What is MiBo Thermoflo?

Nearly millions of people around the globe are suffering from chronic dry eye syndrome—and the number is only growing.

One of the most common complaints we get from patients is dry eye syndrome. It occurs when eyes are not properly lubricated due to insufficient tear production, blocked glands, or unbalanced tear composition. If you’re suffering from red, irritated, and scratchy eyes, MiBo Thermoflo can offer you the relief you seek.

What is Mibo Thermoflo?

The MiBo Thermoflo is a therapeutic device that delivers consistent and comfortable heat to the meibomian glands in the eyelids. These glands produce the vital oil for the tears, and the heat helps to unblock the glands to allow the easy flow of oils from the eyelid into the tears. The oils in the tears help improve the tear film and to preserve tears by limiting tear evaporation.

What to Expect During MiBo Thermoflo Treatment

To help manage dry eye symptoms, MiBo therapy uses thermoelectric radiation. The MiBo eye pads emit a therapeutic temperature of 108 degrees, which helps to liquefy the oils in your tears and also unblocks the oil-producing glands in the eyelids, enhancing the function of the meibomian glands.

If you wear contact lenses and makeup, you will be asked to remove them before starting the treatment to ensure proper heat absorption. An ultrasound gel will be applied to the MiBo eye pads, which will be placed on your eyelids. While your eyes are closed, you may feel a slight pressure as your eyelids are massaged with the eye pads. The session usually lasts for about 8 minutes per eye.

Once the MiBo procedure is completed, your eye doctor will inspect your glands. To ensure that your glands are clear and secreting clear lipids, they may need to express the meibomian glands.

MiBo Thermoflo Is A Safe Alternative to Other Treatments

Studies have found MiBo Thermoflo to be effective in treating meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and other ocular surface problems. It is less invasive than other treatments for dry eye problems and is low risk for corneal distortions, a common complication with other eyelid therapies.

If you suffer from dry eye syndrome or other ocular surface diseases, MiBo Thermoflo may be an effective treatment option. Contact Thompson Family Optometry to learn more and to schedule to your appointment.

Our practice serves patients from Brampton, Milton, Mississauga, and Etobicoke, Ontario and surrounding communities.

Autologous Serum Eye Drops for Severe Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry eye syndrome is a chronic lack of moisture in the eye caused by insufficient tears or poor tear quality. It can lead to irritation and, left untreated, can damage your corneas. While artificial tears and lubricating drops help the majority of patients, others continue to search for relief, especially if their dry eye syndrome is severe. Autologous serum eye drops (ASED) are a possible treatment for intransigent cases of dry eye.

What are Autologous Serum Eye Drops?

Autologous means that the donor and the recipient are the same person. In this case, Autologous Serum Eye Drops (ASED) are made from a patient’s own blood. These drops are found to be highly effective and well-tolerated. They consist of ingredients that artificial tears can’t replicate. They promote healthy growth and healing of the ocular surface ( the cornea) and contain antibodies, albumin, Vitamin A, and special growth factors important for healthy eyes known as epidermal growth factors.

ASEDs are not tear substitutes and are often used alongside other dry eye treatments such as artificial tears, lubricating eye drops and in-office treatments provided by some optometrists for dry eye.

How are Autologous Serum Eye Drops Made?

Autologous serum eye drops are created by drawing a very small amount of your blood into a sterile tube and allowing the blood to clot for at least 10 hours.

The blood is then spun for 15 minutes so the serum is separated. The blood serum is collected, combined with sterile saline and divided into several small dropper bottles. The serum to saline ratio varies according to your doctor’s assessment of the severity of your dry eye. The serum is not red; it is clear, like other eye drops.

This process takes up to three hours. You usually receive several months’ supply of drops, depending on your dosing frequency.

The prepared eye drops are placed in the freezer to maintain optimal freshness and remove the risk of harmful microorganisms growing for up to 6 months.

The serum drops create a lubricating fluid rich in certain nutrients and growth factors that may be missing in very dry eyes.

What Do Autologous Serum Eye Drops Cost?

ASED are not FDA approved because they are a blood product and not a pharmaceutical; most health insurance policies do not cover the treatment. Medications that have attained FDA approval receive government and health insurance funding to lower their cost to patients. For this reason, ASED are priced higher than traditional eye drops, but are considered life-changing for many patients.

How Long Does it Take to Notice Improvement?

Most patients experience a noticeable reduction of their dry eye symptoms within 2 weeks of starting ASED therapy.

If you suffer from dry eye syndrome, and have been frustrated trying to find relief for dry eye, we recommend you consider ASED. Contact Thompson Family Optometry to learn more about ASED and how they can change the way you see.

Our practice serves patients from Brampton, Milton, Mississauga, and Etobicoke, Ontario and surrounding communities.

REFERENCES:

• https://www.reviewofoptometry.com/article/rethink-autologous-serum
• https://www.aaojournal.org/article/S0161-6420(19)31946-3/fulltext

Vitamins and Foods That Relieve Dry Eye Syndrome

Approximately 16 million Americans have dry eye syndrome. Symptoms of dry eye—other than the obvious eye dryness—include grittiness, burning, irritation and difficulty reading or looking at a screen for long periods of time. Studies have shown that certain foods help the eyes stay properly hydrated.

Specific vitamins, fatty acids and trace elements are good not only for our overall health but also for our tear film.

Omega Fatty Acids For Dry Eye

Omega fatty acids are responsible for forming the stabilizing oil layer in the tear film. If this outer layer of the lubricating film is disrupted, it can lead to dry eye symptoms like burning, redness and itchiness. In addition, omega fatty acids have an anti-inflammatory effect.

Foods high in omega fatty acids include:

• Fish. cod, mackerel, salmon, trout
• Meat. red meat, pork liver
• Oils. canola oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, walnut oil,
• Other animal products. cheese, eggs

Vitamins for Dry Eye

Below is a list of vitamins that help with dry eye and boosts general eye health.

• Vitamin A (retinol) helps protect the surface of the eye. Vitamin A deficiency, which usually occurs in developing countries, can cause an increase in dry eye. By adding foods rich in Vitamin A, like carrots, pumpkins, apricots, spinach, tomatoes, dairy products and liver, you can prevent the development of this condition.
• Vitamin B2 protects your eyes from cell damage. It is found in broccoli, avocados, dairy products and whole-grain products.
• Vitamin B6 is needed for a healthy tear film. Foods such as kale, potatoes, goose, mackerel, salmon and sardines contain high doses of vitamin B6.
• Vitamin B12 is also important for lubricating the eyes. It’s typically found in mackerel, beef liver, calf’s liver and pork liver. It is also found in dairy products and eggs, though in smaller amounts.
• Vitamin C protects against oxidative stress and plays an important role in maintaining a functioning tear film. It can be found in peppers, broccoli, rosehip, acerola berries and brussels sprouts.
• Vitamin E is necessary to protect your eyes against cell damage as well as dry eye. This vitamin is prominently found in sunflower oil, mackerel, wheat germ oil, peppers, spinach, mangos and redcurrants.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin

Lutein and zeaxanthin are antioxidants that help cells function correctly and stay healthy. They help prevent many chronic eye diseases, including dry eye syndrome. Foods rich in these antioxidants include leafy greens like romaine lettuce, kale and spinach. They are also available as supplements.

Zinc for Eye Health

Zinc plays an important role in keeping your eyes healthy. This mineral is responsible for getting vitamin A from your liver to your retina and produces melanin, a pigment that protects your eyes. Dairy, whole grains, nuts, sweetcorn, peas and lentils are all excellent sources of zinc.

Drink Water to Hydrate Your Eyes

Lastly, drink water. While it may seem obvious, many of us forget to drink enough water. Staying hydrated can help improve eye comfort and is vital for your kidneys, bowels and radiant-looking skin.

Eating healthy and staying hydrated helps to ensure your eyes get the vitamins and minerals they need. So go ahead and protect your vision, improve eye health and relieve your dry eye symptoms by adding these nutrients to your diet. However, remember to always consult your eye doctor before taking any supplements.

Contact Thompson Family Optometry to learn more and to explore our effective and lasting treatments to relieve your dry eyes so you can live your best life.

Our practice serves patients from Brampton, Milton, Mississauga, and Etobicoke, Ontario and surrounding communities.

Eye Drops for Dry Eyes: Why You Should See Your Eye Doctor

Effectively managing a health condition like dry eye syndrome (DES) requires a thorough diagnostic and treatment process. So why do so many people find themselves pacing up and down the eye drop aisle at their local drug store, searching for yet another eye drop to ease their symptoms?

Knowing exactly what’s causing your symptoms and how to treat the condition at its source is the only way to attain long-lasting relief. At Thompson Family Optometry, we do more than just treat the symptoms — we determine the underlying cause of your DES and get to the root of the issue.

Do You Have Dry Eye Syndrome?

DES is a progressive eye condition that affects over 20 million North Americans annually. It is caused by either poor tear quality or insufficient tears.

The most common cause of poor tear quality is a condition called Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), a blockage of the meibomian glands — the tiny glands at the edge of the eyelids that secrete an oily film into your tears.

Some medical conditions that can cause decreased tear production include Sjogren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, thyroid conditions, and lupus. Aging and a vitamin A deficiency can also lower tear production.

Symptoms of DES range from mildly uncomfortable to debilitating, and can include:

• Red eyes
• Dry eyes
• Painful or irritated eyes
• Watery eyes
• Light sensitivity
• Itchy eyes
• Fatigued eyes
• Burning eyes
• Blurred vision

DES can make it difficult for the eye to flush out foreign bodies, so sand, grit and allergens sometimes get stuck in the eye.

Why Do People Use Over-the-Counter (OTC) Eye Drops?

Given how uncomfortable dry eye symptoms can be, it’s no surprise that dry eye sufferers seek relief using over-the-counter drops. People with DES may not realize that they should visit their eye doctor rather than seek solutions on their own.

Some eye doctors recommend using OTC eye drops to temporarily treat mild symptoms until the condition naturally heals. For example, after an eye injury or surgery, many find that lubricating eye drops soothe the eyes and provide moisture.

But not all eye drops are created equal. People with mild to moderate cases of DES who seek relief from OTC solutions may be choosing the wrong types of drops or dosage for their eyes.

The three main categories of non-prescription eye drops are:

• Lubricating eye drops/artificial tears
• Antihistamine eye drops
• Redness-reducing eye drops

Masking a mild case of DES by using redness-reducing eye drops (also called decongestant eye drops) won’t address the underlying source of the redness. In fact, decongestant eye drops have been shown to exacerbate DES symptoms in the long run.

What’s more, your eyes can eventually become [desensitized] to the effects of OTC eye drops after repeated use. This eventually leads people back to the drugstore in search of even stronger eye drops, perpetuating the never-ending “eye drop cycle.”

End the Vicious Eye Drop Cycle

Experiencing continual eye irritation indicates the need for professional eye care. An optometrist will isolate the cause of your DES and use their expertise to find the most effective treatment for lasting relief.

Even if you have a mild case of dry eye syndrome, now is the perfect time to start treatment, before symptoms worsen. If you’ve sought help in the past but were told nothing else could be done to treat your eye condition, speak with Dr. Rick Thompson and Dr. Greg Thompson regarding the latest and most effective dry eye treatments.

If you’re ready to end the cycle of getting over-the-counter eye drops without lasting relief, contact Dr. Rick Thompson and Dr. Greg Thompson for a dry eye evaluation.

Our practice serves patients from Brampton, Milton, Mississauga, and Etobicoke, Ontario and surrounding communities.

REFERENCES

• https://www.allaboutvision.com/buysmart/eye-drops.htm
• https://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/dryeye-syndrome.htm