Dry eye is one of the most under-diagnosed ocular diseases, and yet it is the most common reason
why patients go see their ​eye care professional.​

​Dry eye is a condition in which a person doesn't have enough quality tears to lubricate and nourish the eye. Tears are necessary for maintaining the health of the front surface of the eye and for providing clear vision. Dry eye is a common and often chronic problem, particularly in older adults.

With each blink of the eyelids, tears spread across the front surface of the eye, known as the cornea. Tears provide lubrication, reduce the risk of eye infection, wash away foreign matter in the eye, and keep the surface of the eyes smooth and clear. Excess tears in the eyes flow into small drainage ducts in the inner corners of the eyelids, which drain into the back of the nose. Dry eyes can occur when tear production and drainage is not in balance.

People with dry eyes either do not produce enough tears or their tears are of a poor quality

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What causes dry eyes

​Dry eyes can develop for many reasons, including:

• Age. Dry eyes are a part of the natural aging process. The majority of people over age 65 experience some symptoms of dry eyes.
  
  
• Gender. Women are more likely to develop dry eyes due to hormonal changes caused by pregnancy, the use of oral contraceptives and menopause.
  
  
• Medications. Certain medicines, including antihistamines, decongestants, blood pressure medications and antidepressants, can reduce tear production.
  
  
• Medical conditions. People with rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and thyroid problems are more likely to have symptoms of dry eyes. Also, problems with inflammation of the eyelids (blepharitis), inflammation of the surfaces of the eye, or the inward or outward turning of eyelids can cause dry eyes to develop.
  
  
• Environmental conditions. Exposure to smoke, wind and dry climates can increase tear evaporation resulting in dry eye symptoms. Failure to blink regularly, such as when staring at a computer screen for long periods of time, can also contribute to drying of the eyes.
  
  
• Other factors. Long-term use of contact lenses can be a factor in the development of dry eyes. Refractive eye surgeries, such as LASIK, can decrease tear production and contribute to dry eyes.

Do you have any of these symptoms?

Put a check mark next to the symptoms you have experienced: 
Blurry vision
Redness
Burning
Itching
Light sensitivity
Excessive tearing / watery eyes
Tired eyes / eye fatigue
Stringy mucous in or around the eyes
Foreign body sensation
Contact lens discomfort
Scratchy, feeling of sand or grit in eye

How we can help

Eye Care Riviera offers a therapeutic device for the treatment of dry eyes. It employs a proprietary thermoelectric heat pump designed to increase the production of the oil glands in the eye lids. These glands are called the meibomian glands.  The meibomian glands are "warmed up" to help them start to secrete the oil again. The device we use is the MiBoFloThermoflo®

Here is a picture of an eye lid showing clogged meibomian glands.  If these glands are clogged, the eye becomes very dry. 

Make an appointment to try the  MiBoFloThermoflo® on your dry eyes.