Blog post by: Eye Physicians of Long Beach
Dry eyes occur when your eyes don’t produce adequate tears or make poor-quality tears that evaporate too quickly. The symptoms of dry eye can impact your vision, making it difficult to enjoy leisure activities and perform tasks such as reading, driving, and using digital devices.
Fortunately, treatments such as Envision and LipiFlow can offer a lasting solution and improve your quality of life. Keep reading to learn more about how LipiFlow and Envision can help treat dry eyes!
What are Dry Eyes?
Your tears comprise three layers:
- Mucus layer: The inner layer that helps tears stick to the surface of your eyes
- Watery layer: The middle layer that nourishes your eyes and keeps them moisturized
- Oily layer: The outer layer that prevents your tears from evaporating too fast
The three layers work together to keep your eyes healthy and comfortable and your vision clear. If there’s a problem with any of these layers, you may develop dry eyes.
Various factors can disrupt a healthy tear film and cause dry eyes, including:
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)
Meibomian gland dysfunction is a leading cause of dry eyes. Meibomian glands are the glands that line the edges of your eyelids.
They secrete the oily layer of your tear film. MGD occurs when your Meibomian glands don’t produce sufficient oil or the oil is of poor quality, and this can happen when the glands become clogged with thick secretions.
When your Meibomian glands are blocked, less oil is secreted into your tear film, which can make your tears evaporate rapidly and cause dry eyes.
Blepharitis
Blepharitis is a chronic inflammation of the eyelids that can cause or exacerbate dry eyes. It can occur when you have too much bacteria on your eyelids.
You may also get blepharitis due to an infestation of Demodex mites. Other times, blepharitis can develop as a result of clogged Meibomian glands.
Ocular Rosacea
Ocular rosacea is an eye condition that causes inflammation in your eyes, leading to redness and dry eyes.
What are the Symptoms of Dry Eyes?
With dry eyes, you may experience symptoms such as:
- Redness
- Blurred or double vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Eye fatigue
- Strings of mucus around or in the eyes
- Stinging or burning sensation
- Pain when wearing contact lenses
- A gritty or scratchy feeling like something is in the eyes
- Too many tears, which is the body’s response to dry, irritated eyes
How Do Lipiflow and Envision Treat Dry Eyes?
Unlike conventional treatments that usually provide temporary relief, Lipiflow and Envision address the root cause of dry eyes, not just the symptoms, offering long-term relief. These non-invasive, in-office treatments are safe, effective, suitable for all skin types, and require no downtime.
What is LipiFlow?
LipiFlow is an advanced treatment that addresses Meibomian gland dysfunction. It uses therapeutic heat and gentle pressure to relieve blockages, restore the normal flow of oil, and improve tear quality.
The treatment involves placing single-use activators over and under your eyelids. These activators safely heat your eyelids, which warms thickened oils in your Meibomian glands and makes them easier to express.
At the same time, the activators exert pressure on your eyelids, helping unblock clogged Meibomian glands and release oil. The process enables Meibomian glands to resume the natural production of oil needed for a healthy tear film, relieving dry eyes.
One treatment session can provide significant relief from dry eyes. But if you have severe dry eyes, you may require more sessions to achieve optimal results.
What is Envision?
Envision is a breakthrough treatment that leverages two powerful technologies, Lumecca-I and Forma-I, to target the underlying cause of dry eyes. Together, they offer a comprehensive approach to treating dry eyes and enhance your overall eye health.
By addressing Meibomian gland dysfunction and inflammatory causes of dry eyes, these cutting-edge technologies considerably improve the quality of your tears and ocular comfort. Along with alleviating dry eyes, both procedures also reverse the signs of aging in your eyelids.
They stimulate collagen production, which smooths out wrinkles and lines and enhances skin elasticity and firmness for a refreshed, more youthful appearance.
Forma-I
Forma-I utilizes bipolar radio frequency (RF) energy to gently heat clogged Meibomian glands in your eyelids. The heat softens and melts the oils blocking your glands, which encourages oil production and improves the quality of your tear film.
Pressure from the movement of the Forma-I applicator allows for trapped oils to be expressed, restoring natural oil flow. Combined, the heat and pressure restore Meibomian gland function, vital for maintaining a healthy tear film.
Not only does this provide relief from dry eyes, but it also enhances your overall eye comfort.
Lumecca-I
Lumecca-I is especially beneficial for patients with ocular rosacea and blepharitis. The treatment uses intense pulsed light (IPL) to constrict blood vessels responsible for inflammation and tackle bacteria and Demodex around your eyelids.
By substantially reducing inflammation, bacteria, and Demodex mites, Lumecca-I provides lasting relief from redness, dryness, irritation, and other dry eye symptoms. Lumecca-I further increases the effectiveness of Envision, making the treatment a comprehensive solution for long-term dry eye relief.
Depending on the severity of your dry eyes, you may require 4 to 6 treatment sessions for optimal results.
Advanced Dry Eye Treatment for Lasting Relief
Eye Physicians of Long Beach is excited to offer Lipiflow and Envision. These highly effective treatments can provide long-lasting relief from dry eyes, helping you enjoy clear, comfortable vision and healthy eyes.
Are you tired of dealing with dry eyes? Schedule your appointment at Eye Physicians of Long Beach in Long Beach, CA, today to determine whether LipiFlow or Envision is right for you.