Eyes & mouth
Dry eye disease (xerophthalmia)
Dry eye is one of the most common reasons older adults visit a pharmacy, and the eye-drop aisle is genuinely confusing. Under Ontario's minor ailment program, a Murray Shore pharmacist in North York can assess your dry eye properly, check whether your medications or environment are feeding it, and match you to a suitable option instead of leaving you to guess.
Common signs
- Gritty, sandy, or burning feeling in the eyes
- Eyes that water excessively, which paradoxically is a common dry eye sign
- Blurry vision that clears when you blink
- Tired eyes after reading or screen time
- Stringy mucus in or around the eyes
- Discomfort that worsens in wind, dry indoor heat, or air conditioning
See a doctor instead if
- Eye pain, significant light sensitivity, or a persistent change in vision
- Redness concentrated around the coloured part of the eye
- Symptoms in a contact lens wearer with pain or discharge
- A foreign body sensation after an injury or grinding metal or wood
- Dry eyes together with a very dry mouth and joint pain, which needs physician workup
Any of these sound like you? Call 416-789-1800 and we will point you the right way — or reach Health811 (opens in a new tab) by calling 811.
How the assessment works
The pharmacist reviews your symptoms, your full medication list, since many common medications reduce tear production, and your daily environment such as screens, heating, and CPAP use. If it is uncomplicated dry eye, an ocular lubricant may be prescribed where appropriate, along with concrete habits that reduce strain. Anything touching vision, pain, or injury is referred to an eye doctor. OHIP covers the assessment.
Source 1Three ways to get started. Do it all from home, or come in.
Start online from your phone, call us, or walk in and ask for the pharmacist. No appointment is needed. When you start online, a pharmacist calls or messages you back to finish the assessment. Prefer email? Write to us.
Frequently asked questions
Plain answers from the pharmacy team. Tap a question to open it.
Why do my dry eyes keep watering?
When the eye surface is dry, it triggers reflex tears that are watery and drain quickly, so the eye floods without actually staying comfortable. Watering is one of the clues the pharmacist weighs during the assessment.
Could my medications be causing this?
Quite possibly. Antihistamines, certain blood pressure medications, some antidepressants, and others can reduce tear production. Bring your complete medication list, including anything over the counter, and we will review it line by line.
There are dozens of drops on the shelf. Does the assessment tell me which one?
That is a large part of its value. Drops differ in thickness, ingredients, and preservatives, and preservatives matter if you need drops many times a day. The pharmacist narrows it to what suits your pattern of symptoms.
Can I be assessed if I wear contact lenses?
Yes, and please say so up front. Lens wear changes both the likely causes and the options. If there is any pain or discharge with your lenses, we refer you to an eye care professional instead.
Does OHIP cover a dry eye assessment at a pharmacy?
Yes. Bring your health card and the assessment itself is free. You only pay for products you decide to purchase.
Do I need an appointment?
No, walk-ins are welcome at 3537 Bathurst Street. If you prefer a set time, call 416-789-1800 and we will hold a spot for you.
What should I bring to the assessment?
Your Ontario health card, your complete medication list including over-the-counter products and supplements, and any eye drops you are currently using, ideally the actual bottles. The drops you have already tried tell us a great deal.
Is dry eye more common as you get older?
Yes. Tear production naturally declines with age, and older adults are also more likely to take medications that dry the eyes further. That combination is why dry eye is one of the most common assessments we do for seniors.
Will I need a follow-up visit?
Often a brief one. Dry eye management usually involves trying an option for a few weeks and adjusting, so the pharmacist sets a check-in point and tells you what improvement should look like by then.
How is dry eye different from pink eye?
Pink eye usually involves redness with discharge or crusting and often starts in one eye, while dry eye is an ongoing gritty, burning discomfort, usually in both. Pink eye is its own pharmacist-assessable condition; see our pink eye page if that sounds closer to your symptoms.
Can I do anything at home to ease dry eye?
Yes: take regular screen breaks, blink deliberately during long reading sessions, use a humidifier in dry rooms, and direct car vents away from your face. The pharmacist tailors this list to your actual routine during the assessment.
Sources & further reading
Numbered references, linked from the sections above.
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416-789-1800 Call nowPrefer not to call? Email info@murrayshore.com or visit us at Bathurst & Baycrest.