Dry Eye Therapy

Tears are made up of three main ingredients: oil (called meibum), water, and mucin. Meibum creates a protective layer across the outside of the tear film, delaying evaporation, while mucin ensures that the tears spread evenly across the eye’s front surface. When tears evaporate too quickly, or are not uniformly distributed across the surface of the eye, it can lead to dry eyes.

The eyes rely on several different glands in and around the eyelid for tear production. The aging process, select medications, and even certain medical conditions can all inhibit tear production.

Inadequate tear volume can also be caused by environmental factors, such as wind, which can cause our tears to evaporate too quickly.

Before we can begin to treat your dry eyes, we need to determine the root cause by performing a complete dry eye assessment. These comprehensive tests are MOA approved and use advanced techniques to uncover the underlying reason for your dry eyes.

Once we know what is causing your dry eyes, we can begin treatment. Treatment options at Associates in Eyecare – Bristow include:

• Nutritional Supplements: Research has shown that healthy eyes rely, at least in part, on a healthy diet. Certain nutrients have even been found to reduce dry eye symptoms in some patients by reducing inflammation. Choosing foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, including nuts, fish, and green leafy vegetables can increase the amount of meibum your eyelids produce. A comprehensive nutritional study found that your overall eye health can be improved by consuming vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, zeaxanthin, and zinc.
• MiBo Thermoflo: MiBo Thermoflo is an in-office treatment for dry eyes caused by inadequate meibum production. This procedure uses soothing heat to warm the meibomian glands, allowing meibum to flow more easily, and providing instant and lasting relief.