Dry eyes and tear duct disorders
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. If you suffer from tearing eyes, this is usually due to excessive tear production as a reflex in response to irritation or dryness. 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.
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.
We specialise in the treatment of dry eyes. Our ophthalmologists will propose the most suitable therapies.
- Artificial tears
- 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.
- Heated mask and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
IPL is a sophisticated form of light therapy. The warm light works deep on the oily meibomian gland, 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.
- 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 occur when too little tear fluid is produced, when the tear film is of poor quality, or when it evaporates too quickly. Common causes include age, hormonal changes (such as menopause or pregnancy), air conditioning, prolonged screen use, certain medications and contact lenses. Blocked meibomian glands in the eyelid margin can also cause dry eyes.
What are the symptoms of dry eyes and can they cause blurred vision?
Indeed, fluctuating blurred vision is a common symptom of dry eyes. Other complaints include a burning or stinging sensation, red eyes, light sensitivity, quickly tiring eyes, itching, a gritty feeling or difficulty wearing contact lenses. At Oogcentrum Brugge we have specialised diagnostic equipment to determine which type of dry eyes you have.
What causes watery eyes and can they be caused by dry eyes?
Watery eyes are often actually a manifestation of dry eyes, however paradoxical that may sound. When the meibomian glands do not produce enough oil, your tears dry out too quickly. The eye then produces compensatory tears, and that is how your eyes start to overflow. As we get older, tear production decreases and we see this complaint more often. Draughts, long hours behind a screen and contact lenses can also play a role.
What can you do about dry eyes and which treatments are available?
There are various painless treatment options for dry eyes, but there is no quick fix. At Oogcentrum Brugge we use, among other things, artificial tears, LipiFlow (massage and warming of blocked meibomian glands), IPL light therapy (success rate of 90%), Tixel, MiBo Thermoflo and punctal plugs. We often combine different methods to achieve the best result.
Do eye drops help with dry eyes and which are the best?
Artificial tears are the most commonly prescribed eye drops for this complaint. They do not cure dry eyes, but supplement your own tear film. There is a wide range available, each tailored to specific complaints. Our ophthalmologists in Bruges prescribe the artificial tears that best suit your type of dry eyes. In addition, we often recommend Omega 3 supplements as support.