Dry, burning, or watery eyes can be more than a minor irritation. They may be signs of Dry Eye Disease. At Mission Eye Care in Calgary, we use advanced diagnostic technology and a thorough, step-by-step approach that includes a comprehensive eye exam to identify the cause of chronic dry eye symptoms and develop a personalized treatment plan. Whether you are a busy professional on digital devices all day, a parent managing family eye health, or an older adult managing long-term eye conditions, understanding how dry eye disease is diagnosed can ensure your visit is comfortable and productive.
What Is Dry Eye Disease?
Dry eye disease is a chronic condition in which the tear film, the thin protective layer covering the ocular surface, does not function properly. This leads to inflammation and eventually damage to the delicate structures that support a healthy eye surface.
This may involve:
- Tear film instability, where tears break up too quickly
- Evaporative dry eye, often linked with meibomian gland dysfunction
- Aqueous-deficient dry eye, when not enough watery tears are produced
Dry eye disease may also be associated with systemic conditions. For example, patients with autoimmune diseases such as Sjögren’s disease can experience significant corneal complications, including corneal surface damage and, in rare severe cases, scarring or perforation if left untreated.³ This highlights why early diagnosis and ongoing management with routine eye exams at Mission Eye Care can be so important.
Why a Comprehensive Eye Exam Matters for Dry Eye
Dry eye can have many overlapping causes, including age, hormones, medications, autoimmune disease, prior eye surgery, poor blink mechanics, digital eye strain, and contact lens use.² A quick screening rarely captures the whole picture.
At Mission Eye Care, comprehensive eye exams are designed to look beyond blurry vision. We evaluate the front and back of the eye.
During the same visit, we can also screen for and monitor other conditions that often coexist with or worsen dry eye, such as cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetes related eye disease, and keratoconus.
Following a comprehensive eye exam, we will book a dedicated dry eye assessment. At this visit, we measure how your tears behave and assess eyelid and meibomian gland health, which can significantly contribute to evaporative dry eye and meibomian gland dysfunction. We use advanced imaging technologies such as infrared meibography and tear interferometry to pinpoint the exact causes of your dry eyes. From there, an evidence-based treatment plan is developed that targets the root problem rather than just covering up the symptoms.
Step by Step: How Dry Eye Disease Is Assessed
1. Detailed Symptom and Health History
We begin by asking about your symptoms and lifestyle, including:
- Burning, stinging, foreign body sensation, or eye irritation and discomfort
- Fluctuating or blurred vision, especially during reading or screen use
- Tearing, redness, or sensitivity to light
- Use of contact lenses, digital devices, CPAP, or air conditioning
This history helps us determine whether your symptoms are more consistent with evaporative dry eye, aqueous-deficient dry eye, meibomian gland dysfunction, or a combination.
2. Assessment of Vision and Refraction
A comprehensive eye exam is essential prior to a dry eye assessment to assess your visual function, prescription and any contributory eye disease. Because dry eye can cause fluctuating vision, we look for anything that can cause you to blink poorly or stare, which may contribute to tear film instability.
3. Examination of the Ocular Surface
At Mission Eye Care, we use a range of technologies to examine your eyes and diagnose dry eye disease. We look for things such as:
- Tear film quality and how quickly it breaks up
- Eyelid margins and meibomian gland health
- Corneal and conjunctival surfaces for dryness-related changes
At our dry eye clinic in Calgary, we use non-invasive imaging and certain dyes to highlight areas of dryness or surface damage and help grade the severity of dry eye disease.
4. Meibomian Gland and Eyelid Evaluation
Meibomian glands line the eyelids and produce the oily layer of the tear film that helps prevent evaporation. When these glands are blocked or not functioning properly, evaporative dry eye and meibomian gland dysfunction can develop.
We assess oil quality and flow, examine the lid margins, and look for signs of inflammation. In some cases, imaging such as infrared meibography may be used to visualize gland structure. These imaging tools are often used alongside clinical findings to support a more accurate and comprehensive dry eye diagnosis.¹
5. Tear Film Quantity and Quality Tests
To determine whether aqueous-deficient dry eye is present, we may perform tests that measure tear production and stability. One such test uses interferometry to measure the thickness and proper function of the oily layer of the tears.
Connecting Diagnosis to Personalized Dry Eye Treatment
Once we identify whether your dry eye is driven primarily by tear film instability, evaporative dry eye, aqueous-deficiency, meibomian gland dysfunction, or systemic disease, we can recommend a tailored dry eye treatment to not only help manage symptoms, but also treat the root causes of your specific type of dry eye.
For contact lens wearers, adjustments to lens type or fit or care system may be recommended. Some patients benefit from scleral lenses, which create a fluid reservoir over the ocular surface and may improve comfort in select cases.
FAQ: Dry Eye Diagnosis and Eye Exams in Calgary
How is dry eye disease diagnosed during an eye exam?
Dry eye disease is diagnosed based on a combination of symptom history, tear film assessment, and evaluation of the meibomian glands and eyelids. Imaging tools such as videokeratography, tear film interferometry, meibography, and anterior segment OCT may also be used.
Can an eye exam detect the cause of my dry eye symptoms?
A comprehensive eye exam can often determine whether symptoms are related to evaporative dry eye, aqueous-deficient dry eye, meibomian gland dysfunction, eyelid conditions, environmental factors, or associated disease. Tear film and gland imaging, combined with clinical findings, help identify the primary cause.¹
Why do my eyes still feel dry even after using eye drops?
If over-the-counter drops do not address the underlying cause, such as meibomian gland dysfunction or autoimmune-related dryness, symptoms may persist.
When should I visit a dry eye clinic in Calgary?
You may benefit from a dry eye clinic visit if symptoms last longer than a few weeks, you need drops multiple times per day, your vision fluctuates, or you have risk factors such as autoimmune disease or prior radiotherapy near the eye.² Early evaluation may help reduce the risk of serious corneal complications.³
What is the best treatment for dry eye disease?
There is no single best treatment for all patients, and dry eye management often involves a combination of approaches. The most appropriate approach depends on whether dry eye is evaporative, aqueous-deficient, or mixed, as well as the presence of other inflammatory eye or systemic conditions.
Book a Comprehensive Dry Eye Assessment in Calgary at Mission Eye Care
If you are looking for an optometrist in Calgary who takes a thorough, technology-driven approach to dry eye, Mission Eye Care is here to help. During your comprehensive eye exam, we assess the tear film, ocular surface, and meibomian glands in detail to uncover the root cause of your symptoms and create a tailored care plan.
Book an appointment today to schedule your dry eye assessment, or explore our full range of services, including contact lenses, boutique eyewear, and advanced care for cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, keratoconus, and more.
Still Have Questions About Diabetic Eye Care in Calgary?
At Mission Eye Care, our optometrists are dedicated to helping you understand your options and take proactive steps toward long-term eye health.
Book your diabetic eye exam in Calgary today and experience comprehensive, compassionate care from a team that understands diabetes-related vision needs.
Dr. Andrea Lasby Optometrist (FAAO, FSLS, FCCSO)
Dr. Lasby is a private practice clinician and partner at Mission Eye Care in Calgary. She is residency trained in corneal disease and custom contact lenses. She is also a well-renowned speaker and serves on the board of the Alberta Association of Optometrists.
References
- Harti ME, et al. A Comprehensive Review Comparing Artificial Intelligence and Clinical Diagnostic Approaches for Dry Eye Disease. Diagnostics (Basel). 2025. doi:10.3390/diagnostics15233071
- Beecher M, et al. Ophthalmic complications of radiotherapy. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2025. doi:10.1007/s00417-025-07010-5
- Ortiz-Morales G, et al. Corneal complications of Sjögren’s disease: Insights from a large tertiary ophthalmological care center. Ocular Surface. 2025. doi:10.1016/j.jtos.2025.11.009
