uncomfortable to be outside on sunny days or under harsh indoor lighting. This happens because an unstable tear film leaves your eyes unprotected from environmental irritants. If you find yourself squinting more than usual or avoiding well-lit spaces, it might be time for a professional evaluation.
Tears help keep your vision sharp by maintaining a smooth optical surface. When tear production is inadequate, your vision may become blurry or fluctuate throughout the day. If you’ve noticed that your vision isn’t as crisp as it used to be and improves after blinking or using artificial tears, dry eyes could be the culprit (Canadian Association of Optometrists, 2023).
It might sound strange, but watery eyes can be a sign of dryness. When your eyes are irritated due to dryness, they may produce an overabundance of reflex tears, which are of poor quality and evaporate quickly. This dryness and excessive tearing cycle can make daily activities, like reading or driving, more frustrating (Mayo Clinic, 2022).
If you wear contact lenses and find them increasingly uncomfortable, dry eye disease may be to blame. Contact lenses rely on a stable tear film to stay hydrated and comfortable. Without sufficient moisture, they can feel dry, gritty, or even painful. A visit to a dry eye clinic in Calgary can help determine if you need specialized lenses or a different treatment plan (National Eye Institute, 2025).
Quick At-Home Tips to Help Prevent Dry Eye Symptoms
While professional treatment is essential for managing chronic dry eye disease, there are several steps you can take to help reduce symptoms and maintain eye health:
Wear UV Safe Eyewear
Sunglasses with UV protection can shield your eyes from wind, dust, and harsh sunlight, reducing irritation.
Use a Humidifier
Dry indoor air can worsen dry eye symptoms. A humidifier can help maintain moisture levels in your home or office.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking enough water is essential for tear production and overall eye health.
Follow the 20-20-20 Rule
If you spend long hours in front of screens, take a break every 20 minutes by looking at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds (Canadian Association of Optometrists, 2023).
Eat Omega-3 Rich Foods
Foods like salmon, flaxseeds, and walnuts contain essential fatty acids that support tear production and reduce eye inflammation. Check out this blog post for more information on nutrition and eye health.
Mission Eye Care - Your Dry Eye Clinic in Calgary
Mission Eye Care is here to help if any of these symptoms sound familiar. Our experienced team offers advanced dry eye treatments tailored to your specific needs. From prescription eye drops to innovative therapies like intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment and meibomian gland expression, we provide a variety of solutions to help restore your eye comfort and improve your vision. Learn more about our treatments here.
Don’t let dry eyes interfere with your daily life—schedule an appointment today to find relief!
Dr. Wincy Chung, Optometrist
Dr. Wincy Chung is in private practice at Mission Eye Care in Calgary, where she also completed her accredited residency. She enjoys fitting custom contact lenses, orthokeratology, infant aphakia, myopia management, and dry eye management.
References
- Canadian Association of Optometrists. (2023, March 27). Dry Eye (Ocular Surface Disease). https://opto.ca/eye-health-library/dry-eye-ocular-surface-disease
- Mayo Clinic. (2022, September 23). Dry eyes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-eyes/symptoms-causes/syc-20371863
- National Eye Institute. (2025, February 18). Dry eye. https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/dry-eye
