Do You Have Dry Eye?
Every time you blink, tears are spread across the front surface of the eye. Your eyes depend on a flow of tears to provide constant moisture and lubrication to maintain eye health and comfort. When the volume or consistency of the tear system becomes imbalanced, you might experience dry eyes.
When tears do not adequately lubricate the eye, a person may endure:
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurred vision
- Burning sensation
- Discomfort in windy or dry conditions
- A gritty sensation
- Redness
- Eye Fatigue
Although the symptoms often start as minor inconveniences, the effects of dry eye are progressive and can worsen over time, potentially leading to severe discomfort or blurred vision.
(Do any of these symptoms sound familiar? Maybe it’s time to talk to Dr. Jani about LipiFlow®.)
Not Enough Tears?
Tears are necessary for your overall eye health.
Dry Eye occurs when the eyes do not produce sufficient tears properly or the tears evaporate too quickly. Without proper treatment, inadequate tear production can make daily activities frustrating, affecting your personal and professional life, from reading or watching TV, to driving or working on the computer.
The most common form of Dry Eye is the Evaporative form, which affects 8 out of every 10 dry eye cases (86%). This indicates a shortage of oil on the surface of your tears, leading them to evaporate faster than normal. This shortage of tear oil is caused by a blockage in your eyelid (Meibomian) glands and is referred to as Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD).
LipiFlow®: A Different Approach
In a clinical study, 79% patients reported improvement of their overall dry eye symptoms within four weeks, ranging from 10% to 100% improvement.
LipiFlow® is a new procedure designed to treat the root cause of Evaporative Dry Eye, blocked Meibomian glands. Opening and clearing these blocked glands can allow them to resume natural production of lipids (oils) needed for a healthy tear film.
Some treatments attempt to add more liquid to your tears, but without the complex natural oil, tears continue to evaporate faster than produced.
At the heart of the LipiFlow® Thermal Pulsation System is the Activator (eyepiece). The Activator uses patented, precisely controlled heat applied to the inner eyelid with adaptive pressure encouraging your body to resume the natural production of lipids (oils) needed for your tear film. Its single-use design and built-in sensors ensure a safe, sterile treatment. The treatment is performed in a doctor’s office — and in some cases, on the same day as your evaluation.
Imagine returning to doing the things you enjoy, without worrying about your eyes. LipiFlow® could be your first step to relief.
Patients who have questions about dry eye treatments and Lipiflow can contact our experts and set up a face to face consultation to learn more. Now serving patients in both the Culpeper & Fredericksburg, VA areas.