Dry Eye or MGD?
It’s time to change your outlook on dry eye.
There are roughly 30 million people in the United States and over 300 million worldwide who have been diagnosed with dry eye. Most have learned to live with eye discomfort and have become dependent on drops or other treatment methods that only offer temporary relief. This has been due to a lack of understanding that the root cause of most dry eye (86%) is now known to be a chronic and progressive condition, Meibomian Gland Dysfunction or MGD.
Q&A with Dr. Claudio Lagunas
Dr. Lagunas Answers Your Eye Care Questions
I understand you are one of the few practices in your area with the LipiFlow technology, can you tell us more about that?
LipiFlow is a treatment for meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). If we see that a patient has an obstruction of their glands…each person has about 25-35 glands in the upper and lower lid. If those glands are blocked for any reason, then the production of oil in the tear is decreased. If enough of those glands get blocked, then this can cause some serious problems.
Some of the new research shows that about 86% of patients with Dry Eye symptoms actually have MGD. Again, once we have diagnosed the glands are blocked, then we will use LipiFlow, the only FDA approved treatment for unblocking the glands. So far we have had some fantastic results from patients who have undergone the LipiFlow procedure.
MGD occurs when there is a compromise to the function and/or structure of the meibomian glands in the eyelids that produce the protective oily layer of the tear film. These glands can become blocked over time and can no longer produce oils needed for healthy tears. This blockage results in rapid evaporation of your tears and can lead to irritation, discomfort and if not treated, gland dropout.
MGD Identification
A series of evaluations will be performed to determine if you have MGD. This can include a LipiView® tear film and gland imaging and a meibomian gland evaluation. Knowing what is causing your Dry Eye will help your doctor determine the best treatment option.
Now, with the breakthrough LipiFlow® technology, it’s possible to directly treat the root cause of MGD.
Treating MGD with LipiFlow
While there are multiple choices available for treating MGD, LipiFlow is the only FDA-cleared device for removing gland blockages and restoring gland function. Through advances in the application of Vectored Thermal Pulsation (VTPTM) technology, the LipiFlow treatment utilizes a patented algorithm of heat applied to the inner eyelids and massage to remove the obstructions in your meibomian glands.
Q&A with Dr. Claudio Lagunas
Dr. Lagunas Answers Your Eye Care Questions
Is there anything else you would like your patient’s to know about Dry Eye?
I want each patient to know that we are the fifth office in Houston to offer have the LipiView, which is part of the new LipiFlow technology. LipiFlow is the treatment, but we are actually using the LipiView as a screening for every patient who comes in, and this lets us view the glands and see if there is a problem.
Many patients don’t require the full-blown treatment with LipiFlow, they may only require specific drops, or the heat mask. We really want to make sure Dry Eye or MGD is detected as early as possible and LipiView helps us do that for every patient.
We want everyone suffering from Dry Eye symptoms to know they can come in and get the proper diagnosis and treatment. Relief is possible.
Contact us today for your dry eye assessment exam.
