LipiFlow® Treatment for Dry Eye

The most common cause of dry eye is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD). It is a common condition; however, most people are not aware of it. To understand the LipiFlow treatment, you need to understand what MGD is.

What Is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)?

There are three layers of substances in our tears. These are oil (meibum), water, and mucus. The oil lubricates the eye and helps to reduce the evaporation of the water. Production of the oil or meibum is in the meibomian glands. These glands are along the rims of the eyelids. When there is a blockage in the tiny glands, it causes less oil to reach the eye surface. Less oil then causes dry eye.

There are different causes for the blockage. They include wearing contact lenses, age, allergic conjunctivitis, high cholesterol, or damage to the cornea or eyelid. Some medications can also cause MGD. There are several treatments for MGD, but the most effective treatment is LipiFlow.

What Is LipiFlow Treatment?

LipiFlow is a non-invasive treatment device that removes blockages from the meibomian glands. It is slowly becoming the standard treatment for blockage of the meibomian glands. It uses vectored thermal pulsation technique to treat the glands.

The technique uses warm, gentle heat to liquefy the contents of the meibomian glands. It also employs physical massage to help the glands secrete their content. The combination effectively helps to unblock the glands so they can produce quality oil for the tear film.

Benefits of LipiFlow

There are many benefits of the treatment apart from it being highly effective. These benefits include:

• It Is Non-invasive

The technique uses single-use activators that look like scleral contact lenses with shields. The scleral lens part slides beneath the upper and lower eyelids and onto the eyeball. They emit heat to the eyelids while at the same time protecting the eyes. The shield part sits on the lids, sending a pulsating squeeze to them.

• It Is Fast

The treatment takes place in the doctor’s office and lasts for about 12 minutes. It is therefore easy to fit treatments into your schedule. The treatments also save time, as in those twelve minutes, you receive the equivalent of 180 warm compress treatments. It is also relaxing and soothing because of the gentle heat and the massaging.

• Fast Recovery

Many patients feel immediate relief even after their first treatment. There is no downtime. Therefore, you can return to your regular activities immediately after the procedure. All you will need to do is clean your eyes daily to prevent the accumulation of debris. There is less need for eye drops and artificial tears.

• Long-term Relief

For patients with severe dry eye, it may take a few weeks to feel the full effect of the treatment. They may also need to go for more sessions with time. However, once you feel the effects, they can last for six months to one year.

The treatment is also natural since it does not use artificial substances. There is therefore no risk of your eyes having an allergic reaction which could worsen your condition.

For more information on LipiFlow treatment, visit Quality Eye Care at our offices in Jacksonville and Gainsville, Florida. You can also call (904) 601-1300 to schedule an appointment today.