Dry Eye Treatment in Mississauga

Your tears, and tear film, have a vital function besides expressing sadness or joy. The tears that are present all the time are called basal tears. They keep the surface of the eye clean, smooth, and protected. (Fun fact: those emotional tears have added hormones and proteins not found in basal tears.)

Your tear film has three layers:

• An inner mucus layer that keeps the whole tear film fastened to the eye.
• A watery middle layer (the thickest layer) keeps the eye hydrated, repels bacteria and protects the cornea.
• An outer oily layer to keep the surface of the tear smooth for the eye to see through, and to prevent the other layers from evaporating.

Any disruption to your tears can throw the balance off, causing dry eye symptoms and discomfort.

Artificial tears, offered as drops, can ease dry eye symptoms, especially if the root cause is environmental or due to ageing or medication. Talk to your optometrist to see what type of artificial tears can help with your dry eye.