You may not realize how bad your dry eyes are until you visit an optometrist for a vision exam. Most people with dry eyes have a condition called MGD. If you have chronically dry eyes caused by MGD, ask our eye doctors at Overlake EyeCare in Bellevue about the MiBoFlo procedure, sometimes called MiBo Thermaflo. This procedure could help your dry eyes feel better by treating the root cause.
What is MGD?
MGD is also called meibomian gland dysfunction and is seen in 86 percent of people with dry eyes. This condition occurs when the meibomian gland does not secrete enough meibum oil to protect your tears from evaporating too quickly. Without enough meibum in your tears, you will experience the symptoms of dry eye—sensitivity to light, redness, blurred vision, burning or gritty sensation, and eye fatigue. This condition needs more than artificial tear drops for a permanent solution. That's why we offer the MiBo Thermaflo as a long-lasting option for those with MGD.
MGD Treatment
The exact treatment you receive for meibomian gland dysfunction depends on the cause. If an infection or localized inflammation caused the problem, you may need antibiotics or steroids. If our eye doctor cannot identify a specific cause and wants to create a long-lasting solution, you may be a candidate for heat therapy. This form of treatment opens the ducts that produce meibum. Our eye doctors use MiBoFlo for our choice of heat therapy. This treatment has several advantages over other forms of heat therapy.
What is MiBoFlo?
The MiBo Thermaflo treatment uses 108-degree heat applied only to the outside of your eyelid. This treatment has a lower cost compared to heat treatments, is only moderately invasive, and does not cause corneal distortion.
Make an Appointment at our Bellevue Office
If you have chronically dry eyes, schedule a visit with one of our eye doctors at Overlake EyeCare in Bellevue. Our optometrists and ophthalmologists can help identify the cause of your dry eyes and provide the treatment you need, including MiBo Thermaflo heat treatment.
To make an appointment or to get answers to any of your questions, call us at (425) 643-2020.
Dry Eye Treatment at Overlake EyeCare in Bellevue, WA
Do You Suffer from Dry Eyes?
Every time you blink, tears are spread across the front surface of the eye. Your eyes depend on a flow of tears to provide constant moisture and lubrication to maintain eye health and comfort. When the volume or consistency of the tear system becomes imbalanced, you might experience dry eyes.
When tears do not adequately lubricate the eye, a person may endure:
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Sensitivity to light
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Blurred vision
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Burning sensation
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Discomfort in windy or dry conditions
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A gritty sensation
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Redness
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Eye Fatigue
Although the symptoms often start as minor inconveniences, the effects of dry eye are progressive and can worsen over time, potentially leading to severe discomfort or blurred vision.
Not Enough Tears?
Tears are necessary for your overall eye health. Dry Eye occurs when the eyes do not produce sufficient tears properly or the tears evaporate too quickly. Without proper treatment, inadequate tear production can make daily activities frustrating, affecting your personal and professional life, from reading or watching TV, to driving or working on the computer.
The most common form of Dry Eye is the Evaporative form, which affects 8 out of every 10 dry eye cases (86%). This indicates a shortage of oil on the surface of your tears, leading them to evaporate faster than normal. This shortage of tear oil is caused by a blockage in your eyelid (Meibomian) glands and is referred to as Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)
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Overlake EyeCare's Dry Eye Center in Bellevue WA is excited to announce the addition of Mibo ThermoFlo to their tool chest for helping Dry Eye Patients.
The main source of tear-film trouble is the Meibomian gland. If these glands malfunction, the lipid layer may be reduced, allowing rapid evaporation of the tear complex. Furthermore, if the secretions from the Meibomian glands become trapped inside the glands, inflammation and bacteria can follow, worsening the problem.
The MiBo Thermoflo® is a medical device offering a new alternative therapy for dry eyes. It gently massages the outer eyelids with continuous controlled heat. This proprietary heating system helps liquify the secretions of the meibomian gland so it produces thinner, clearer oils resulting in a healthier tear film.
Overlake EyeCare is happy to offer this new treatment for dry eyes. Call 425-643-2020 for more information.
You can also reach us at email: [email protected]
