Dry eyes and weepy eyes

What are dry eyes?

Dry eyes are caused by insufficient tear production or rapid tear evaporation. This may cause your eyes to burn or sting, secrete mucus or even become red. Vision may occasionally be blurred as a result and you might suffer from light sensitivity. Dry eyes can have an enormous effect on your daily life. Fortunately, there are many painless treatments that will quickly make you comfortable again.

Symptoms of dry eyes

Red eyes
Pain
Tearing eyes
Tired eyes
Less sharp vision

Itching or a gritty sensation in your eyes
Light sensitivity
Difficulty wearing contact lenses
Irritation by wind, smoke, etc.
Blurred vision

Treatment of dry eyes

It is important to understand that there is no quick, ready-made solution. Only with a thorough and long-term treatment good results can be achieved. There is a good chance that various methods will be used simultaneously during your treatment.

As a recognised ‘dry-eye clinic’, we specialise in treating dry eyes. Our ophthalmologists will propose the most suitable therapies.

Artificial tears

Drops or ‘artificial tears’ can increase the quantity of tears. Artificial tears are a supplement to your own tears and are often prescribed in combination with another treatment.

Tixel

In this treatment, thermo-mechanical ablation is used, which quickly and safely conducts thermal energy to the skin around the eyes. This will increase the lubrication of the eyes and reduce evaporation.

Punctal plugs

If insufficient tears are produced or if the tears are of inadequate quality, the tear drainage channel in the lower eyelid is closed up with a ‘plug’, so that the tears remain in the eye and offer better lubrication. The ‘punctal plug’ looks like a sort of small champagne cork and is not visible in the eye.

LipiFlow

Clogged meibomian glands in your eyelids are often the cause of dry eyes. The LipiFlow® System uses a patented algorithm of massage and heat in order to remove the blockage and thereby restore the glands’ function.

Heated mask and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

IPL is a sophisticated form of light therapy. The warm light acts deeply on the oily meibomian glands, increasing the fluidity of the secretion and improving circulation. This has an anti-inflammatory function on the glands and eyelids. Research indicates that treatment with intense light is successful in 90% of patients.

MiBo Thermoflo

MiBo Thermoflo is a painless therapeutic treatment for dry eyes that uses controlled heat. The heat is absorbed deep into the meibomian gland tissue, as a result of which the hardened lipids in the glands become liquid again. This not only improves the thickness but also the quality of the lipid layer of the tear film, which is essential for healthy tear function and a healthy tear film.

Blephasteam

The Blephasteam goggles were developed in order to safely warm up to 40°C the glands in the eyelids that produce the lipid layer of the tear film. In the process, the clogged glands are unblocked through pressure and massage.

Food supplements

A healthy tear film ensures that your eyes don’t dry out and you can see sharply at all times. The lower layer, a thin layer of oil, is produced by the meibomian glands and protects the tears against evaporation. If these glands produce too little oil, your tears can easily dry up and you can experience blurred vision, or tired or tearing eyes. An Omega 3 food supplement (fish oil) can help. It increases the quantity of oil and improves the quality of the oil produced by the meibomian glands.

Treatment of dry eyes

We like to take the time to analyse how best to treat your dry eyes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes dry eyes?

Dry eyes are caused by insufficient tear production, poor tear quality, or tears evaporating too quickly from the eye surface. Common causes include aging, hormonal changes (such as menopause or pregnancy), air conditioning, prolonged computer use, certain medications, and contact lenses. Blocked meibomian glands along the eyelid margins can also cause dry eyes.

What are the symptoms of dry eyes and can they cause blurred vision?

Yes, dry eyes can cause fluctuating blurred vision. Other common symptoms include a burning or stinging sensation, red eyes, light sensitivity, tired eyes, itching or a gritty feeling, and discomfort when wearing contact lenses. At Medipolis Eye Center, advanced diagnostic equipment can precisely determine which type of dry eyes you have.

What causes watery eyes and can dry eyes be the reason?

Yes, watery eyes are often actually a symptom of dry eyes. When the meibomian glands produce too little oil, tears evaporate too quickly and the eyes may start watering as a reaction. Watery eyes become more common as we age because the tear glands become less effective. Strong airflow, computer use, and contact lenses can also play a role.

What can you do about dry eyes and which treatments are available?

There are several painless treatments available for dry eyes, but there is no quick fix. Medipolis Eye Center offers treatments such as artificial tears, LipiFlow (massage and heating of blocked meibomian glands), IPL light therapy (with a 90% success rate), Tixel, MiBo Thermoflo, and punctum plugs. In many cases, multiple treatment methods are combined for the best results.

Do eye drops help with dry eyes and which ones are the best?

Artificial tears are the most commonly used eye drops for dry eyes. They do not cure dry eyes, but they supplement your natural tears. Different types of artificial tears are available, each targeting specific symptoms. The eye specialists at Medipolis prescribe the artificial tears that are best suited to your type of dry eyes. In addition, our doctors recommend taking Omega-3 supplements as supportive therapy.