Treating Dry Eye With LipiFlow®: Here's What to Expect

Have you heard about LipiFlow® treatment for dry eyes?

Dry Eyes

There is a large group of people who suffer from dry eye conditions. Every day, they have to deal with irritation and pain. The pain becomes unbearable if they must wear contact lenses. Their only reprieve comes with the use of artificial tear eye drops to manage their day-to-day routine.

Dry eyes syndrome causes the eyes to feel scratchy or itchy. In some situations, it can cause light sensitivity. In time, dry eye syndrome gets in the way of daily activities as it gets worse. Dry eye syndrome can cause severe eye health issues and vision problems when untreated.

What Is MGD – Meibomian Gland Dysfunction?

MGD is the foremost cause of dry eye syndrome. Meibomian gland dysfunction occurs when the meibomian glands get clogged or obstructed. The tears in a human eye usually contain three different layers: a lipid layer, an aqueous layer, and a mucin layer. Together, these layers keep the surface of the eye well lubricated.

Meibomian glands are responsible for producing the lipid layer of the tear film. The lipid layer becomes scarce or disappears entirely following an obstruction. When there is a defect in the gland, the lipid layer produced becomes low quality. The most frequently administered treatment and the most effective against MGD is LipiFlow.

What Is LipiFlow?

Donald Korb and his partners at Tear Science® are responsible for inventing LipiFlow. It is a relatively sized and effective treatment device. It works by effectively removing obstructions from the meibomian glands. It is now the go-to treatment for MGD.

The LipiFlow employs what is called an Activator—a sterile single-use device and a console. It is powered by the company’s Vectored Thermal Pulsation technology. This technology allows the Activator to send heat pulses to the meibomian glands through the eyelids.

How Does LipiFlow Correct Dry Eye?

LipiFlow directly addresses the root cause of dry eye caused by MGD. It massages the eyelids slowly while applying warm, gentle heat to the eyelids. This combination of massage and heat slowly but effectively gets rid of the obstructions of the meibomian glands. The glands can resume their production of lipids for the tear film soon after LipiFlow treatment.

The LipiFlow treatment takes roughly 12 minutes to administer. Before the treatment begins, the doctor will numb the eyes to ensure complete comfort during the procedure. They will also clean the eyelids thoroughly.

What Is the Treatment Process?

When the treatment commences, you will sit on a comfortable reclining chair. Before you close your eyes, the doctor will place an eye unit into the eyes. As the treatment progresses, you will feel a gentle pulse.

You will also experience some warmth and continuous pressure. The 12-minute session is split into two short six-minute sessions. The treatment is painless, allowing you to leave as soon as it is done. You will have a progress check after a month.

For more on treating dry eye with LipiFlow, visit Primary Eye Care at our office in Tupelo, Mississippi. You can call (662) 200-9842 to book an appointment today.