What is dry eye?
Dry eye happens when your eyes don’t make enough tears, or the tears dry up too fast. It’s very common, especially with screen use, dry indoor air in winter, contact lenses, getting older, menopause, and some medications like antihistamines.
It’s usually a long-term condition that you manage rather than cure, and the right routine makes a big difference.
Listed in Ontario’s minor ailments program as: Xerophthalmia (dry eye).
Common symptoms
- Gritty, sandy or burning feeling in the eyes
- Eyes that feel tired, especially after reading or screens
- Redness
- Blurry vision that clears when you blink
- Watery eyes (your eyes overreact to the dryness)
How a Kennedy pharmacist can help
Your pharmacist will ask about your symptoms, screen time, contact lenses and medications, and check for signs of something other than dry eye.
They may recommend or prescribe lubricating drops matched to how dry your eyes are, a thicker gel or ointment for night time, and warm compresses if your eyelid oil glands are blocked. If you use drops more than 4 times a day, we’ll suggest preservative-free ones.
If we think you’d be better served by a doctor, we’ll tell you, and help you figure out where to go.
Medicines a pharmacist may consider
- Carboxymethylcellulose drops (Refresh Tears, Refresh Plus)everyday artificial tears; preservative-free if used often
- Polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol and HP-guar drops (Systane Ultra)longer-lasting lubricating drops
- Dextran 70 and hypromellose drops (Tears Naturale)other lubricating drops
- Mineral oil and petrolatum ointment (Refresh Lacri-Lube)a thick ointment for night time
Your pharmacist chooses based on your symptoms, age, pregnancy, allergies and other medications, so not every option is right for everyone. Brand names are examples. We often use the generic version, which works the same and usually costs less.
What it costs
The assessment is free with a valid Ontario health card. It’s paid for by the province, just like a visit to your doctor.
If you’re prescribed something, the medicine is paid for like any other prescription: through your drug plan, the Ontario Drug Benefit (65+ and other eligible people), OHIP+ (under 25 without a private plan), or out of pocket.
Good to know: Eye drops are usually bought off the shelf, but some drug plans cover them when a pharmacist prescribes them. If you use them every day, it’s worth checking.
No Ontario health card? Text or call us first and we’ll tell you the fee before we start.
When to see a doctor instead
See your family doctor, a walk-in clinic or a nurse practitioner if:
- Your eye is painful, not just gritty or uncomfortable
- Your vision is blurry and doesn’t clear when you blink
- Light hurts your eyes
- Only one eye is affected and it’s very red
- You also have a very dry mouth or joint pain
- You’ve had recent eye surgery, or you wear contact lenses and your eye is red and sore
Call 911 or go to the ER if:
- Sudden vision loss, or severe eye pain
- A chemical or object got in your eye
Not sure? Call Health811 (dial 811) any time to speak with a registered nurse, free.