When dry eye symptoms are severe and persistent, a person may be diagnosed with dry eye syndrome (DES) or dry eye disease. You may have either dry eye syndrome or dry eye disease if you often experience:
- Irritated eyes
- A burning sensation in the eyes
- A feeling as though there is something in your eyes
- A stinging mucus in or around your eyes
- Eye redness
- Difficulty wearing contacts
- Difficulty driving at night
- Frequently teary eyes
- Blurred vision
If you experience any of these symptoms, take the REVITAL-EYES Dry Eye Quiz to determine your DES score, and then work with an optometrist to help minimize your dry eye symptoms.
Why Take The Quiz And What To Do After
How Does The Quiz Work? The quiz is a simple self report. All you have to do is go to the REVITAL-EYES Dry-Eye Quiz on the Blink Eyewear site and click the drop-down bar labeled “Dry Eye Quiz”. Then, fill in your information and answer the 5 questions. Hit the “Get Your Dry Eyes Score!” to determine the severity of your dry eyes.
How Does The Quiz Benefit Me? Many Albertans suffer from dry eye symptoms even if they are not diagnosed with DES. Learning the severity of your symptoms allows you and the Blink eyewear optometrists to understand what steps to take to treat your dry eyes.
What Treatments Are Available For My Dry Eyes?
- IPL REVITAL-EYES. Blink eyewear offers an assortment of advanced technology to address dry eyes. At our Calgary eye clinic, we are proud to carry the latest technology from Lumenis - M22 Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) with EndyMed 3DEEP™ radiofrequency energy hybrid treatments for dry eyes. We call it “REVITAL-EYES”. This state of the art treatment uses pulses of light to stimulate the production of lubricating oils in the tear ducts that keep the eyes moisturized. IPL removes abnormal blood vessels from the eyelids to reduce inflammation while breaking up oil blockages in the glands at the same time. This form of treatment offers several benefits, as it also reduces any chalazion/styes and even reduces the look of fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes.
- Eye Drops. Artificial tears, which are lubricating eye drops that alleviate irritation can also be used to reduce the symptoms of dry eye syndrome. Eye drops specifically formulated to increase your tear production can be prescribed by your optometrist.
- Punctal Plugs. Another option for DES is punctal plugs. These are tiny inserts that are placed inside the lower eyelid that are filled with lubricating ingredients that slowly release to keep your eyes moist throughout the day.
Treat Your Dry Eyes At Blink Eyewear in Calgary
If you are tired of suffering through your dry eye symptoms, take the REVITAL-EYES test and review your results with a Blink Eyewear Optometrist. Whether your symptoms are mild or severe, the expert staff at Blink Eyewear can find the treatment that works best for you so that you can see comfortably. With three convenient locations in Crowfoot in NW Calgary, West Springs in SW Calgary, and Creekside in NW Calgary, Blink Eyewear can offer you great optometry services throughout the city. To book an appointment with Blink Eyewear, call 1-403-516-2292 or fill out the online contact form.
FAQ
Q: Is it bad to rub my eyes?
A: Yes, if you feel any symptoms of dry eyes avoid touching your eyes at all. Instead, try blinking rapidly to naturally lubricate your eyes.
Q: Do contact lenses cause dry eyes?
A: In most cases, contact lenses do not cause dry eyes, but they can exacerbate the symptoms. This is especially true towards the end of the day when patients experience symptoms related to dry eyes such as blurry vision, itchiness, or a gritty sensation.
Q: Does IPL hurt?
A: No. IPL may cause a very slight sensation similar to a rubber band lightly hitting the skin, but your Calgary optometrist will place protective covers over your eyes and will apply a cooling gel to the area of treatment, reducing any negative sensations.