LIPIFLOW

Lipiflow is the gold standard procedure to evacuate clogged glands and motivate them to produce oil again. The goal of the procedure is to prevent additional gland loss, because MGD is progressive and once glands are lost they cannot be recovered. Symptoms are typically improved once the oil level increases in the tear film.

HOW IT WORKS:

An applicator, similar to a large contact lens, is placed into each eye. The applicator will heat the meibomian glands on the underside of the lid. This is exponentially more effective than an external heat source such as a warm compress. In addition to the internal heat there is compression on the outside of the lid, which induces a milking effect on the glands. The procedure lasts 12 minutes and is extremely comfortable. Most patients comment that it actually feels fantastic.

HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?

To maximize the longevity and benefit of the procedure, it is essential that we also treat what caused the glands to clog. We do this with diet and medical grade supplements to help thin out the secretions you are producing, and blink exercises, warm compresses, or NuLids at home to keep the oil moving.

In preliminary studies, when patients did nothing except Lipiflow, the benefits continued to improve for two months and then did not show any decrease until 12 months. At the 12 month mark, the oil quality and flow were still 3 times better than baseline, and symptoms were still two times less than baseline. However, we have very few patients that need a repeat procedure, as long as there at home routine is maintained.