Dry eye syndrome, a common and very annoying condition, can be due to a variety of causes. One typical reason for dry eyes is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), which leads to a quicker-than-normal evaporation of your tears. Often, the painful symptoms of dry eye then result, such as burning, itching, a gritty sensation and redness. LipiScan offers precise diagnosis of MGD, and LipiFlow provides effective treatment to bring relief from dry eye irritation. Another valuable diagnostic tool is the TearLab Osmolarity Test, which can determine if a patient truly suffers from dry eye, or if the symptoms are caused by a different eye condition.
What is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)?
Your Meibomian glands are located in your eyelids, where they secrete an oily fluid that enhances your tear film and slows the evaporation of your tears. This allows the tears to keep your cornea well lubricated for smooth and clear vision.
When the meibomian glands are either blocked or don’t function optimally, the lipid (fatty) layer of your tear film isn’t rich enough to maintain lasting moisture on your eyes. In addition to the rapid evaporation of tears, there is also greater friction between the cornea and eyelids. This is what’s behind the resulting symptoms of eye irritation.
Eye care professionals estimate that approximately 86% of patients diagnosed with dry eye symptoms have a poor quality tear film due to Meibomian Gland Dysfunction. Unfortunately, MGD is chronic and progressive; when left untreated, the symptoms generally worsen.
LipiScan: Precise Diagnosis of MGD
Your eye doctor will perform a thorough clinical exam to diagnose MGD, and the revolutionary LipiScan device upgrades the diagnosis with high definition imaging technology.
LipiScan, from Johnson & Johnson Vision, enables your eye care specialist to view the health of your meibomian glands with optimum accuracy. This diagnostic tool has changed the way medicine diagnoses dry eye syndrome. With efficiency and versatility, LipiScan is a small and lightweight device with a comfortable patient experience. Quick and painless, the procedure takes about one minute to image both lower eyelids.
How does LipiScan work?
Your eye doctor will use LipiScan to assess the structure of your meibomian glands. With dynamic surface illumination and adaptive transillumination technologies, the device creates a fast and intuitive image of your glands. LipiScan generates a multidimensional view that is clear and easy for your optometrist to analyze.
With this new equipment, the cause of dry eye can be identified with high accuracy. Consequently, your eye doctor can now prescribe the most appropriate treatment possible to alleviate your painful dry eye symptoms.
LipiFlow: Dry Eye Treatment
LipiFlow, by Johnson & Johnson Vision, is a Thermal Pulsation System that improves the function of meibomian glands. FDA-approved, safe and totally drug-free, it consists of a console and a single-use sterile Activator tool. Through gentle massage and heat, LipiFlow can enhance the quality of meibomian gland secretions. Eye doctors around the world are equipping their eye care clinics with this breakthrough technology to treat dry eye.
How does LipiFlow work?
Your eye doctor will begin by inserting numbing eye drops to ensure patient comfort. LipiFlow’s contoured eyepiece will then be placed gently over your cornea, vaulting over your eye’s surface in order to protect the delicate ocular structure. LipiFlow applies therapeutic heat and peristaltic energy pressure, with numerous sensors that regulate the temperature and pressure pulses. The combination of massage and heat works to expel any meibomian gland obstructions. The entire in-office procedure takes about 12 minutes.
TearLab Osmolarity System
TearLab measures the osmolarity of human tears in order to help confirm or rule out a diagnosis of dry eye syndrome. With tears, osmolarity refers to the concentration of salt in relation to water. In general, osmolarity is a significant indicator of ocular surface health, and a patient with normal osmolarity may not be suffering from dry eye. Numerous eye conditions share some of the same symptoms, such as allergic conjunctivitis, blepharitis, contact lens intolerance and computer vision syndrome. TearLab gives your eye doctor an objective, scientific way to identify whether your symptoms are truly caused by dry eye.
To perform the test, your optometrist uses a handheld sampler to collect a tiny amount of your tears. In just a few seconds, the TearLab reader then measures the osmolarity of this sample. The TearLab System is highly regarded for its level of precision. If the osmolarity reading is higher than normal, it points to a diagnosis of dry eye. Your eye doctor will then work with you to pinpoint the exact cause and the most appropriate treatment for your dry eye syndrome.
If you suffer from dry eye, it’s time to find out why – so you can see with clarity and comfort once again! The TearLab Osmolarity System can determine if dry eye is the real source of your irritation. LipiScan is the superior way to diagnose Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, one of the most common causes of Dry Eye Syndrome,and if MGD is the reason for your irritating symptoms, LipiFlow can treat this condition to alleviate your painful vision. Call today to schedule your appointment for a comprehensive eye exam with LipiScan.