Dry Eye
Semel Vision Care & Aesthetics
Premium Eye Care in El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, & Redondo Beach
Got dry eye? There’s a new treatment for that
Thirty million Americans suffer from Meibomian gland dysfunction, which causes the majority of dry eye cases. Learn how the LipiFlow® Thermal Pulsation System can help address it—in the blink of an eye.
Who doesn’t love fresh blooms, breezy weather, sunny skies—and burning eyes, if you have a condition known as dry eye, which can be exacerbated by the itching and tearing brought on by seasonal allergies.
What many longtime dry eye sufferers may not realize is that it’s often caused by Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), which occurs when the tiny Meibomian glands in eyelids become stopped up and unable to protect the tear film—a thin layer of fluid that covers the outer surface of the eye.
While MGD has traditionally been hard to treat, there’s a breakthrough therapy that’s making it far simpler to do: the LipiFlow® Thermal Pulsation System, which uses a cutting-edge device to heat up and massage away the blockage in just 12 minutes, right in your eye doctor’s office.
Never heard of MGD? Let us break it down for you
Although you may never have heard of this disorder, it’s actually quite common: More than 20 million Americans have dry eye. And according to one 2012 study published in the journal Cornea, 86% of study participants with dry eye also had symptoms of MGD.
The science of blinking is downright fascinating: Every time we do so, we activate the muscles around our Meibomian glands, squeezing each one and causing the functional glands to secrete a droplet into the tear film.
Those droplets fall into your tear film and create its lipid layer, or the outermost layer. “When you’re not blinking fully or frequently enough, the lipid layer stays stagnant, turning from a nice olive oil consistency to more of a thicker oil.” This blocks the gland, leading to the symptoms we classically associate with dry eye, such as burning and itching.
If a Meibomian gland remains blocked with thick, waxy oil for an extended period, it can eventually deteriorate, causing your dry eye symptoms to worsen. Your tear film has three layers—lipid, aqueous, and mucous—and while MGD typically affects the lipid layer, issues with the other layers can also lead to the same burning, itching, and discomfort.
Anyone can develop MGD, but some individuals are more susceptible. For example, contact lens wearers are at a higher risk, as are people who spend long hours on electronic devices. “Both activities significantly reduce your blink rate. When you’re working on a computer or staring at a screen, your blink rate can drop by half.
Postmenopausal women, as well as those with autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, are also more likely to experience MGD. Certain medications, such as beta-blockers or antihistamines, can increase the risk as well. Even environmental factors like dry, windy weather can exacerbate the condition, triggering the typical symptoms of dryness and irritation.
Why the Future Looks Bright for Dry Eye Sufferers
Historically, treating blocked Meibomian glands involved manually squeezing the eyelid, a process that was often uncomfortable and not always effective.
But the LipiFlow® Thermal Pulsation System** has made a significant breakthrough in MGD treatment.
Recent research published in *Clinical Ophthalmology* demonstrates the device’s effectiveness. The study found that treatment with LipiFlow increased the amount of time contact lens wearers with MGD could comfortably wear their lenses by an average of four hours.
Want to know how it works? The procedure is quick and straightforward, involving just four simple steps:
Initial Exam
Your eye doctor will begin by using the LipiScan imaging device to assess the condition of your Meibomian glands. This helps in diagnosing any issues and may involve additional tests if necessary.
Treatment Decision
If it’s confirmed that you have MGD, you can move forward with the LipiFlow treatment, which takes just 12 minutes. Before starting, your doctor will apply numbing drops (the same ones used during routine eye exams) to minimize any potential discomfort.
Placement of Activators
The next step involves placing the LipiFlow activators—single-use, sterile dome-shaped devices—on your eyes. These activators have a vaulted shape that helps protect the corneas while delivering treatment to the inner eyelids, where the Meibomian glands are located.
Thermal Pulsation
Using Vector Thermal Pulsation technology, the activators gently heat the glands and apply pressure, effectively massaging out blockages. This combination of heat and pressure liquefies and clears the obstructions causing your dry eye symptoms.
While some patients may experience mild discomfort during the procedure, most find it very manageable.
Once the procedure is completed, there’s no impact on your vision—you can drive and resume your normal activities right away.
While many patients notice symptom relief immediately, the full benefits typically improve over the next six to eight weeks.
About Dr. Semel
Board-Certified El Segundo Ophthalmologist
Dr. Jane Semel is skilled, respected, and board-certified and fellowship trained in Ophthalmology, and is licensed to practice in the state of California. She specializes in the treatment and prevention of eye disease.
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