Dry eye disease is a common condition that occurs when the surface of the eye becomes irritated as a result of insufficient tear production or tear evaporation. Meibomian gland dysfunction (MBD) is one of the most common causes of this disease, leading to an imbalance of the lipid layer of the tear and increased evaporation. LipiFlow is an innovative technology for the treatment of MBD-induced dry eye disease. So what is the role of Lipiflow in the treatment of dry eye? Let’s see what are the lasting effects of Lipiflow, especially for patients who have this problem for a long time.
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and Dry Eye
Meibomian glands are critical structures that prevent tear evaporation by producing the lipid layer of the tear. When these glands become blocked or underactive, the stability of the tear is compromised, leading to dry eye symptoms, which we can already see as the main cause. Symptoms such as burning, stinging, redness, blurred vision and discomfort when wearing contact lenses are also common in dry eye disease.
How LipiFlow Technology Works
LipiFlow is a device based on the principle of thermal pulsation therapy (TPT) and aims to unclog the meibomian glands and restore their natural functioning. The treatment process can be illustrated immediately as follows.
- Warming of the eyelids: The LipiFlow device exposes the eyelids to a temperature of around 42.5°C. This helps open the ducts by softening the hardened meibum secretion.
- Pulsative pressure application: At the same time, a gentle massage is performed from the outside and the blocked meibomian glands are cleared with pressure.
- Improving the function of the glands: After treatment, the glands can perform their natural function more efficiently and the tear lipid layer becomes more stable.
LipiFlow Efficacy and Clinical Trials
Several clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of LipiFlow show that the treatment offers long-term benefits.
One clinical trial demonstrated a 30-50% improvement in meibomian gland function in patients treated with LipiFlow. In another study, 86% of patients treated with LipiFlow had a significant reduction in dry eye symptoms.
Advantages of LipiFlow
Here are the reasons why LipiFlow is preferred in dry eye treatment:
- Targeted treatment: Directly addresses MBD-induced dry eye.
- Long-term effect: Treats the underlying cause rather than alleviating symptoms.
- Provides comfort to patients: More comfortable and effective than conventional treatments.
- Minimally invasive: It does not require a surgical procedure and is comfortable for the patient.
If we want to draw conclusions from all these, we can say that lipiflow is an effective and long-lasting treatment that is widely preferred in dry eye treatment. The results suggest that we are talking about an effective method to relieve the effects of dry eye, especially in the long term.
