Dry Eye Management in Cambridge, ON
Lasting relief for dry, irritated eyes.
Dry eye is a common, chronic condition where your eyes don’t make enough tears — or make tears that evaporate too quickly — leaving them gritty, burning, or tired. It’s treatable with a personalized plan from Dr. Sarah Fong, O.D., serving Cambridge and the surrounding Waterloo Region.
Book a Dry Eye AssessmentOr call (519) 622-1473 · 30 Main Street, Cambridge
Understanding the condition
What is dry eye disease?
Dry eye develops when your tear film — the thin, protective layer over the surface of your eye — stops doing its job. When that balance breaks down, the surface becomes irritated, which is what leads to that familiar gritty, burning feeling.
A healthy tear film has three layers
Outer lipid (oily) layer
Slows down how quickly your tears evaporate.
Middle aqueous (watery) layer
Nourishes the surface of the eye and washes away debris.
Inner mucin layer
Helps tears spread smoothly and evenly across the eye.
Signs to watch for
Common dry eye symptoms
- Gritty or burning eyes
- Fluctuating or blurry vision
- Light sensitivity
- Contact lens discomfort
- Watery, reflex-tearing eyes
- Stinging or redness
- Tired eyes by end of day
Care at Boardwalk
How we find what’s causing your dry eye
Rather than reaching straight for drops, we use the TOPCON MYAH to take a close look at your tear film — how quickly your tears break down and the health of the oil glands along your eyelids — so we can pinpoint what is actually driving your dry eye instead of guessing.
Reading the full picture
We combine your scan results with your symptoms, history, and daily routine to identify the type of dry eye you have — not just treat it blindly.
A personalized treatment plan
Dry eye is rarely one-size-fits-all. Dr. Fong builds a plan around your specific type of dry eye, your symptoms, and your daily routine.
Ongoing follow-up & support
Dry eye is a chronic condition that responds best to consistent care. We track your progress over time and adjust the plan as your eyes respond.
Treatment & management
Treatment matched to your dry eye
From simple lifestyle adjustments to advanced clinical care, your plan is built around how your eyes are actually affected.
Simple, everyday relief
- Over-the-counter artificial tears
- Lifestyle adjustments — blink breaks, screen habits, a humidifier
- Omega-3 supplements (fish or flax oil)
Longer-lasting comfort
- Preservative-free artificial tears with added viscosity
- Lipid- or hyaluronic-acid-based formulations
- Punctal plugs to help retain your natural tears
Targeted clinical treatment
- Prescription anti-inflammatory drops
- Cyclosporine (Restasis) or lifitegrast (Xiidra)
- Advanced in-office treatments where appropriate
Omega-3 nutraceuticals can support tear stability alongside any of these approaches. Dr. Fong will recommend what fits your specific type of dry eye.
Should you get checked?
Who should consider a dry eye assessment
Dry eye can affect anyone, but some people are more likely to develop it than others.
Lots of screen time
Long hours on computers and phones reduce how often you blink, leaving eyes dry and tired by the end of the day.
Contact lens wearers
Contacts can make existing dryness more noticeable and uncomfortable, especially later in the day.
Hormonal changes
Pregnancy, menopause, and other hormonal shifts are a common and often-overlooked contributor to dry eye.
Getting older
Tear production naturally declines with age, so dry eye becomes more common as we get into our 50s and beyond.
Dry or windy environments
Wind, dry indoor air, dust, and allergens all pull moisture from the surface of the eye and worsen symptoms.
Certain medications & conditions
Some medications and health conditions can reduce tear production or change tear quality, increasing dry eye risk.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Next Step
Book a dry eye assessment
If dry, gritty, or tired eyes are part of your day, Dr. Fong can help you understand why — and what will actually bring relief. Get a clear assessment and a plan built around your eyes.
Book a Dry Eye Assessment