I’m sure many patients who suffer from dry eye are advised to take artificial tears or lubricating eye drops to alleviate their symptoms. Decreased tear production or excessive tear evaporation are usually the reasons for dry eyes, but inflammation can also be the cause.
You can't see the inflammation, but this type of dry eye disease reduces tear production. Without enough tears, the film protecting the eye can break down, creating dry spots on the surface of the eye. This results in eyes feeling gritty, irritated, and many other symptoms associated with dry eye disease.
Restasis and Xiidra (branded as "eyelove" in advertisements) are prescription anti-inflammatory eye drops available in Canada that specifically targets dry eye due to inflammation. Please note, there are no generic versions of either one.
For more information, please see the sources below. The sources are US-based, but have the most information. For Canadian pricing and insurance coverage, please ask your local pharmacist.
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