Posted by: Dr. Ramsarat in Dry Eye, LipiFlow
Dry eye is a common condition affecting millions of Americans every year. Sometimes, it is triggered by certain environmental elements or specific seasons. The symptoms can become intense, especially if you have not received adequate treatment. While many of the solutions available provide some relief, they are not permanent or long-lasting. Dealing with the condition can become quite frustrating.
The treatment options available all depend on the form of dry eye you have. You can have two types of dry eye. Although both affect your tears, they affect them in different ways. You can either have insufficient tear production or unstable tears. The more common of the two is unstable tear production. The most effective treatment for this form of dry eye is LipiFlow®.
What Is Dry Eye From Unstable Tears?
Dry eye is a condition that affects your tears and their ability to lubricate your eyes. When your tears are unstable, one of the layers that comprise the tears is not working correctly. Unstable tears usually lead to rapid tear film evaporation, leaving your eyes bare. This form of dry eye is common in people over 60.
Structure Of Tears
Tears comprise three primary layers, each of which plays a specific role in the function of the tears. Each of the layers is also produced or secreted by a different organ in the eye. The three layers are:
Mucin Layer
It is the innermost layer of the tear film and is also the thickest of them. It helps spread the tear across the whole eye surface. The sclera of the eye produces it.
Aqueous Layer
It is the most voluminous of the three layers and mainly consists of water. It is also the middle layer of the tear film and does most of the lubrication.
Lipid Layer
The lipid layer is the top of the tear film and is mainly composed of oils. The purpose of this layer is to protect the other two from evaporation. When this layer is affected, it leads to unstable tears and rapid tear film evaporation.
What Is LipiFlow?
LipiFlow is a dry eye treatment that uses gentle pressure and heat to unclog blocked oil glands in the eyelids. It works to treat dry eye that comes from an unstable tear film. The glands that the treatment focuses on are the meibomian glands.
Benefits Of LipiFlow
Treats The Source
Unlike other treatments that only focus on the symptoms of dry eye, LipiFlow focuses on the source of the dry eye. It helps unclog the blocked oil glands, leading to better results.
Safe And Quick
The treatment is FDA-approved, meaning it is safe for your eyes and the glands in your lids. It takes about 12 minutes for a single-eye session. You will see the results within four to eight weeks of the treatment.
Downtime
The treatment is quick and has no downtime after your sessions. Because it uses gentle force and heat to clear your clogged glands, it does not require you to spend time in the hospital.
For more on the major benefits of LipiFlow for dry eye treatment, visit Dr. Veronica Ramsarat, OD, at our office in New York, New York. Call (833) 255-0096 to book an appointment today.
