Dry eye (dry eye disease)
Dry eye happens when your eyes don’t make enough tears, or the tears evaporate too quickly to keep the surface comfortable. It feels like grittiness, burning, stinging, or a “something’s-in-my-eye” sensation, and — confusingly — can sometimes cause watery, reflex tearing. Symptoms typically affect both eyes and tend to get worse through the day, especially with screen use, wind, dry air, or contact lenses. It’s very common, particularly with age, and while it’s usually a nuisance rather than a danger, the right lubricating drop and a few habit changes make a real difference.
Self-care products available in our shop
- Artificial tear drops (e.g., Systane, Refresh, Blink, TheraTears) for daytime relief
- Preservative-free single-use drops if you use drops more than 4 times a day
- Lubricating gels and night-time ointments for longer-lasting relief
- Omega-3 supplements — may help some people, especially with eyelid-gland dryness
- Warm compress eye masks for eyelid-related dry eye
- Habit tips: blink more during screen time and take regular breaks, lower your screen below eye level, run a humidifier, wear sunglasses outdoors, and avoid direct drafts from fans and vents.
Treatments our pharmacist can prescribe
For your information only: in Ontario, our pharmacist can assess this condition and, when appropriate, prescribe from the medications listed below. This information is provided for educational purposes — it is not an offer to sell. These are treatments that require a pharmacist assessment, and the right option is chosen for you.
Ophthalmic lubricants: Carboxymethylcellulose, Dextran 70, Glycerin, Hydroxypropyl-guar (HP-guar), Hypromellose, Lanolin, Mineral oil, Petrolatum, Polyethylene glycol-400, Polyvinyl alcohol, Povidone (polyvinyl pyrrolidone), Propylene glycol
When to seek further care: See an eye-care provider if you have eye pain, vision changes, light sensitivity, an injury or foreign body, redness with discharge, or symptoms that don’t improve after a few days of regular lubricant use. Persistent or severe dry eye can need prescription anti-inflammatory drops (like cyclosporine or lifitegrast) that fall outside minor-ailment scope.