Guildford Eye Clinic · Dry eye · Surrey, BC
Burning, gritty, watery, or tired eyes that get worse on screens are often dry eye. At Guildford Eye Clinic we find the cause, not just the symptom, and build a treatment plan that fits your eyes and your day. Inside Specsavers Guildford Town Centre.
What it feels like
Dry eye does not always feel dry. Common signs include burning or stinging, a gritty or sandy feeling, redness, tired eyes by the end of the day, blurry vision that clears when you blink, watery eyes, and discomfort with contact lenses.
Watery eyes can be dry eye too. When the surface of the eye is irritated, it can produce a flood of tears that do not stay on the eye, so it feels wet and dry at the same time.
Why it happens
We blink far less when we look at screens, which lets the tear film dry out. Age, contact lens wear, certain medications, the dry indoor air of our climate, and blocked oil glands along the eyelids can all play a part.
Most dry eye comes down to the oil glands in the eyelids not working well, so the tears evaporate too fast. Finding which cause is driving your symptoms is what lets us treat it properly.
How we help
We examine your tear film, eyelids, and the oil glands, and check the health of the eye surface, so the treatment targets the actual cause.
Simple steps like warm compresses, lid hygiene, the right artificial tears, and screen habits make a big difference for many patients.
When needed, we offer prescription treatments to calm inflammation and help your eyes make and hold a healthier tear film.
If contact lenses feel dry, we look at the fit and the lens material so you can wear them comfortably again.
Cost and coverage
A comprehensive adult eye exam is $99, with OCT retinal imaging included. A medically necessary visit, which can include a significant dry eye problem, is covered by MSP, and a full eye exam is covered yearly by MSP for children 18 and under and seniors 65 and over. We direct bill most insurance plans and explain any costs clearly first.
Not sure if your eyes are dry or something else is going on? A comprehensive eye exam is the best place to start.
Good to know
Watery eyes are a very common sign of dry eye. When the eye surface is irritated, it can release a burst of tears that do not coat the eye well, so your eyes feel watery and uncomfortable at the same time. Treating the underlying dryness usually settles the watering.
Yes. We blink much less when looking at screens, which lets the tear film dry out and causes burning, grittiness, and blur that clears when you blink. Regular breaks and the right treatment help a lot.
A medically necessary eye visit, which can include a significant dry eye problem, is covered by MSP for all ages. A full eye exam is covered yearly by MSP for children 18 and under and seniors 65 and over. We bill MSP directly where it applies and direct bill most insurance plans.
Yes. If your contacts feel dry or uncomfortable, we look at the fit, the lens material, and the health of your eye surface, and adjust the plan so you can wear lenses comfortably.
Related services
Same-day urgent care when a doctor is available. Learn more.
We find the cause and treat it, often same day. Learn more.
Pain, discharge, or swelling checked promptly. Learn more.
Relief starts with the right diagnosis
We find the cause and build a plan that fits. OCT included, $99 for adults, covered yearly by MSP for kids and seniors. Book online any time, or call (604) 229-9627.
Book your eye exam online