What is LipiFlow®

1. What is LipiFlow® LipiFlow® is an advanced technology designed to treat the root cause of evaporative dry eye. It is a safe, non-invasive procedure that uses heat and massage to unclog blocked meibomian glands and restore normal oil production. This helps reduce symptoms of dry eye, such as redness, burning, itching, and blurry vision. The meibomian glands are located in the eyelids and produce an oily substance called meibum. This meibum is essential for keeping the surface of the eyes lubricated and healthy. When these glands become blocked or inflamed due to conditions such as aging, environmental factors, or certain medications, they can no longer produce enough oil to keep the eyes lubricated. This can lead to evaporative dry eye—a condition where tears evaporate too quickly from the surface of the eyes due to insufficient oil production from the meibomian glands. LipiFlow® is a patented technology designed specifically for treating evaporative dry eye caused by blocked or inflamed meibomian glands. During treatment, a special device is placed over your closed eyelids that delivers both heat and pressure directly to the affected area. This combination helps soften hardened oils in your blocked glands while simultaneously massaging them open so that they can start producing normal amounts of oil again. The entire process usually takes about 12 minutes per eye and most patients report feeling only mild warmth during treatment with no discomfort afterwards. The results from LipiFlow® have been overwhelmingly positive with many patients reporting significant improvement in their symptoms after just one treatment session. In clinical studies, LipiFlow® was found to be effective at improving tear production in 88% of patients with evaporative dry eye after just one session. Additionally, studies have also shown that LipiFlow® can improve patient’s vision by up to two lines on standard visual acuity tests after just one session as well as reduce corneal staining scores by up to 50%. Overall LipiFlow® has been proven safe and effective for treating evaporative dry eye caused by blocked or inflamed meibomian glands in both adults and children over 12 years old who are not pregnant or nursing mothers. While it may not be suitable for everyone with dry eye symptoms due to other underlying causes such as allergies or autoimmune conditions, it has been shown to be highly effective at restoring normal oil production which can help improve symptoms associated with evaporative dry eye significantly without any major side effects or risks associated with other treatments such as medication or surgery. About Author The Eye Center is the leading refractive practice in South Carolina, providing full-service eye care and specializing in Refractive Surgery – Lasik, AST, PRK, PRELEX, as well as Corneal Transplant and Cataract Surgery.