LipiFlow®
Dry eye is more than an inconvenience. Dry eye is a disease.
Many people suffer for years from the discomfort and pain of dry eye disease. Most try various products to manage their disease, and while many over-the-counter products can provide relief, it is often only temporary.
Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is a leading cause of dry eye disease. Although 86 percent of dry eye patients have MGD, MGD is often overlooked.
What is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction or MGD?
Meibomian glands line your upper and lower eyelids and secrete oil with every blink. This oil, or lipid, is a critical component of a healthy tear film that helps prevent tear film evaporation. Meibomian gland dysfunction, or MGD, occurs when the glands are not functioning correctly and do not release enough oil. MGD is a leading cause of dry eye disease and can cause symptoms like burning, stinging and itching. However, even patients without symptoms could have MGD.
What causes MGD?
MGD is caused by anatomical changes in the meibomian glands. MGD is chronic and progressive, so if left untreated, it may worsen over time. However, one in five MGD patients has no symptoms, making an MGD evaluation a good idea for everyone. The good news is if you are diagnosed with meibomian gland dysfunction, there are steps you can take to minimize the long-term impact of MGD. Fortunately, screening and treatment of MGD are easy.
Introducing LipiFlow®
If you have MGD, LipiFlow® is an automated treatment that helps clear away gland obstruction and restore gland function. The treatment is routinely performed in a single office visit and takes only 12 minutes, but the results could last for up to twelve months.
With more than 400,000 treatments worldwide, patients just like you are experiencing the proven benefits of the LipiFlow ® Thermal Pulsation System.
- LipiFlow® is safe and is designed to be a comfortable, FDA-cleared, in-office treatment for the inner and outer lid treatment of MGD.
- After an initial anesthetic eye drop, LipiFlow® applies precise heat to the inner eyelids and gently massages the Meibomian glands to loosen the oil trapped within the glands.
- Once loosened, LipiFlow® then pushes the contents up and out while protecting the delicate structure of the eyelids.
- This treatment is designed to restore the natural oil flow to the tear film that covers the eye’s surface.