If you suffer from dry eyes, chances are it’s due to meibomian gland dysfunction. Unfortunately, that means it won’t get better on its own. The doctors at Pacific Eye in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties often treat meibomian gland dysfunction with an advanced device called LipiFlow®, which restores normal gland function with one treatment. Don’t continue to put up with dry, irritated eyes; call one of the six Pacific Eye offices in San Luis Obispo, Lompoc, Paso Robles, Pismo Beach, and Santa Maria, California, as well as Optical Concepts in Santa Maria, or book an appointment online today.LipiFlow is an innovative medical device designed to treat meibomian gland dysfunction, which is the leading cause of dry eyes. The LipiFlow Thermal Pulsation System uses a sterile, single-use device called the activator to restore normal meibomian gland function.
The meibomian glands are found in your upper and lower eyelids. Their job is to secrete lipids that become one of three layers forming the tear film. Every time you blink, the movement spreads a film of tears over your eyes, where it provides protection and lubrication.
When the meibomian glands are blocked, your tear film loses its lipid layer. Loss of lipids (oils) allows the watery tears to evaporate too quickly. As a result, your eyes aren’t properly lubricated and you develop dry eyes.
Meibomian gland dysfunction is caused by a blockage in the glands. However, numerous underlying conditions lead to the problem, including factors ranging from aging and nutritional deficiencies to medications, infections, and diseases like seborrheic dermatitis.
The first line of treatment for blocked meibomian glands consists of gentle massage and applying heat to your eyelids. LipiFlow provides that treatment, only it produces better results than you can achieve manually and it does it with speed and efficiency. You’ll get significant relief with a single, 12-minute LipiFlow treatment*.
While LipiFlow treats your blocked meibomian glands, you can relax and benefit from the procedure, which most patients describe as feeling like an eye massage. During your treatment, LipiFlow activators are placed under and over the eyelids. You don’t need to worry about discomfort because they’re carefully designed so they don’t touch the eye’s surface.
Once the activators are in place, they simultaneously deliver heat and gentle massage. The activator under the eyelid emits heat that loosens the blocked lipids, while massage is applied by the activator on top of the eyelid. Working together, the activators effectively and safely eliminate the obstruction, and you should experience optimal results about six to eight weeks after your treatment.If you have symptoms of dry eyes such as scratchy, red eyes, sensitivity to light, blurry vision, and difficulty driving at night, call Pacific Eye or book an appointment online today.
*Individual results may vary
Pacific Eye Surgeons has offices in San Luis Obispo, Lompoc, Paso Robles, Pismo Beach, Orcutt, and Santa Maria, California, as well as Optical Concepts in Santa Maria.
