Dry Eye is most often defined based on the quantity or quality of your tears. Millions suffer from Dry Eye, a chronic disease that can worsen over time. There are two forms of Dry Eye – Evaporative Dry Eye and Aqueous Dry Eye. Eight out of 10 individuals (86%) suffer from the evaporative form of Dry Eye, caused by Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) or blocked glands that create a deficiency in the oil layer of the tear film.
The LipiFlow Thermal Pulsation System is a revolutionary way to treat Evaporative Dry Eye caused by Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD). Opening and clearing blocked glands allows the body to resume the natural production of lipids (oils) needed for the tear film. The result may eliminate the uncomfortable symptoms associated with Evaporative Dry Eye.
LipiFlow Thermal Pulsation technology applies controlled heat using the LipiFlow Activator, which consists of a combined lid warmer and eyecup. After the doctor or technician applies numbing drops to your eyes, the lid warmer is applied under the eyelid, generating heat directed onto both the upper and lower inner eyelid surfaces. Behind the eyecup, an inflatable bladder pulses against the outer eyelids. The disposable fits under the eyelid, simultaneously delivering heat and pressure to both the upper and lower lids. It does this without damage to the glands or the delicate structures of the eye. LipiFlow treats the upper and lower eyelids simultaneously.
Treatment is usually only 12 minutes per eye and is performed in the office under continuous monitoring. It is virtually painless, and some patients consider it a spa-like experience.
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Call us to schedule your consultation today at (213)-680-1551.
For more information, please visit http://www.lipiflow.com
Dry Eye Disease is a multifactorial chronic condition in which the eyes either do not produce enough tears or produce tears of insufficient quality to keep the ocular surface adequately lubricated. Unlike occasional eye dryness that clears up on its own, Dry Eye Disease tends to be progressive — meaning it worsens over time if left untreated. Millions of Americans suffer from chronic Dry Eye, often managing symptoms with temporary solutions like artificial tears without ever addressing the underlying cause. At East West Eye Institute, our advanced dry eye treatment program is designed to identify the root cause of your condition and provide lasting, effective relief.
Dry Eye Disease presents in two primary forms: Aqueous Dry Eye and Evaporative Dry Eye. Aqueous Dry Eye occurs when the lacrimal glands don’t produce a sufficient volume of tears. Evaporative Dry Eye — which is by far the more common form, affecting approximately 86% of dry eye patients — occurs when tears evaporate too quickly due to a deficiency in the oil layer of the tear film. This oil deficiency is caused by Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), a condition in which the tiny oil-producing glands along the eyelid margins become blocked and can no longer release the lipids necessary for a stable, long-lasting tear film. Properly diagnosing which type of dry eye you have is essential to selecting the most effective treatment.
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) is the leading cause of Evaporative Dry Eye Disease. The Meibomian glands are a row of small oil-secreting glands located along the upper and lower eyelid margins. Under normal conditions, they produce a steady supply of lipids (oils) that coat the surface of each tear, slowing evaporation and keeping the eyes comfortable and well-lubricated throughout the day. When these glands become blocked or dysfunctional, the protective oil layer thins or disappears, causing tears to evaporate rapidly and the ocular surface to become irritated, inflamed, and dry. Over time, MGD can also cause permanent damage to the glands themselves if not treated — making early intervention important.
Dry Eye Disease can present with a wide variety of uncomfortable symptoms, including persistent dryness, burning or stinging sensations, itching, redness, grittiness, discharge, light sensitivity, excessive tearing, blurred or fluctuating vision, and general eye fatigue. Many patients with Dry Eye also struggle with specific visual tasks such as reading, driving, or working on a computer screen, and find it difficult or impossible to wear contact lenses comfortably. Symptoms are frequently worse later in the day or after prolonged screen use. If you are experiencing any combination of these symptoms on a regular basis, you may be a candidate for advanced dry eye treatment.
LipiFlow is an FDA-cleared, clinically proven thermal pulsation treatment designed specifically to address Evaporative Dry Eye caused by Meibomian Gland Dysfunction. The LipiFlow Thermal Pulsation System works by simultaneously delivering precisely controlled heat to the inner eyelid surfaces while applying gentle, rhythmic pressure to the outer eyelids. This combination of warmth and pulsation softens the hardened oils and debris that have accumulated within the blocked Meibomian glands, clearing the obstructions and allowing the glands to resume their natural oil production. Once the glands are open and functioning again, the tear film stabilizes, and the uncomfortable symptoms of Evaporative Dry Eye can be significantly reduced or fully resolved. Unlike eye drops, which only temporarily mask symptoms, LipiFlow targets and treats the underlying gland dysfunction.
Over-the-counter artificial tears and at-home warm compresses can offer temporary symptom relief, but they do not address the root cause of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction. Eye drops simply supplement tear volume or lubrication without unclogging the blocked glands. While warm compresses can help loosen some of the oils within the glands, they lack the consistent, calibrated heat and pressure of LipiFlow’s Thermal Pulsation technology, making them far less effective at fully clearing blocked glands — particularly in more advanced cases of MGD. LipiFlow is a clinical-grade intervention that delivers results that home remedies simply cannot replicate, often providing meaningful relief after just a single treatment session.
LipiFlow treatment is performed right in the office at East West Eye Institute. Before the procedure begins, your doctor or technician will apply numbing drops to ensure your comfort. The single-use LipiFlow Activator — a disposable device that functions as both a lid warmer and eyecup — is then gently positioned under your eyelid. The device delivers controlled, therapeutic heat directly to the inner eyelid surfaces while an inflatable bladder simultaneously pulses against the outer eyelids, clearing the blocked glands without putting any pressure on the delicate structures of the eye itself. Both the upper and lower lids are treated at the same time. Each eye is treated for approximately 12 minutes, and the entire appointment is conducted under continuous monitoring by our clinical team.
LipiFlow is designed to be a gentle, comfortable experience. With numbing drops applied beforehand, the vast majority of patients report feeling little to no discomfort during the procedure. In fact, many patients describe the sensation as warm and soothing — with some comparing it to a relaxing spa treatment for the eyes. There is no downtime following LipiFlow, and most patients are able to resume their normal daily activities immediately after leaving the office.
The first step is scheduling a dry eye consultation with our team. During your evaluation, we will assess the health of your Meibomian glands, measure the quality of your tear film, and determine whether LipiFlow or another advanced dry eye treatment is the most appropriate option for your specific condition. To schedule your consultation, call us at (213) 680-1551 or book an appointment online.
Discover exceptional expertise and compassionate care at East West Eye Institute, the top choice for vision care in Ventura County, serving the community for over three decades.
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