Many people experience dry eye disease in Calgary even when their eyes seem watery. It sounds counterintuitive, but excess tearing can actually be a symptom of underlying dryness.
Do Your Eyes Always Seem to Water
Why does this happen? Tears are more than just water. They consist of three key layers: water, oil, and mucus. The water keeps your eye moist, the oil slows evaporation, and the mucus helps the tear film stick and remain stable.
Now, Where Do All These Components Come From?
- The water component is produced by the lacrimal glands beneath the tail of your eyebrows.
- The oil comes from the meibomian glands along your eyelid margin.
- The mucus is secreted by goblet cells on the surface of your eye.
When any of those components are imbalanced or underperforming, the tear film becomes unstable. The result: inflammation, irritation, and sometimes reflex tearing—your eyes produce excess water in response to dryness. These symptoms are commonly associated with dry eye disease.
Symptoms might include:
- Watery eyes
- Sandy or gritty sensations
- Sensitivity to light
- Itchy or red eyes
- Burning or stinging feelings
- Fatigue in the eyes
- Fluctuating vision
- Trouble wearing contact lenses for long periods
If inflammation isn’t addressed, the damage can worsen: tissue changes, permanent loss of gland function, or improper lid closure may follow.
Causes & Diagnosis by a Calgary Optometrist
Dry eye disease has many possible contributing factors, which is why dry eyes in Calgary may present differently among patients. Your optometrist will carefully evaluate these elements. Modern diagnostics may include imaging with AI-assisted analysis of the tear film layers, gland health, and evaporation rates, a technology that is increasingly being researched for its role in diagnosing dry eye disease (Storås et al., 2021).
During your appointment your optometrist may collect data such as:
- Tear evaporation time
- Tear volume
- Quality of the lipid (oil) layer
- Meibomian gland structure
- Eyelid margin inflammation
- Dry spots on the cornea
These measurements help determine if your symptoms are due to aqueous deficiency, evaporative dry eye, or a combination. The findings guide a dry eye treatment plan unique to you.
According to the Canadian Association of Optometrists, dry eye disease is complex and can have multiple causes, which is why detailed testing is needed to create a treatment plan that targets the source of your symptoms (CAO, 2023).
Treatment Approaches at the Dry Eye Clinic in Calgary
If you’re struggling with dry eyes, our clinic in Calgary offers advanced testing and treatments to help uncover the cause and provide relief. Using baseline data, we can:
- Confirm whether dry eye disease is the main source of your discomfort
- Identify which subtype of dry eye you may have, such as evaporative or aqueous deficient
- Prescribe and monitor a customized treatment approach
Treatment may include:
- Lubricating drops, gels, or ointments
- Warm compresses and lid hygiene to support meibomian gland function
- Lifestyle and environmental modifications (humidifiers, screen breaks)
- Prescription anti-inflammatory drops or medications
- Punctal plugs or tear retention strategies
It’s key to manage inflammation: when it’s controlled, symptoms may improve, and further damage may be reduced. The Canadian Association of Optometrists explains that dry eye disease is multifactorial, which means treatment often needs to be customized based on the specific type and underlying causes identified during testing (CAO, 2023).
Why You May Be Seeing Watery Eyes
Even though “dry eye disease” sounds like a lack of fluid, watery eyes are often a symptom of tear film instability. The eye may reflexively produce excess tears to dilute irritation. The Canadian Association of Optometrists notes that dry eye can have different underlying causes, which is why watery eyes can be one of its symptoms (CAO, 2023).
When to Book an Eye Exam in Calgary
If you’re dealing with persistent burning, fluctuating vision, excessive watering, or trouble wearing lenses, a proper eye exam in Calgary is the first step. A qualified Calgary optometrist at Mission Eye Care can identify the root cause and recommend effective interventions, rather than masking symptoms.
FAQ: Burning Eyes? Watery Eyes? What It Means
Do burning or stinging eyes always mean dry eye?
They’re common symptoms of dry eyes, but there can be other causes too. A full assessment is needed.
Can contact lenses worsen dry eye disease in Calgary?
Yes — contact lenses can interfere with tear film stability and increase evaporation.
Is dry eye curable?
Not always— but many people gain long-term relief with proper dry eye treatment protocols.
Are watery eyes linked to dry eye disease?
Yes. Watery eyes can actually be a symptom of dry eye disease. When the eyes are irritated, they may produce excess tears as a protective reflex, even though the underlying problem is dryness.
Conclusion & Next Steps
Understanding dry eye disease in Calgary is more than noticing dryness or tearing. It’s about identifying the underlying balance of tear components and treating them precisely. The right care from a Calgary optometrist at a specialized dry eye clinic in Calgary like Mission Eye Care can offer meaningful relief.
If you’re dealing with symptoms like burning eyes, watery eyes, or lens discomfort, don’t just live with it. Book an eye exam in Calgary at Mission Eye Care and let us help you find a treatment path that works for your eyes and your lifestyle.
References
Canadian Association of Optometrists. (March 27, 2023). Dry Eye (Ocular Surface Disease). https://opto.ca/eye-health-library/dry-eye-ocular-surface-disease
Abud, T. G., Carvalho, W. V. S., de Souza-Dias, C. R., Schor, P., & de Morais, G. M. V. (September 2, 2021). Cornell University. Artificial Intelligence in Dry Eye Disease: A Review. https://arxiv.org/abs/2109.01658
Dr. Riaz Ahmed, Optometrist
Dr. Ahmed founded Mission Eye Care in 2005 with a vision to provide high quality eye care using the latest technology. He has over 25 years of experience in eye disease management and primary clinical eye care.
Dr. Andrea Lasby Optometrist (F.A.A.O., F.S.L.S.)
Dr. Lasby is a Calgary native and partner at Mission Eye Care. She is residency trained in corneal disease and the fitting of custom scleral lenses for adults and children including babies who have undergone cataract removal (infant aphakia). She is current president of the Alberta Association of Optometrists.
