If you experience a sandy feeling in your eyes it could be a sign of eyes which can be quite bothersome to deal with. Lipiflow is a treatment option, for eye diseases that may not be as widely recognized or easily accessible compared to other treatments available.
Nevertheless, Lipiflow is becoming more popular as awareness grows regarding its efficacy, in treating Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) a contributor to dry eye symptoms. Ultimately it would be wise to consult with an eye care specialist to assess whether Lipiflow could be a remedy, for your condition. They will conduct various tests to determine whether or not it is the best solution for your eyes.
To understand dry eyes better, they occur when your eyes aren’t producing enough tears to provide lubrication for your eyes. Now that may raise questions about why tears are produced enough. Now, eyes can produce unstable and inadequate tears for many reasons. Often poor-quality tears lead to inflammation and damage of the eye’s surface.
People with dry eyes can understand the real pain. If you have them, you can not stand the stinging and burning sensation. Apart from some medical conditions, you may also experience dry eyes on an aeroplane, while riding a bike, in an AC room, or looking at a computer screen for a long time.
Symptoms of dry eyes can be:
If neglected, dry eyes can be quite problematic in the future. So, getting treatments will make you more comfortable. You might require certain treatments or prescriptions and make lifestyle changes. In some cases, a patient may be required to take these measures lifetime to control the symptoms of dry eyes.
It is best to see a doctor if these symptoms remain prolonged and your eyes are always red, irritated, tired or painful. You can also request an appointment at Vision Concern if you have dry eyes.
Dry eyes happen when tears’ natural balance is teased. The three layers of tears; an oily layer, a watery layer, and a mucus layer work together to maintain your eyes’ health.
But a disruption in this balance can cause irritated eyes. A problem with this balance could mean you develop some troublesome eyes that might become dry or irritated. If there is a problem with any of these, dry eyes are normal.
The many causes of tear dysfunction include changes in hormones, inflamed eyelid glands, and allergic eye disease. Some individuals also develop this concerning inadequate tear production or excessive evaporation of tears.
Other common causes of dry eyes can be:
We can blame Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) as one of the major causes of dry eyes. These tiny glands on the eyelids produce an oily substance called meibum. This oil forms a protective layer on your tears, preventing them from evaporating too quickly. When these glands aren't able to do their job properly, the eyes can become dry and irritated.
MGD blocks these glands and reduces oil production. Even after being blocked these glands still try to make oils. The oil is trapped in the glands and it makes the blockage worse. Then your eyes become dry, scratchy, and inflamed. For people who have rosacea and blepharitis, MGD can be harsh.
Warm compresses and massage at home should be helpful. Good hygiene of the eyelids also plays an equally important part. Place the clean, warm towel over your eyes for a couple of minutes. Doing this twice a day will help loosen blockages.
Often times optometrists also recommend using lubricating eye drops for instant relief. Also, popularly known as artificial tears, they provide moisture to the eyes. And when none of them works, doctors recommend going for LipiFlow. Know more about it below.
Dry eyes are a real problem, but your eyes will be given the relief they need with the right treatment. LipiFlow is one of the most common and one of the best treatments for dry eyes that many people are getting.
Also called thermal pulsation, Lipiflow can treat meibomian gland dysfunction that is related to evaporative dry eye disease. This process works by using heat and massage to warm and express the meibomian glands to improve the function of the tear.
Before beginning any eye treatment, the doctor begins with a comprehensive eye test. While MGD causes dryness in most eyes, other factors should be considered too. What your doctor does is examine your eyes and check how healthy your tear film is.
It should be clear that LipiFlow mainly treats dry eye caused by MGD and its effectiveness may be little on aqueous deficiency dry eyes. This non-evasive treatment focuses on the root cause of evaporative dry eye: clogged meibomian glands. Also, the whole procedure takes just about 12 minutes.
LipiFlow applies controlled heat to the inner eyelid with a device that easily and comfortably fits around your eyelids, along with gentle pressure on the outer eyelid. It then warms, massages the meibomian glands, unblocks them, and stimulates oil production, thus leading to a healthier tear film and increased comfort to the eyes.
Lipiflow offers you long-lasting relief from dry eyes. Most of the patients who have undergone the Lipiflow treatment have gotten relief from symptoms for over a year. This safe and non-invasive treatment might make you not need surgery.
Many people want to know whether the process is painful or not. There might be a certain extent of discomfort or a sensation of warmth while having the treatment but it is a painless process. You might even find the whole procedure quite relaxing due to the numbing eyedrop put on by your doctor during the treatment.
LipiFlow might not be 100% effective for everyone. About 20% of people who went through the procedure claimed that they didn’t experience any improvement after using LipiFlow. Moreover, it is not for those who have severe dry eyes. In that case, their doctor might suggest some other more effective option.
Also, talking about the side effects, there is always a chance that a person can suffer from irritation or hemorrhaging around their eyelids.
Instead of managing the cause, LipiFlow treats the symptoms of dry eyes. This means that it is more likely you get rid of your problem for a long period. You will see the difference due to the quick and easy procedure in just a few weeks. Many people also feel better right after the procedure.
With the dry eyes gone, you will feel so much better and it will have a positive impact on your daily life as well. Your work productivity will automatically increase and you will feel much better inside and out.
Your doctor will perform a series of comprehensive dry eye tests to ascertain whether or not your eyes require LipiFlow. If the cause of your dry eye is meibomian gland dysfunction, then a procedure of LipiFlow will be required.
MGD was once an extremely difficult problem to treat. Thanks to LipiFlow, this is so easily curable. If your dry eye problem is chronic, then also LipiFlow is the treatment you require. Lipiflow is a super easy, quick, and painless method to treat chronic dry eyes caused by MGD.
Both IPL and LipiFlow have their good and bad sides but which one to choose? It is up to your eye doctor to decide after getting your eyes tested.
Let’s look at the main differences between the two so you’ll be familiar with their pros and cons to some limit:
| Feature | IPL | LipiFlow |
|---|---|---|
| Use | Uses pulse of light to minimize inflammation | Uses heat and pressure to unclog meibomian glands |
| Target | It targets Meibomian gland dysfunction and other inflammatory eye conditions | Targets mainly MGD |
| Procedure | Involves multiple treatments | A single-session treatment |
| Side effect | Temporary redness, mild discomfort, and swelling | Temporary mildness and discomfort |
| Effectiveness | Effective for both inflammatory and evaporative dry eye | Mainly effective for evaporative dry eye |
Overall, LipiFlow is designed to comfort your eyes with the relief that they desperately need from the pain of dry eyes. This is both a safe and effective treatment for gaining long-lasting relief from irritating symptoms. If you are having a tough life because of dry eyes and want a solution, please visit our experienced team at Vision Concern to learn more about LipiFlow. Book your consultation today and enjoy the comfort of your eyes once again.
Ans: Often people who have very dry eyes due to MGD are good candidates for receiving LipiFlow treatment. The doctor first conducts a comprehensive eye treatment, including a full evaluation of the tear film and glands.
Ans: In most cases, patients only need the LipiFlow treatment once. However, if the symptoms of dry eyes return, the patient may need to undergo the procedure more than once.
Yes, we provide emergency eye care for conditions like eye injuries, sudden vision loss, and infections. If you experience any urgent eye problems, please contact us immediately, and our team will assist you in getting the care you need.
Signs to watch for include blurry vision, floaters, sudden loss of vision, eye pain, redness, or sensitivity to light. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to schedule an eye exam at Vision Concern Eye Clinic as soon as possible for early diagnosis and treatment.
If you’re experiencing blurred vision, headaches, or eye strain, it may be a sign that you need glasses or contact lenses. Our eye exams will help determine whether you need corrective lenses. We’ll also discuss your options based on your lifestyle and preferences, including glasses, contacts, or even refractive surgery like LASIK.
