LipiFlow

Lipiflow is Optimal Treatment for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)

Many commonly attribute their eye discomfort to dry eye, when a leading cause of the burning, scratching and redness is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction or MGD.
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MGD occurs when there is a compromise to the function and/or structure of the Meibomian glands. These glands, located in the eyelids, produce the protective oily (lipid) layer of the tear film. This oil helps protect the surface of the eye from disease and prevents the watery part of the tears from evaporating when your eyes are open. Without these oils, the eyes become more susceptible to the negative effects that dry climates, air conditioning, computer use, reading and other daily activities can have on the long-term health of our eyes.

p heat eyelid glandTreating MGD with LipiFlow®

LipiFlow® is a treatment performed in your doctor’s office designed to remove blockages from the Meibomian glands, allowing them to properly function and produce the oils that make up the top protective lipid layer of the tear film. LipiFlow® is supported by more than 30 patents with studies demonstrating its safe and effective results. It is designed to minimize patient discomfort during a 12-minute treatment that gently massages the eyelids.

LipiFlow® Activators are single-use sterile devices that safely and comfortably deliver a combination of heat to the inner lids and simultaneous therapeutic motion to the outer lids, removing blockages from the Meibomian glands. The Activators are contoured to avoid contact with the cornea, protecting the delicate structures of the eye.

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LipiFlow® Treatment,

Once the gland blockages are removed, the glands can resume normal oil or lipid production. This oil is essential for a healthy tear film, providing stable vision and ocular comfort. As normal gland function recovers, maximum results are usually experienced 8-10 weeks after treatment.

 

After Your LipiFlow® Treatment

What to Expect After Your Treatment:

  • Today your eyes may be slightly red and this is normal.
  • Over the next few days your eyes may feel drier as the oil glands were completely emptied today.
  • Benefits can be seen as early as a few days.
  • Maximum benefits can take up to 8-10 weeks.

Benefits of One Lipiflow Treatment:

  • No other single-dose therapy offers the same effectiveness as Lipiflow
  • Goals of therapy: clear out blocked glands and prevent further damage to the glands
  • Over 31 peer-reviewed studies show post-treatment improvement in:
  • Number of functioning oil glands
  • Patient symptoms
  • Oil layer thickness
  • All studies show one Lipiflow treatment is highly effect at restoring oil gland function
  • Average treatment lasts 12-15 months – only dry eye therapy lasting over a year with one treatment

Treatment is Customized Based on Your Clinical Exam and Symptoms

Most patients have BOTH Dry Eye Syndrome and Meibomitis. Treatment is tailored to your clinical exam, symptoms, and unique health history / patient profile. Recall that Dry Eye Syndrome and Meibomitis are chronic and there is no cure for these conditions. The goal of treatment is to control your symptoms, improve your quality of life, and halt progression of the disease. You will receive a customized post-treatment plan after your procedure.

For more information on Lipiflow, MGD and Dry Eye visit Lipiflow’s website at https://dryeyeandmgd.com/the-leading-causes-of-dry-eye-disease/

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LipiFlow® Safety Information

Indications for Use

The LipiFlow® System is intended for the application of localized heat and pressure therapy in adult patients with chronic cystic conditions of the eyelids, including Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), also known as Evaporative Dry Eye or Lipid Deficiency Dry Eye.

Contraindications

Do not use the LipiFlow® System in patients with the following conditions. Use of the device in patients with these conditions may cause injury. Safety and effectiveness of the device have not been studied in patients with these conditions.

  • Ocular surgery within prior 3 months, including intraocular, oculo-plastic, corneal or refractive surgery procedure
  • Ocular injury within prior 3 months
  • Ocular Herpes of eye or eyelid within prior 3 months
  • Active ocular infection
  • Active ocular inflammation or history of chronic, recurrent ocular inflammation within prior 3 months
  • Eyelid abnormalities that affect lid function
  • Ocular surface abnormality that may compromise corneal integrity

Precautions

The Activator or Activator II (Disposable) may not fit all eyes, such as small eyes (eyes with small palpebral fornices).

Use of the LipiFlow® System in patients with the following conditions may result in reduced treatment effectiveness because the conditions may cause ocular symptoms unrelated to cystic meibomian glands. Safety and effectiveness of the device have not been studied in patients with these conditions.

  • Moderate to severe allergies (allergic vernal, or giant papillary conjunctivitis)
  • Severe eyelid inflammation. Patients with severe eyelid inflammation should be treated medically prior to device use.
  • Systemic disease conditions that cause dry eye.
  • Taking medications known to cause dryness.
  • Esthetic eyelid and eyelash procedures.

In addition, the treatment procedure may loosen previously inserted punctal plugs, which may worsen the patient’s dry eye symptoms.

For information on other Dry Eye Syndrome and Meibomitis (MGD) treatments see our Dry Eye page.