Important: This article is general information, not medical advice. Virtual care is not appropriate for every concern. For a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Symptoms are not a diagnosis
MyHealth Alberta says dry eyes can feel dry, hot, gritty, itchy, scratchy, irritated, or watery. Those sensations can have different contributors, so a public article cannot confirm dry eye or explain what an individual eye concern means.
Use the official resources for general information and seek individual assessment when you need answers about your own eyes.
Recognize seasonal and everyday context
Official Alberta sources identify dry weather, smoke, pollution, allergies, contact lenses, some medicines, and some health conditions as possible contributors. Alberta Health Services also notes that cold, dry winter air can dry the eyes.
These source facts provide context, not a diagnosis or a treatment plan. A list of possible contributors cannot tell a reader what is causing a particular symptom.
Prepare a focused eye-care question
Note when the concern began, whether it affects one or both eyes, changes in vision, contact-lens or smoke exposure if relevant, current medicines, and the question you want answered. Keep those health details for the clinician conversation rather than a public request form.
For people physically in Alberta with active AHCIP, a non-emergency AlbertaMD request starts clinic review. It is not a live wait, confirmed appointment, or guarantee of a callback, diagnosis, treatment, prescription, test, referral, or outcome.
Keep urgent eye concerns out of a routine request
MyHealth Alberta directs people to seek care for vision changes or symptoms that do not improve as expected. Alberta Health Services directs people with an eye emergency to prompt in-person care.
Call 911 or use emergency care for a possible medical emergency. This guide does not decide whether an individual eye concern is urgent.
Common patient questions.
Ready to start? For an eligible non-emergency concern, start your visit form when you are ready; the clinic reviews each request. Call 911 for an emergency or seek prompt professional assessment when a concern cannot wait.
Can watery or gritty eyes confirm dry eye?
No. MyHealth Alberta lists several sensations that can occur with dry eyes, but an article cannot confirm the cause of an individual eye concern.
Can Alberta winter weather affect eye dryness?
Alberta Health Services says cold, dry winter air can dry the eyes. That context does not identify the cause of a particular symptom.
When should I seek prompt eye care?
MyHealth Alberta directs people to seek care for vision changes or symptoms that do not improve as expected. Call 911 for a possible medical emergency.
Continue with related Alberta guides.
These patient guides add context on virtual care, care navigation, and next-step preparation.
Learn more from Alberta resources.
These public resources offer additional context on virtual-care preparation, safety, and professional standards.
Ready to see a doctor?
Start your visit now.
For non-emergency health concerns only. After a completed form during 8 AM–10 PM Mountain Time, a doctor usually calls within 60 minutes. This is not a live wait, confirmed appointment, or guaranteed callback; the clinic reviews each request before confirming an appropriate next step.