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Dry Eye

Standing in the drops aisle guessing between twenty bottles of artificial tears? A licensed pharmacist at our Orleans pharmacy can assess your dry eye, figure out which type you have, and match you to the right product — from daytime drops to overnight gels — plus the habit changes that actually move the needle. Free with your Ontario health card.

Dry eye happens when your eyes don't make enough tears, or the tears evaporate too quickly. It feels like grittiness, burning, or a 'something's in my eye' sensation — and, confusingly, it can even cause watery reflex tearing.

Why your eyes are dry

There are two overlapping mechanisms: not enough tear production, or tears that evaporate too fast (often from blocked eyelid oil glands). Symptoms usually affect both eyes, worsen through the day, and are aggravated by screen use, wind, dry indoor air, and contact lenses. It's very common with age — and Ottawa's long heating season makes winter indoor air a major culprit. Which mechanism dominates changes which product will help, from watery daytime drops to lipid-based formulas and warm compresses.

Dry eye is one of the most common eye complaints, particularly in adults over 50, heavy screen users, and contact lens wearers. If you use drops more than four times a day, switch to preservative-free single-use vials — preservatives themselves can irritate the eye surface.

Common signs and symptoms

Grittiness, burning, or stinging in both eyes
A 'something's-in-my-eye' foreign body sensation
Symptoms that worsen through the day or with screen time
Blurry vision that clears with blinking
Paradoxical watering (reflex tearing)

Treatments our Orleans 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, Propylene glycol

Self-care that helps

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
Warm compress eye masks for eyelid-gland (evaporative) dry eye
Blink breaks during screen time, screen below eye level, humidifier at home, sunglasses outdoors

Browse related over-the-counter options in our Dry Eye self-care collection, or ask us in store — our pharmacists will point you to what actually helps.

How the assessment works

1. Walk in or callNo appointment or referral needed. Drop by our pharmacy on St-Joseph Blvd in Orleans during opening hours, or call ahead.

2. Private consultationA licensed pharmacist reviews your symptoms, health history and medications in a short, private assessment.

3. Prescription in handIf appropriate, we prescribe and fill your treatment on the spot — you leave with what you need.

Frequently asked questions

Aren't all artificial tears the same?

No — viscosity, lipid content, and preservatives vary a lot. Watery drops suit mild daytime symptoms; gels last longer but blur vision; lipid-based drops target evaporative dry eye; preservative-free formats matter for frequent users. Matching the drop to your dry eye type is most of the battle.

Is screen time really causing my dry eye?

It's a major contributor — we blink up to 60% less when staring at screens, and incomplete blinks let tears evaporate. The 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds) plus deliberate full blinks makes a measurable difference.

Can I keep wearing contact lenses?

Often yes, with adjustments — lens-compatible rewetting drops, shorter wear times, or a lens material change. If dryness persists, take a lens holiday and get assessed.

Is the pharmacist assessment covered by OHIP?

Yes. The minor ailment assessment is free with a valid Ontario health card. You only pay for the medication itself if one is prescribed, and that is often covered by your drug plan.

Do I need an appointment at your Orleans pharmacy?

No. Walk-ins are welcome during all pharmacy hours — Monday to Friday 9:00 AM–6:00 PM and Saturday 9:00 AM–3:00 PM. You can also call 613-824-3111 ahead of your visit.

When to see a doctor instead: 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 that fall outside minor-ailment scope.

Tired of tired, gritty eyes?

Skip the walk-in clinic wait. Our Orleans pharmacists assess and prescribe for dry eye — free with your Ontario health card.

Call 613 · 824 · 3111 Hours & directions

Serving Orleans and east Ottawa — Fallingbrook, Avalon, Chapel Hill, Queenswood Heights, Blackburn Hamlet, Navan & Cumberland. 2746 St-Joseph Blvd, Unit 100, Orleans, ON K1C 1G5.