Over 20 million Americans suffer from dry eye disease but the Lipiflow Thermal Pulsation can help you feel better. One of the reasons why your eyes may be dry is because you may have a condition called Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), which occurs when the meibomian glands in the upper and lower lids become clogged, making your tear film unstable. This will cause red, tired eyes and your vision will fluctuate throughout the day.
It is our mechanism of blinking that causes the muscles around the glands to secrete oils into our eyes called the lipid layer. If you are not blinking completely or frequently, the layer becomes stagnant, causing the oil to become thicker. This will block the gland, causing our eye to feel dry. Long term, the glands will die off and your symptoms will increase over time.
Patients with the biggest risk are:
1) contact lens wearers
2) patients who use a digital device for a prolonged period
3) postmenopausal women
4) allergy sufferers
5) patients with autoimmune disorders
6) patients who take certain medications
7) patients who live in a dry environment
The procedure gently warms the glands and massages the blockage in the glands for 12 minutes.
According to the research published in Clinical Ophthalmology, contact lens wearers were able to wear their contact lenses more comfortably for 4 more hours per day. Some patients may notice symptoms right away but others it may take six to 8 weeks or a repeat if moderate to severe. Call us today to schedule to see if you are a candidate for this treatment.