Virginia Eye Consultants Announces LipiFlow® for the Treatment of Dry Eye Disease

Dry eye sufferers rejoice! Virginia Eye Consultants is excited to announce LipiFlow^® Thermal Pulsation System as a new treatment option for chronic evaporative dry eye disease.

Eighty-six percent of dry eye patients suffer from evaporative dry eye, which is caused by a blockage of the meibomian glands located behind the lower lids. Blocked meibomian glands prevent the eyes from secreting enough oily lipids to maintain a comfortable tear consistency.

When the delicate tear balance is disrupted by a lack of lipids, tears evaporate on the surface of the eye resulting in dry eye symptoms like burning, sensitivity to light, blurred vision and extreme discomfort in dry or windy conditions. Along with adversely affecting your quality of life and general eye health, evaporative dry eye disease can worsen over time, even with continued use of eye drops and other treatments.

LipiFlow^® Thermal Pulsation reduces the need for artificial tears and other prescription dry eye treatments by attending to the cause of evaporative dry eye symptoms, the meibomian glands themselves. Think of it as a “spa treatment” for your eyes. Using the Activator (eyepiece), our doctors apply gentle heat to the inner eyelid and light pressure to the outer eyelid. This warm massage stimulates the meibomian glands’ natural lipid production and helps restore the balance disrupted by evaporative dry eye.

Four weeks after a single LipiFlow^® procedure, 79 percent of patients saw a significant reduction in dry eye symptoms. And LipiFlow^®’s effects are long-lasting. Most people can wait eight to twelve months before coming back to the office for retreatment.

Do you think that LipiFlow^® Thermal Pulsation might be the answer for your dry eyes? Schedule a consultation with one of our expert eye care physicians to see if you are a good candidate. Like LASIK, LipiFlow^® is not covered by most insurance plans, but Virginia Eye Consultants offers a number of affordable financing options that may be right for you. Don’t let chronic dry eye disease stop you from living your life to the fullest. Call us today.