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Do I have dry eye?

If you’re not sure here are the various symptoms associated with dryness:

Burning, itching, watering, sandy-gritty feeling, poking sensation, pressure around the eyes and headaches.

What are the causes of dryness today?

Environment: air quality, allergens, temperature changes, air movement from fans and AC.

Diet:  what you eat on a normal basis determines the quality of oil produced by the eyelids

Medications:  Most prescription and over the counter medications will dry the eye

Eye Strain:  Increased use of computers, tablets or cell phones (which decreases blinking)

What is the most common form of dry eye?

Most cases are classified as evaporative dryness.  This means your eye has plenty of moisture it just dries up too quickly.  If the eyes are blinking less, the moisture evaporates and the oil glands begin to clog.  If the glands become clogged then chronic dryness begins.

The Bad news about the oil glands: once the oil glands become clogged and nothing is done to remedy it, the oil will convert from liquid to a solid and symptoms become chronic.  If it continues to remain as a solid, it will eventually scar the oil gland causing persistent more severe dryness.  Traditional treatment with eyedrops does not fix the problem.

Now for the good news:  There is finally a treatment that converts the oil back to a liquid form, therefore reducing your symptoms.  This affordable treatment is called MiBo Thermoflo.

The MiBo Thermoflo supplies continuous controlled heat that is applied to the outer skin of the eye lids along with ultrasound gel for a gentle massage.  The heat is absorbed deep into the tissue and breaks down the hardened oils in the Meibomian glands.*  For a video demo visit www.mibomedicalgroup.com/superior-patient-care/

Where is this treatment available?

Prior to last month you would have to travel to Los Angeles for treatment.  It is now available at Reedley Optometric Eyecare Center.  They are the only location in the central valley with this treatment.  Call for details at (559) 638-2246 and ask about our October special.

*courtesy of MiboMedicalGroup