Dry Eyes, Eye Care Services

There’s no denying that our eyes are one of the most important parts of our body. Not only do they allow us to experience life in all its beauty, but they also provide a way to learn all about our surroundings. And while that’s the case, our eyes are also one of the most sensitive parts of our body, constantly needing protection. But what happens when they get itchy, painful, and uncomfortable?

What Is Dry Eye?

Dry eye is a common condition that occurs when tears don’t lubricate your eyes sufficiently. It usually happens when we can’t produce enough tears, or there is a chemical imbalance in the ones we manage to produce. As a result, our eyes become red, itchy, and stinging, causing a lot of discomfort. And if left untreated, dry eyes can damage our vision, leading to more serious problems.

How to Treat Dry Eye

Luckily, there are a variety of ways to treat dry eye, no matter how much the disease has advanced.

Artificial Tears

Artificial tears are eye drops you can use to lubricate dry eyes and maintain moisture on their surface. They usually contain active ingredients such as carboxymethylcellulose, glycerin, and polyvinyl alcohol, which creates a chemical structure similar to natural tears.

Even though artificial tears are effective against mild cases of dry eye, severe cases require additional treatment. If you find yourself using artificial tears only for the itchiness to come back in a matter of minutes, you should look for other treatments such as punctal occlusion.

Punctal Occlusion

Puncta are small openings located on the edge of our upper and lower eyelids, right next to the nose. They allow tears to drain out into the nose, which is why our nose runs when we cry. However, if you aren’t producing enough tears, you don’t want any to be drained away. As a result, a punctal occlusion will block the puncta and prevent tears from evacuating into our noses. The procedure is fast, painless, and takes place right inside the office, meaning that you will be back on your feet in no time.

The MiBoFlo Thermoflo

The MiBoFlo Thermoflo is a device that uses a thermoelectric heat pump to improve the function of the meibomian component of the tear film. In other words, it unclogs the meibomian membrane in order to allow tears and other secretions to run freely and lubricate the eyes. Additionally, MiBoFlo Thermoflo also prevents tears from evaporating too rapidly, drastically reducing the effects of dry eye.

Generally speaking, the procedure lasts 12 minutes per eye, in which the device massages the margins of the eyelids. And thanks to its adjustable timer, doctors can use the MiBoFlo Thermoflo to treat various levels of dry eye.

Final Thoughts

Overall, dry eye is one of the most common and uncomfortable eye conditions that we can experience. From redness to itchiness, dry eyes can cause a lot of discomfort and may even lead to permanent eye damage. However, with so many treatment options, it’s impossible not to find the right one for you and your eyes.