The Science Behind LipiFlow

Do your eyes frequently feel dry? Do you feel like your eyes are constantly irritated, burning, or gritty? If so, you may be suffering from meibomian gland dysfunction, the leading cause of dry eye. With this condition, the tiny glands in the eyelids that produce oil for the eyes become blocked. This reduces the amount of oil they secrete. It causes your tears to evaporate too quickly, leaving your eyes dry and uncomfortable.

Fortunately, there is a breakthrough treatment for MGD that can help restore your eye health and comfort. LipiFlow® is a safe and effective way to unclog your oil glands and improve your tear quality. 

How LipiFlow Works

LipiFlow is a device that applies heat and gentle pressure to your eyelids to clear the blockages in your oil glands. The device consists of two sterile, single-use activators placed on your eyelids. The activators have sensors to monitor the temperature and pressure applied to your eyes.

Your eye doctor can perform the LipiFlow treatment in their office in about 12 minutes. During the treatment, you will experience a warm feeling and a soft massage on your eyelids. The heat and pressure help melt and squeeze out the hardened oil from your glands. This allows the oil to flow freely into your tear film, protecting your eyes from drying out.

Benefits 

LipiFlow can offer several advantages for people with MGD and dry eye, such as: 

Less Discomfort

LipiFlow can ease dry eye discomforts such as itching, burning, scratchiness, redness, and blurred vision. Many patients report feeling more comfortable and refreshed after LipiFlow treatment.

Improved Tear Quality

This treatment can help improve the quality of your tears by increasing the amount and improving the consistency of oil in your tear film. This allows your tears to stay in your eyes longer and prevent evaporation.

Lasting Results

LipiFlow can provide lasting relief for up to 12 months or longer. However, this will depend on your condition's severity and lifestyle factors. You may need repeat treatments to maintain optimal results.

Safe and Comfortable

LipiFlow is a safe and comfortable procedure with minimal risks or side effects. The device is FDA-approved and clinically proven effective for MGD and dry eye.

Who Is a Good Candidate for LipiFlow?

LipiFlow is suitable for people with MGD and dry eye that do not respond to other treatments such as eye drops, warm compresses, or eyelid cleaning. You must undergo a comprehensive eye exam and a LipiView test to determine if you are a good candidate.

LipiView is an imaging device that allows your eye doctor to see the structure and function of your oil glands. It can measure the amount and quality of oil in your tear film. It can also measure the blink rate and pattern. Based on these measurements, your eye doctor can diagnose MGD and recommend LipiFlow treatment if appropriate.

Conclusion

LipiFlow is a breakthrough treatment for dry eyes. It focuses on the leading cause of dry eye syndrome, meibomian gland dysfunction. It uses heat and pressure therapy to remove blockages in the meibomian glands. This helps the glands work better and eases symptoms. LipiFlow stands on solid science and research. 

It improves tear film quality and reduces dry eye symptoms. Patients should learn more about the science behind LipiFlow and choose the best treatment for their dry eye syndrome.

For more information on LipiFlow, visit Primary Eye Care at our Tupelo, Mississippi office. Call (662) 200-9842 to schedule an appointment today.