Refresh and Relieve Chronic Dry Eye
Living with irritated, uncomfortable eyes can be a constant distraction. Dealing with the symptoms of dry eye can make screen time unpleasant, and our dry Calgary winters can exacerbate the condition even further.
At Sun Valley Eye Care, we provide in-depth dry eye assessments to determine the cause of your discomfort and develop a thorough treatment plan for lasting relief that targets the root of the problem, not just your symptoms.
From at-home treatments to in-office therapies like IPL and radiofrequency, we offer an extensive range of treatments to help restore your tear production for more comfortable eyes.
Don’t just push through your dry eye symptoms; find relief. Book your appointment with us today.
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What Is Dry Eye?
Dry eye is a blanket term for a group of eye conditions that affect the tear film. Also known as ocular surface disease, dry eye can result in red, gritty, irritated eyes.
Dry eye is a common condition, but its causes are diverse. Treating dry eye effectively begins with an in-depth examination of your eyes and tear film.
Symptoms and Causes of Dry Eye
Dry eye symptoms are caused by either insufficient tear production or poor-quality tears. A healthy tear film is made up of 3 layers: the mucus layer, the water layer, and the oil layer.
Dry eye is typically characterized as either aqueous-deficient, where the eyes don’t produce a sufficient water layer, or evaporative dry eye, where the eyes don’t produce a sufficient oil layer, causing the water layer to evaporate too quickly.
Despite the different causes, the symptoms remain similar between the different types of dry eye. That’s why a detailed eye exam is necessary to determine the cause and design an appropriate treatment plan.
Symptoms of Dry Eye
- Stinging or burning sensation
- Red and irritated eyes
- A gritty or scratchy feeling in the eyes
- Watery eyes
- Discomfort while wearing contact lenses
- Foreign body sensation (feeling like something is in your eye)
- Stringy mucus from the eye
Symptoms may vary between people. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact us for a dry eye assessment.
Causes of Dry Eye
- Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)
- Blepharitis
- Aging
- Wearing contact lenses
- Recent laser eye surgery
- Certain medications
- Medical conditions such as Sjögren’s Syndrome and lupus
- Demodex
Determining the cause of your symptoms will help us tailor treatments that’ll help you find lasting relief.
How We Diagnose Dry Eye
During your routine eye exam, your optometrist will check your tear film with a slit lamp, a type of microscope. If they notice anything of concern or you mention experiencing any dry eye symptoms, they’ll recommend a dry eye assessment.
Our assessments are an in-depth examination of your tear film and meibomian glands. Our Mediworks suite offers a comprehensive evaluation of your ocular surface, including your tear film and meibomian glands. In about 35 minutes, we use imaging technology to provide detailed insights into gland function and tear quality, helping us tailor treatments for lasting comfort and eye health.
After determining the cause of your dry eye symptoms, your optometrist will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that targets the root cause and aligns with your preferences.
Our Dry Eye Treatments
At Sun Valley Eye Care, we offer an extensive range of dry eye treatment options. Whether you’re experiencing meibomian gland dysfunction, blepharitis, aqueous-deficient dry eye, or another cause, we have therapies tailored to your needs.
Our primary goal is to help you preserve your eyes’ natural ability to heal, stay lubricated, and find comfort despite our dry climate. Left untreated, dry eye can damage the surface of your eye. That’s why a targeted treatment is so important.
Our treatment options range from at-home options to in-office energy-based treatments and more thorough therapies for advanced dry eye conditions. Many treatment plans may combine different methods to find you quick and lasting relief. symptoms, contact us for a dry eye assessment.
Eye drops are one of the quickest soothing treatments for dry eye symptoms. However, not all eye drops are equally effective. While over-the-counter eye drops can provide temporary relief from dry eye, those with chronic dry eye symptoms often need more targeted relief.
We can prescribe specialized or custom eye drops designed to treat your specific cause of dry eye. Whether you’re struggling with inflammation, aqueous-deficient dry eye, or evaporative dry eye, we can discuss the eye drop options available to you during your appointment.
Plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) eye drops are custom-made for you. They’re created using plasma from your own blood, which is separated to isolate the growth factors and create a specialized formula.
This formula helps to reactivate and increase the natural repair activity of your eye. It can improve the structure and lubrication of your eye, treating more advanced stages of dry eye.
Energy-based treatments such as intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy and radiofrequency (RF) can be especially useful for targeting meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), one of the most common causes of dry eye.
Both treatments are used to restore the function of the meibomian glands and improve oil production. They can also help to reduce inflammation, improve blood circulation, and smooth or tighten the skin around the eyes.
For those with more significant dry eye conditions, amniotic membrane grafts may be recommended. This procedure involves placing an amniotic membrane over the cornea of the eye to promote healing and restoration.
Amniotic membranes have anti-inflammatory and anti-scarring effects and contain growth factors that promote wound healing on the surface of the eye.
The UMAY eye therapy device soothes tired, dry eyes. The device provides 10-minute sessions of cool, heat, or both to refresh and recharge your eyes. For those struggling with dry eye and eye strain, the UMAY rest device may provide relief.
We offer UMAY sessions within our dry eye clinic, or you can purchase your own to use at home.
Visit Our Dry Eye Clinic Today
Our dedicated dry eye clinic is located on the 3rd floor of the Lifemark Sunpark Plaza building, just 2 floors away from our main clinic.
If you’re struggling with chronic dry eye, don’t push through your symptoms. Book an appointment with us to find the root cause of your discomfort and take steps towards relief.
We take care of your eyes so your eyes and tears can take care of you.
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Why Sun Valley Eye Care?
Health-Focused Care
Your eye health is our focus. We offer extensive diagnostic imaging, eye alignment checks, and vision tests to make sure your eyes are healthy and functioning well together to prevent headaches, eye strain, or other discomfort.
Patient Education
We want you to understand your health and eye care options so you can make informed decisions. Our optometrists take time to walk you through any important information and answer all your questions.
Genuine Connection
Our team wants to get to know you and your family. We’re genuinely excited to catch up with you during your appointment and get a better understanding of your life and your needs. We believe this connection lets us serve you better.
Visit Our Location
Finding Our Office
We’re on the main floor of the Sunpark Plaza building beside South Calgary Medical Clinic.
Where to Park?
Validated, accessible parking is available right outside.
Our Address
- 105-40 Sunpark Plaza SE
- Calgary, AB T2X 3X7
Contact Information
- Phone: 403-452-3443
- Email: vision@sunvalleyeyecare.ca
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Sun Valley Eye Care
- 105-40 Sunpark Plaza SE
- Calgary, AB T2X 3X7