Saskatoon, SK / (306) 242-4186
(306) 803-5778
Saskatoon, SK / (306) 242-4186
For anyone suffering from dry eye disease, irritation is a constant nuisance. Every waking moment is riddled with discomfort in both eyes. The frustration can seem insurmountable and inescapable. At Pinehouse Eyecare we’ve created a Dry Eye Clinic to better serve those struggling with this condition.
Dry eyes are caused by one of two things: not enough tears produced, or tears that are unbalanced and do not lubricate properly.
Your natural tears are made of water and an oil called meibum. Together they keep your eyes clean while providing lubrication and hydration. Your tear glands provide a continuous supply of tears, while the meibum keeps your tears from evaporating too quickly.
If your tear glands fall behind on production your eyes will not have enough liquid to keep them hydrated or lubricated. In the same vein, if your meibomian glands cannot provide enough meibum your tears will evaporate without properly hydrating your eyes.
The condition of dry eye is more than just dryness. It affects your life in a variety of negative ways:
Depending on the reason for your dry eye, we have a solution. It may take a few visits to our office over several months and a combination of drops, procedures, and oral supplements.
No bigger than a grain of rice, these are inserted right into your tear ducts. They inhibit drainage, meaning that the tears your eyes have produced are kept on the surface of your eye for much longer, allowing more hydration and lubrication before they evaporate.
Punctal plugs can be semi-permanent or temporary. The temporary plugs dissolve after a period of time, while the semi-permanent last longer. If you have success with temporary plugs it’s likely your optometrist will suggest you try semi-permanent plugs.
Restasis is a prescription eye drop that provides hydration while stimulating your eyes’ natural tears to produce more. These drops provide instant relief from dry eye and a long-term solution for some. You must have a prescription for these eye drops, so a visit to an optometrist is necessary.
When dry eye is caused by insufficient meibum production, we step in to help these glands produce more. We encourage better performance by applying a bit of pressure on the lower lids. This pushes out any debris that could be obstructing the flow of meibum and fosters healthier tears. This can cause irritation for a day or two. Post-care includes eye drops and a topical ointment.
Blephex is a painless procedure that only takes a few minutes per eye. We use a handheld tool to carefully remove debris from the meibomian glands on the edges of the lids and the lash line. It thoroughly cleans oil, dirt, and dead skin that impedes tear and meibum production.
Another effective way to open up the glands for optimal meibum production is debridement. In this procedure, we remove the dead or damaged tissue along the lids to clear the meibum glands. Once healthy, the underlying tissue supports better tear development.
Come visit us! Our practice is located on the corner of Pinehouse and Primrose, near Lawson Heights Mall and the Lawson Civic Centre.
| Monday: | 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Tuesday: | 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Wednesday: | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Thursday: | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Friday: | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Saturday: | Closed, but we’d be happy to see you at Stonebridge Eyecare, Broadway Eyecare, or Brighton Eyecare! |
| Sundays: | Closed |
| Holidays: | Closed |
