Dry Eye Clinic
Dry eye is a condition in which there are insufficient tears to lubricate and nourish the eye. Tears are necessary for maintaining the health of the front surface of the eye and for providing clear vision. People with dry eyes either do not produce enough tears or have a poor quality of tears. Dry eye is a common and often chronic problem, particularly in older adults.
With each blink of the eyelids, tears are spread across the front surface of the eye, known as the cornea. Tears provide lubrication, reduce the risk of eye infection, wash away foreign matter in the eye, and keep the surface of the eyes smooth and clear. Excess tears in the eyes flow into small drainage ducts, in the inner corners of the eyelids, which drain in the back of the nose.
BlephEx
What is Blepharitis?
Blepharitis is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the eyelids caused by an overgrowth of normal bacteria living along the lid and the base of the eyelashes. Anyone can get blepharitis at any age, but the prevalence increases with age, since as we get older, we make fewer natural antibodies in our tears. This overgrowth of bacteria causes crusting along the eyelid, and creates a sticky biofilm that harbors bacterial exotoxins. Since the eyelid margins are difficult to clean, this overgrowth of bacteria, scurf and biofilm can build up over many years. The sugary biofilm allows even more bacteria to flourish, not only causing a multitude of irritating symptoms, but eventually chronic inflammation, due to the inflammatory nature of exotoxins. The inflammation, in turn, adversely affects all of the structures in the eyelid, namely, the tear glands.
What are the symptoms of blepharitis?
The common symptoms of blepharitis are:
- Itching or scratchy eyes
- Redness/inflammation
- Foreign body sensation
- Mattering
- Tearing
- Dry eyes
- Crusting
- Eye rubbing
How is BlephEx different?
With BlephEx® the doctor thoroughly and precisely eliminates the scurf and bacterial debris and biofilm that builds up along the lid margin. These are the main causes of inflammatory lid disease. Properly performed, BlephEx® will reduce or alleviate these chronic and debilitating symptoms. Treatments are typically repeated at regular monthly intervals depending on severity of the disease. By eliminating the inflammatory etiology of blepharitis, the overall health of the eyelid is improved. Patients can then begin to produce more of their own tears and finally enjoy a life free from the chronic and irritating symptoms associated with blepharitis and its subsequent dry eye disease.
Optima IPL
What is Optima IPL?
Unlike conventional treatments that work within the eye, Optima IPL uses advanced technology to deliver a controlled amount of intense pulsed light around the eye. With every pulse of light, this first-of-its-kind, energy-based therapy works to control the inflammatory process and to stop the vicious cycle of dry eye due to MGD – displacing the need for medications and providing long-lasting results.
How does it work?
With IPL technology, light pulses penetrate the tissue and create heat, targeting the abnormal vessels that are the root cause of the inflammation. The body’s natural reaction to the treatment removes the abnormal vessels and heals the inflammation threatening the skin and eyelid. IPL technology treats your skin and eyelid inflammation while improving overall skin appearance.
Treatment Schedule
Skin and eyelid inflammation can be relieved with as few as 1-2 treatments. Typically 4 sessions with 3-4 weeks in between are needed to achieve optimal results. Following the full treatment session, it is recommended to consult on maintenance treatments for optimal long term results (usually once every 6-12 months).
Advantages of the Optima IPL
