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What LipiFlow Does for Your Dry Eyes

Dry eyes and meibomian gland dysfunction are common eye conditions. […]

By Published On: 18 June 20123 min read

Dry eyes and meibomian gland dysfunction are common eye conditions. When you are suffering from dry eyes, you tend to exhibit the following symptoms:

•    Dry, gritty and irritated eyes.
•    Blurred vision.
•    Sensitivity to sunlight.
•    Symptoms worsen when you read, drive or use the computer for prolonged periods of time.

These symptoms are indicative of evaporative dry eye or a chronic condition that occurs when your tears evaporate faster than normal because you have insufficient lipid layer on the tear film of your eye. The condition worsens overtime and it is often due to the blockage in the meibomian gland or the oil-producing glands of the eyelids.

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is an eye condition that occurs when the glands become blocked overtime. The secretion of the lipids from individual glands located in the upper and lower eyelids are limited due to the blockage. This condition is characterized by eyelid inflammation, swelling and redness.

Causes

MGD may be due to any of the following:

•    Age
•    Medical conditions like diabetes
•    Hormonal changes such as during menopause
•    Use of contact lens
•    Eye hygiene
•    Use of eye cosmetics.

Treatments

Dry eyes and MGD are usually interrelated. Most people would try to self-heal these conditions as their symptoms appear to be common. Some would resort to home remedies like applying warm compress on the affected eye, while some would use eye drops. Unfortunately, the relief provided by these remedies is temporary. The condition can recur.

LipiFlow

Fortunately, people with dry eyes and MGD no longer need to suffer. With the invention of the revolutionary LipiFlow technology, the symptoms and the leading cause of evaporative dry eye can now be treated. The LipiFlow Thermal Pulsation System treats this eye condition caused by MGD.

The treatment opens and clears blocked meibomian glands to allow the body to resume natural production of lipids needed by the tear film.

Procedure

•    A licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist will evaluate your condition to determine its likely cause. You may be asked to complete a lifestyle questionnaire to assess how your eyes feel on a daily basis.

•    If your symptoms are mild, a non-invasive test will be conducted with the use of the LipiView Ocular Surface Interferometer. This is similar to a comprehensive eye exam where images of your tear film will be captured. The equipment can process 14 million pixels per second. This takes less than five minutes and your doctor will use the result to assess your tear film.

•    Your doctor will most likely conduct a meibomian gland evaluation to check if your glands are blocked or obstructed.

•    If you are found eligible for the procedure, the LipiFlow treatment will proceed. Controlled heat will be applied to your inner eyelid. Mild intermittent pressure will also be applied to release lipids from your blocked meibomian glands. The upper and lower eyelids are treated simultaneously. There is absolutely no damage to the glands or the eyes. The procedure is done in your doctor’s clinic.

79% of patients reported 10% to 100% improvement in their over-all symptoms within four weeks from treatment. With this highly-reliable and painless procedure, you can say goodbye to your dry eyes and MGD.

Finally most dry eye patients can now be treated.  The first LipiFlow system will be installed in Australia by The Eye Practice (Sydney CBD) this month.

Enquiries and appointments have been made from around the country and as far away as New Zealand.  Call The Eye Practice now on (02) 9290 1899 or ask a question by clicking on the QUICK ENQUIRY Tab at the top right of this website.

Comments

25 Comments

  1. David Rann 27 July 2012 at 7:27 am - Reply

    Hi

    Please send more info on LipiFlow and treatment costs

    Thanks

    David

  2. Tania Earle 21 August 2012 at 5:05 am - Reply

    Hi David,

    Just wondering if you could send me some information and pricing on Lipiflow please.

    PO Box 1300 Hervey Bay Q 4655

  3. Elizabeth Hepburn 4 October 2013 at 11:58 am - Reply

    Please can you send me information and pricing on Lipiflow. My 24 year old daughter has severe problems with dry eyes. A very brief and very low dose of Isotane caused this nearly 2 years ago. This week she used a decongestant just once, and since then she is struggling to keep her eyes open by afternoon. It’s hard for her to read or drive, and she is afraid she is not going to be able to hold down a job. 18 months ago she was told that the oil glands in her eyes are not working properly. Do you think LipiFlow could help her?

  4. Deb Vickers 28 October 2013 at 9:50 am - Reply

    I’m sorry to hear that the machine was not financially viable for you, but if you could send me any further information or advice on where I might seek help in the ACT for my dry eyes, I would be very grateful.

  5. Susan 4 March 2014 at 1:42 pm - Reply

    Hello Jim,
    I’m interested in the LipiFlow treatment for dry eye.
    Could you please send me some information on the procedure.

  6. samarla 7 May 2014 at 12:45 am - Reply

    Hi,
    I have been suffering extremely bad blepheritis for nearly 6 years now and so far no one has been able to help me. Every day is a constant battle. Can you please send me more information on the lipiflow procedures.
    Samarla

  7. Abel Berhane 22 May 2014 at 5:09 pm - Reply

    Hi jim, my name is abel. I need to ask you if the practice work for bells palsy patients? It happens for me from 1997 and I’m struggling to close my eyes and because of that my eyes are dry.

  8. Michele Watson 1 May 2015 at 8:52 am - Reply

    Hi Jim can you recommend anyone in Perth? I have a tearing left eye and some blepharitis. I am just useing Systane eyelid cleaners at the moment but the tearing is a nuisance. I am seeing Dr Cunnen next week – an opthalmologist but wondered if you can advise me – perhaps I can ask him about blephex.

  9. Paula Dawson 15 August 2015 at 1:38 am - Reply

    Do you know if any nz practitioners use the Blephex procedure

  10. Bob Atkinson 24 September 2015 at 6:12 am - Reply

    Hi Jim,Can you give me a contact in Perth West Aust for the Lipi Flow treatment for Dry Eyes.I worked in very dusty conditions on mine sites etc and i match up to all the symptons you mention.
    A possible contact in perth would be appreciated

    Regards
    Bob

  11. shweta 7 January 2019 at 4:05 pm - Reply

    what would be cost for lipiview and lipiflow

    • Jim Kokkinakis 18 July 2019 at 5:15 pm - Reply

      Shweta
      Lipiview is done before Lipiflow can be considered. Lipiview is part of our dry eye comprehensive eye test. This can take up to 2 hours to get through and we charge around $500.
      If your dry eye is lipid deficiency caused by meibomian gland dysfunction then the Lipiflow procedure might be appropriate. This is $1990.

    • Jim Kokkinakis 3 May 2020 at 3:29 pm - Reply

      It depends on where you are from. Different countries have different pricing.

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