What Is LipiFlow?
LipiFlow is a treatment device specifically designed for effectively removing 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. Supported by 37 patents and used around the world by leading eye care professionals, LipiFlow is fast becoming the standard of care for MGD with studies demonstrating its safe and effective results. LipiFlow was designed to minimize patient discomfort during a 12 minute in-office treatment that most patients describe as a gently massaging of the eye lids.
Is Lipiflow Right For You?
Dr. Gelman will perform a series of diagnostic tests to evaluate gland performance and the health of your gland secretions. One such test is LipiView. LipiView is a high resolution, digital imaging tool used to evaluate the structure of your meibomian glands and the severity of meibomian gland dysfunction. Dr. Gelman uses this tool to measure your eyes’ natural lipid production in your tear layer, blink rate, incomplete blinking and determine if you have meibomian gland dysfunction, allowing Dr. Gelman to customize your treatment regimen based on the severity. If you have MGD, LipiFlow may be an optimal treatment to ensure long-term eye health and to alleviate Dry Eye and MGD symptoms.
- Perform LipiView
- Measure eyes’ natural lipid production in tear layer, blink rate, incomplete blinking
- Determine if you have meibomian gland dysfunction
- Costumize treatment
LipiFlow Activators
LipiFlow activators are single-use sterile devices that safely and comfortably deliver automated therapeutic energies to the Meibomian glands, while protecting the delicate structures of the patient’s eye. The activators are specifically designed to be placed under and over the eye lids and are contoured above the cornea, so that the activators themselves avoid contact with the core eye surface. The placement of the activators on the eyes and treatment is a simple process that is done with minimal discomfort, on average.
Treatment Begins
Once the activators are placed on the eyes, treatment begins. The LipiFlow activator delivers a combination of heat and gentle pressure to the inner lids using what is called Vectored Thermal Pulse (VTP), with a simultaneous therapeutic motion on the outer lid. This unique combination of patented vectored heat and gentle adaptive pressure safely removes gland obstruction or old gland content. The entire treatment takes 12 minutes and, as normal gland function recovers, maximum results are usually experienced 6-8 weeks after treatment.
After Treatment
When LipiFlow treatment is properly applied, the glands can resume normal oil production or what is known as lipids. This oil is essential for a healthy tear film and for protecting the tear layer or watery layer of your eyes. When the water layer is exposed due to lack of oils on the top of the tear film due to Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) or gland blockages, the result is the leading cause of Dry Eye Symptoms.