Stoney Creek Eye Care & Eyewear Boutique - Dr. L Bahoshy & Assoc.
15 Mountain Ave S #110 Stoney Creek ON L8G 2V6 (905) 662-8863
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(289) 205-2338

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Stoney Creek, ON
(905) 662-8863

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5 Home Remedies for Dry Eye

If your eyes are frequently irritated, sore, or red, you may have dry eyes. This condition is common, with many looking for long-term relief. Before you contact your optometrist, you can try managing your dry eyes at home. 

Continue reading to learn more about dry eye disease and 5 home remedies for your dry eyes. 

What Causes Dry Eyes?

Dry eye disease is a chronic condition occurring when there is instability within the tear film. 3 layers form the tear film: mucus, aqueous fluid, and lipid (oil). When complications develop in one of these layers, it can lead to inflammation and dry eye symptoms

The symptoms of dry eye disease include: 

  • Light sensitivity 
  • Eye redness
  • Watery eyes
  • Stinging, scratching, or burning eyes 
  • Blurred vision 
  • Foreign object sensation 

Dry eyes typically occur due to one of two reasons, aqueous deficient or evaporative dry eye. 

Aqueous Deficient Dry Eye

Aqueous deficient dry eye occurs when you can’t produce enough tears. The glands in your eyes create a constant supply of liquid to help keep your eyes moist and protected. When these glands don’t produce enough tears, your eyes can become dry and irritated. 

This condition usually happens because of: 

These are the most common causes of aqueous deficient dry eye, but other health problems, such as hepatitis C and damage to the tear glands, can contribute to this condition

Evaporative Dry Eye 

Evaporative dry eye happens when small glands in your eyelids become clogged, leading to dry, itchy eyes. Your tear film works to keep your eyes clear, clean, and protected, washing away germs, dust, and other debris when you blink. 

The lipid layer of the tear film is responsible for coating the eye’s surface with oil, preventing tears from drying out. These tiny glands releasing oil are called meibomian glands. 

If meibomian glands become plugged, clogged, or blocked, your tears dry out faster, causing evaporative dry eye. The common causes for this condition include: 

Who’s Affected by Sore Eyes?

Many people have dry eye symptoms, but who is affected by this condition? 

It’s more common for older adults to experience dry eyes. Tear production can begin to decrease with age.

This condition may be more frequent with age, but anyone can experience dry eyes. It’s estimated 30% of Canadians experience the symptoms of dry eye disease. Despite its prominence, some people may be at more risk of dry eyes than others. 

Risk Factors For Dry Eye

There are a few different factors increasing someone’s chances of experiencing dry eyes. These risk factors include: 

  • Age: Tear production can begin to diminish with age; making people over 50 more likely to experience dry eyes
  • Diet: People whose diet lacks vitamin A have a higher chance of developing dry eye disease
  • Gender: A lack of tears is more common in women, & hormonal changes from pregnancy, contraceptives, & menopause can affect this
  • Contacts: Frequently wearing contact lenses can increase your likelihood of experiencing dry eyes 
Woman frustrated due to dry eye while working on laptop

Home Remedies for Dry Eyes: What Works?

Dry eye disease can do more than irritate your eyes. Severe or chronic cases of dry eyes can cause damage to the eye’s surface and decreased quality of life. Thankfully, you can attempt to manage your dry eyes at home. 

If you experience dry eyes and are looking for relief, try some of these 5 tips: 

Increase Your Omega-3 Fatty Acids 

Eating more salmon can help your dry eyes. Research from the Brigham and Women’s Hospital found that those who consumed larger amounts of omega-3 fatty acids had a 17% lower risk of dry eyes

You can get your omega-3s from fish, walnuts, vegetable oils, and flaxseed. Supplements can help you get the ideal amount of omega-3 fatty acids. 

Frequently Blink 

If you work on the computer for long periods, try blinking more. Staring at digital devices can make you blink less frequently, leading to dry eyes. You can combat this by following the 20/20 rule, close your eyes every 20 minutes for 20 seconds. 

Another trick you can use is placing a note on your computer reminding yourself to blink. Reading this note can help you avoid dry eyes. 

Warm Compresses 

If you experience evaporative dry eye disease, it may be because your meibomian glands have become clogged or plugged. When your tears don’t have enough oil to protect them from evaporating, your eyes can become dry and inflamed. 

To relieve your irritation and loosen clogged oils, you can wet a washcloth with warm water to create a compress. Place it over your closed eyes for at least one minute while gently pressing along the edge of your eyelid to remove blocked oils

Besides using a regular washcloth, there are specialized heating masks you can purchase to help relieve your dry eyes and clogged meibomian glands. 

Clean Your Eyelashes 

Dry eye disease can cause inflammation of the eyelids. You can relieve this inflammation by cleaning your eyelids, including the surrounding hair and skin. 

Place a small amount of baby shampoo or soap on your fingertips and gently massage your closed eye. Specialized wipes available for purchase can help you clean your lashes and eyelids. 

Eye Drops

Over-the-counter eye drops can help keep your eyes moisturized; they work similarly to normal tears. Many common eye drops have preservatives added for longer use, but these may irritate your eyes more. Thicker gels for dry eyes are an additional option. 

If you have any questions about the best eye drops for you, contact your optometrist

Looking for an Eye Doctor?

Dry eyes can be irritating and painful when you can’t find relief. If these home remedies aren’t helping you, it may be time to visit your optometrist. They can help you find the long-term comfort you need. 

If you suffer from chronic dry eyes, request an appointment

Written by Dr. Louis P. Bahoshy

Dr. Bahoshy attended the University of Waterloo, where he graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Science Degree (B.Sc), as well as a Doctor of Optometry (OD) Degree.

As part of his optometry training, Dr. Bahoshy completed an externship at the prestigious Omni Eye Institute in Baltimore, gaining extensive experience in diagnosing and managing ocular health conditions. He worked alongside a pediatric ophthalmologist at their satellite location in White Marsh.

While in optometry school, Dr. Bahoshy spent two summers as a researcher at the world-renowned Centre for Contact Lens Research (CCLR) at the University of Waterloo, School of Optometry, learning about the latest in contact lens technology.

Dr. Bahoshy began practicing at Stoney Creek Eye Care (formerly known as Dueck Optometry) in 2001. In October 2017, Dr. Bahoshy became the clinic’s new owner, continuing the commitment of serving Stoney Creek and the surrounding community.

Today, Dr. Bahoshy is an active member of the Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO), the Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO), and the Hamilton and District Society of Optometrists. He is also an affiliate doctor at TLC Laser Eye Centres.

When not seeing patients, Dr. Bahoshy enjoys swimming, going to the gym, and spending time with his wife Cynthia, and their two young boys, Pierre and Leo.

More Articles by Dr. Louis P. Bahoshy

Our Vision in Action

At Stoney Creek Eye Care & Eyewear Boutique our trusted team of eye doctors is committed to providing you with high-quality eye care, stylish frames, and personalized attention. We offer a wide variety of services, including:

Convenient Location, Extended Hours,
and Direct Billing

We understand that life is hectic. We want to help make it a little simpler, which is why our centrally-located practice offers extended hours on Mondays and Saturdays. We’re also happy to directly bill most major insurance companies on your behalf. And on top of all that? We’ve got plenty of free parking. Stoney Creek Eye Care & Eyewear Boutique will always do whatever we can to make your life a little easier, located in the Health Science Building.

Stoney Creek Eye Care & Eyewear Boutique

  • 15 Mountain Ave S #110
  • Stoney Creek, ON L8G 2V6

Contact Information

Clinic Hours

  • Monday9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
  • Tuesday9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
  • Wednesday9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
  • Thursday9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
  • Friday10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Saturday8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
  • SundayClosed

Eyeglass Frames & Lenses

A truly complete eye care experience includes the best eyewear the world has to offer. Our Boutique is well-stocked with globally-recognized brands like Dior, Ray-Ban, Kate Spade, Fossil, and much more.

But of course, your eyewear is much more than just your frames. We offer Zeiss lenses; the paragon of quality lens technology. By pairing the best in optical lenses with filters and coatings for improved performance, Stoney Creek Eye Care & Eyewear Boutique is here to help you look your best, see your best, and feel your best.

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