Dry Eye Center of Arizona
Dry Eye Center of Arizona
3805 E Bell Rd
Suite 1800
Phoenix, AZ 85032
CALL TODAY FOR AN APPOINTMENT
Phone (602) 549-2020
Fax: (602) 325-5536
dryeyecenter@gmail.com
Or use our contact form.
Office Hours
Our office is open during the following hours:
Mon-Friday: 9AM - 6PM
Doctor's Hours: By Appointment Only
LipiFlow Treatment
Ask the Dry Eye Doctor
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Treatment for Dry Eye & MGD
IPL or Intense Pulsed Light therapy derives from dermatology where it has been used for several decades to treat a variery of skin conditions including facial rosacea, vascular and pigmented skin lesions. as well as for skin rejuvination. Scientific evidence suggests that IPL stimulates fibroblast activity in the skin. These cells produce new collagen which is thought to be responsible for skin tightening and rejuvination.
More recently, IPL has been shown to be extremely effective in managing meibomian gland dysfunction, dry eye and ocular forms of rosacea. We utilize a state-of-the-art Lumenis Optima® M22 which is considered a standard of care, class-leading device. Treatment is accomplished in 4 sessions scheduled approximately 3 to 5 weeks apart. IPL is applied to the skin surrounding the eyes which are protected by special shields. Sessions last about 10 minutes and are quite comfortable. IPL is a safe and proven technology.
A growing body of scientific evidence supports the effectiveness of intense pulsed light in treating dry eye and MGD. IPL is thought to work by sealing abnormal blood vessels that leak inflammatory mediators into the ocular tissues. Other effects observed include improved meibomian gland function, improved tear stablity and patient comfort. Results are usually seen by the second or third treatment and have been extremely impressive for the majority of patients. Many patients report dramatically improved comfort and often can resume contact lens wear after treatment. Retreatments or "touch-ups" may be performed in six months to a year if necessary. For some patients, the greatest benefits occur when IPL is combined with procedures such as Lipiflow or Sight Sciences TearCare®.
LipiFlow® Thermal Pulsation Evaluation and Treatment
Dry eye is a complex disorder. Proper diagnosis and treatment requires a systematic approach and the latest technology. We have incorporated the revolutionary J&J TearScience® system and advanced technology from Oculus into one of the most comprehensive dry eye assessments available anywhere. All patients undergo a comprehensive eye examination either by their referring doctor or in our office.
We start by obtaining a complete health and ocular history including a specially validated dry eye lifestyle questionnaire. This helps us identify the causes and environmental conditions that contribute to your specific problem. We will carefully examine your eyes and eyelids using a microscope looking at your meibomian (oil) glands and the quality and stability of you tear film. We will also fully evaluate your ocular surface, which is often compromised in dry eye.
All dry eye patients undergo non-invasive breakup time testing, a direct measure of tear stability and measurement of tear volume and flow. We will evaluate meibomian gland health and integrity using Oculus meibography to image your meibomian glands in real-time.
Next, our LipiView® interferometer is the first device of its kind to assess your tear film by capturing images that measure the actual thickness of the lipid (oil) component with nanometer accuracy. This process is non-invasive and takes about five minutes.
When we’re done, we will know virtually everything about your ocular surface and tears. Understanding the cause of your dry eye will help us determine the best treatment options.
LipiFlow®: An Effective Approach
LipiFlow® is a procedure designed to treat the root cause of Evaporative Dry Eye, blocked Meibomian glands. Opening and clearing these blocked glands can allow them to resume natural production of lipids (oils) needed for a healthy and stable tear film.
In a published clinical study, 79% patients reported improvement of their overall dry eye symptoms within four weeks, ranging from 10% to 100% improvement.
For some patients improvement can be rapid and dramatic. For others improvement may take weeks or even months. Soma patients do not experience benefit even when improvement in meibomian gland funciton is evident. However, the majority of patients experience signficant improvement.
At the heart of the LipiFlow® Thermal Pulsation System is the Activator (eyepiece). The Activator uses patented, precisely controlled heat applied to the inner eyelid with adaptive pressure encouraging your body to resume the natural production of lipids (oils) needed for your tear film. Its single-use design and built-in sensors ensure a safe, sterile treatment. The treatment is performed in a our office — and in some cases, on the same day as your evaluation.
Treating dry eye effectively can be challenging. The disorder is complex and often has several causes. Current thinking is that more than 85% of all patients who suffer from dry eye have excessive tear evaporation as primary or contributing cause. Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) results in a lack of lipid and is the primary cause of evaporative dry eye. Traditional treatments for MGD including warm compresses and lid massage are generally of limited effectiveness due to the anatomy of the lids contributing to rapid loss of heat and inadequate glad expression when attempted at home. LipiFlow® is a breakthrough technology which has become a standard of care for evaporative dry eye.
TO SEE IF YOU ARE A CANDIDATE FOR IPL OR LIPIFLOW THERMAL PULSATION TREATMENT SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY - 602-549-2020
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