LipiFlow®: A Different Approach
In a clinical study, 79% patients reported improvement of their overall dry eye symptoms within four weeks, ranging from 10% to 100% improvement.
LipiFlow® is a new procedure designed to treat the root cause of Evaporative Dry Eye, blocked Meibomian glands. Opening and clearing these blocked glands can allow them to resume natural production of lipids (oils) needed for a healthy tear film.
Some treatments attempt to add more liquid to your tears, but without the complex natural oil, tears continue to evaporate faster than produced.
At the heart of the LipiFlow® Thermal Pulsation System is the Activator (eyepiece). The Activator uses patented, precisely controlled heat applied to the inner eyelid with adaptive pressure encouraging your body to resume the natural production of lipids (oils) needed for your tear film. Its single-use design and built-in sensors ensure a safe, sterile treatment. The treatment is performed in a doctor’s office — and in some cases, on the same day as your evaluation.
Imagine returning to doing the things you enjoy, without worrying about your eyes. LipiFlow® could be your first step to relief.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT DURING A LIPIFLOW® TREATMENT?
The 12-minute treatment will begin with you either resting in a reclined chair or lying comfortably on a table in a procedure room. Your doctor will place 1-2 drops of a mild anesthetic in the eye(s) to be treated. Your doctor will gently fit theLipiFlow® eyepiece (Disposable) with the lid warmer under your eye lids and the eye cup outside your eye lids. You will be asked to close your eyes around the eyepiece.
The LipiFlow® will be activated. You will begin to feel both gentle pressure and warmth on your eyelid. The eyepiece will become gradually warmer on your eyelids. Once the temperature reaches a therapeutic range, the device will maintain this temperature for 2 minutes at a constant pressure. This is when the glands are being brought to the appropriate temperature to begin melting the blockages within the glands. At the end of the 2 minutes, the pressure will be released briefly.
Next, the temperature will be maintained but the pressure will go through different modes, including slow increasing pressure and pulsation, for several cycles throughout the remaining 10 minutes of treatment. This is done to facilitate removing the blockages from the glands.
