How To Combat Dry Eyes In Autumn And Winter
10 September 2019
Around 20% of people in the UK suffer from dry eye syndrome.
Winter is coming and if you suffer with dry eye syndrome that can only mean one thing…the unwanted comeback of itchy and gritty eyes!
Dry eye syndrome is a condition in which an individual does not produce enough quality tears to lubricate and nourish the eyes.
Tears are vital for the overall health of the eyes. Every time we blink, a layer of tears is spread over the surface of the eye, much like a protective coating. This coating consists of three layers: aqueous (water), mucus, and lipid (oil). Dry Eye Syndrome occurs when these three layers become out of balance.
Dry eye syndrome is at its worst during colder seasons due to the combination of cold winds, indoor heating and lack of moisture in the air. Central heating is one of the main culprits, because it speeds up evaporation of the eyes’ moisture. This then leads to the unpleasant feeling of itchy, sore and gritty eyes. 
What causes dry eyes?
- Hormonal changes - taking the Pill, pregnancy or menopause.
- Pre-existing conditions like blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids), contact dermatitis, allergic conjunctivitis, previous eye trauma.
- Excessive contact lens use.
- Side effects from certain medications such as antihistamines, or beta-blockers.
- Excessive exposure to extreme climates, for example air conditioning, central heating smoke, or wind.
- Looking at a screen for too long with no break.
- Age. Tear production tends to diminish as you get older.
What are the symptoms of dry eyes?
Funnily enough, dry eye syndrome can cause the eyes to water excessively. This happens because the eyes are working over time to produce extra tears, to combat the symptoms of the condition.
Those who experience dry eyes may feel that their eyes are often:
- Itchy
- Sore
- Gritty
- Red
- Watery
- Sensitive to light
Is there a treatment for dry eyes?
The discomfort of dry eyes is not something people have to live with. MiBo Thermoflo is a treatment used by Ultralase to relieve the symptoms of dry eye syndrome.
MiBo Thermoflo is a quick, non-invasive and painless procedure which provides patients with instant relief. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to hear that the procedure itself lasts for only 12 minutes per eye. A course of 3 or 4 treatments is usually required but this will be decided by the specialist during consultation.
During the procedure, ultrasound gel is applied to closed eyes. The upper and lower lids are then gently massaged using a MiBo eye pad.
This eye pad is heated to a comfortable temperature to encourage the glands around the eyes to produce more oil. The sensation is often described as comforting.
Results are felt almost immediate, with no side effects. The eyes will feel nice and moist following each treatment.
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