If you live with moderate to severe dry eye disease, you already know it’s not just an occasional irritation. It can affect the clarity of your vision, make it harder to get through a workday, and wear on your mood and energy over time. For many people, the bigger frustration isn’t just the symptoms — it’s not being able to afford the treatment that would actually help.
Cost is one of the most common reasons people delay or go without dry eye care. Specialized treatments aren’t always covered by insurance, and out-of-pocket costs can add up quickly. That barrier shouldn’t stand between you and clearer, more comfortable vision.
A resource worth knowing about
Eye Really Care, an independent organization focused on improving access to dry eye treatment, runs a program called the Dry Eye Compassion Program. It’s built around three goals:
- Helping subsidize treatment costs for patients facing financial hardship
- Supporting eye care professionals as they expand what dry eye services they can offer
- Advocating for policy changes that improve recognition of dry eye disease and access to care more broadly
In practical terms, this means some eye care professionals participate in the program by offering subsidized treatment to eligible patients, or by referring patients toward available support.
What this means for you
If cost has kept you from pursuing dry eye treatment, it’s worth raising with your eye care professional directly. Ask whether they participate in a program like this, or whether other financial support options are available through their practice. You may qualify for help you didn’t know existed.
Not sure where to start? Use the [mydryeye clinic locator] to find a certified dry eye specialist near you, and ask about your options when you book your appointment.
Dry eye disease is chronic and progressive, but it’s also manageable. Cost is a real barrier for many patients — it doesn’t have to be a permanent one.
Learn more about the Dry Eye Compassion Program directly at eyereallycare.ca.
