Novel Dry Eye Treatment Now Available at Missouri Eye

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Posted by: Missouri Eye Institute in Blog on April 18, 2022

If you suffer from dry eye syndrome, you’re familiar with the gritty sensation, the blurriness, and redness even a mild case creates. Missouri Eye Institute is constantly investing in innovative treatments for patients with this condition. That’s why we’re proud to introduce the Systane iLux® treatment by Alcon. The technology gives our patients an effective option for treating chronic dry eye. 

Dry eye disease is one of the most common conditions treated in an eyecare practice. One of the most common causes of Dry Eye is meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), which accounts for as much as 85 percent of cases.

Why is treating dry eye important?

The tear film of the eye is vital to keeping the surface of the eye hydrated, comfortable, and free of dangerous bacteria. The oil produced by the meibomian glands along the edges of your eyelids is an important component of tears, coating the surface of the eye to hold in moisture. 

With MGD, the meibomian glands become inflamed, clogged, or simply don’t produce enough oil, causing tears to dry too quickly. Severe dry eye is of particular concern to our LASIK surgery patients, who may still have blurriness from dry eye disease, even after their refractive errors are corrected. By treating MGD, they get the benefit of experiencing and appreciating the best visual outcome possible.

How iLux dry eye treatment works

The iLux is a handheld device designed for in-office treatment of MGD. It applies gentle heat and massage to warm the outer and inner eyelid along the lash line where the meibomian glands lie. This helps soften and release the waxy secretions clogging the glands, allowing oils to flow to the tear film as intended. 

• First, your eye doctor will equip the iLux device with a disposable smart tip before your procedure, then position your eyelid between the soft treatment pads of the smart tip. 

• The device focuses LED-based heat on the meibomian glands for a few minutes to melt the wax blockage.

• After an adequate amount of heat, the pressure/massage is applied to the eyelid to express oil and encourage the oil to flow more freely to your tear film.

• Your doctor will adjust the heat and pressure according to your treatment needs and comfort level.

The entire iLux dry eye treatment takes just 8 to 12 minutes and is well tolerated. Patients can drive themselves from their appointment and return to regular activities immediately after treatment. 

What to expect after iLux treatment

It takes about two weeks for the meibomian glands to replenish after iLux, at which time you and your doctor can discuss whether a follow-up treatment would be beneficial. Because every pair of eyes is different, some patients may require multiple treatments over the course of a few months to most effectively treat severe MGD.

How long the results last will also differ from one person to another, but most patients can expect noticeably fewer dry eye symptoms for up to one year after treatment. If you suffer dry eyes from meibomian gland dysfunction, ask the care team at Missouri Eye Institute whether iLux is for you.

Missouri Eye Institute has one of the most comprehensive dry eye programs in the area. Call us at (800) 383-3831 to schedule a thorough eye exam or dry eye screening, or visit MissouriEye.com to learn more about our services.