Dry Eye Consultations
Do your eyes ever feel gritty, tired, irritated, red and sore, and sometimes even water profusely? Does your vision seem to fluctuate and improve slightly when you blink? If you answered yes to any of those, you may have dry eye syndrome. However, since some of these symptoms can also be the early signs of more serious eye problems, booking an appointment with Dr. Jaffray is an important first step. Dr. Jaffray is trained to recognize, diagnose, and treat dry eye syndrome and differentiate it from other eye diseases. Certain medical conditions and medications, natural aging, physical lid closure problems, and hormones due to menopause, can all contribute to dry eyes. The use of computers and electronic devices also plays a role, and in today’s society, it is a common factor for many patients. It is important to know that dry eyes come in 2 forms, aqueous deficiency (lack of moisture production) and evaporative (moisture evaporates too quickly). Each of these is common in our city, but the treatment is different.
FOCUSED OPTOMETRY
Dry Eye Exams & Consultations
587-353-6287
Call us to schedule an eye exam or book online
Focused Optometry is conveniently located in Northland Plaza. With free parking, you can feel at ease while having your eye examination or shopping for glasses and sunglasses. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Eye Exams
Although many patients think that eye examinations are all about picking 1 or 2, they also are important for eye health and comfort. One of the most common reasons for eye discomfort in Calgary is dry eye syndrome. The symptoms of dry eye syndrome can be vague and annoying at first but left untreated, can have a huge impact on vision and quality of life. Having properly lubricated eyes is imperative for having clear eyesight. However, there is more to dry eyes than simply drinking more water, or buying some drops at your local grocery or pharmacy. Dry eye syndrome can be complex and confusing. Luckily, Dr. Jaffray is available to guide you through the entire process!
Dry Eye Treatments
Treatment and management can take several forms. Simply using artificial tears is often not enough for either type and knowing what type of drops and how often is a question Dr. Jaffray can help you with. Sometimes prescription topical medications can help either on a temporary or more long-term basis. Glasses and specialty contact lenses can also play a role. Reducing eyestrain on computers and blocking harmful blue light reduces the probability of a damaged corneal surface. In severe cases, Dr. Jaffray can also fit Scleral contact lenses, which provide a moisture barrier over the eye. At Focused Optometry, we offer nutritional supplements for dry eyes including Omega 3 (liquid and pill form), Bruder masks, and many types of artificial tears to help prevent and alleviate your symptoms.
Ongoing Care
In recent years, Dr. Jaffray herself has begun to experience dry eyes and can relate to the frustrations dry eye syndrome brings. Due to the chronic nature of dry eye syndrome, and its tendency to wax and wane, it can be challenging to mitigate. Making small changes to our daily routine can be difficult. For many patients, following the treatment regimen instructions is symptom-driven. Once the symptoms begin to improve, due to careful treatment and maintenance, it is common for compliance with therapy to decline, allowing symptoms to slowly return. Dr. Jaffray is patient and will work with you to help design and coach you through this challenging process.
dry eye in calgary
Calgary is one of the sunniest and arguably one of the driest cities in Canada, making it a hub for dry eye patients. Dr. Jaffray understands dry eye syndrome and can offer varied treatment and maintenance options for restoring proper moisture balance in the eyes. Since dry eye syndrome is a chronic condition, often requiring multiple visits, Dr. Jaffray’s convenient location allows for an added level of simplicity to your ongoing eye health needs. NO matter what level of care you require, Dr. Jaffray is ready to educate you and design a plan catered to your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
The initial visit to see Dr. Jaffray is covered under the medically necessary portion of AHC for patients of all ages. However, treatment options and consumables like artificial tears are often not covered as they aren’t considered “medications”. Dr. Jaffray can also refer severe cases to an ophthalmologist for further, more expensive treatments, such as MiBoFlo and LipiFlow.
Dry eyes are something that generally does not go away or get cured. It is a chronic and progressive condition for most patients. Moving to a more humid climate is typically not an option, so treatment focuses on management and hopefully prevention of symptoms.
The short answer is NO. There are many brands that offer superior benefits to others. In general, Dr. Jaffray recommends that all her dry patients use preservative-free drops such as Hylo Dual or Hylo Gel (by Candorvision), Evolve and Evolve Gel (by Aequus Eye Care), Hyabak, or ThealozDuo (by Labtician), or even an ointment such as Ocunox with Vitamin A (by Candorvision).
The initial visit to see Dr. Jaffray is covered under the medically necessary portion of AHC for patients of all ages. However, treatment options and consumables like artificial tears are often not covered as they aren’t considered “medications”. Dr. Jaffray can also refer severe cases to an ophthalmologist for further, more expensive treatments, such as MiBoFlo and LipiFlow.
Dry eyes are something that generally does not go away or get cured. It is a chronic and progressive condition for most patients. Moving to a more humid climate is typically not an option, so treatment focuses on management and hopefully prevention of symptoms.
The short answer is NO. There are many brands that offer superior benefits to others. In general, Dr. Jaffray recommends that all her dry patients use preservative-free drops such as Hylo Dual or Hylo Gel (by Candorvision), Evolve and Evolve Gel (by Aequus Eye Care) Hyabak, or ThealozDuo (by Labtician), or even an ointment such as Ocunox with Vitamin A (by Candorvision).
FOCUSED OPTOMETRY
Calgary NW Optometrists & Eye Clinic
587-353-6287
Call us to schedule an eye exam or book online
Focused Optometry is conveniently located in Northland Plaza. With free parking, you can feel at ease while having your eye examination or shopping for glasses and sunglasses. We look forward to seeing you soon!