Dry Eyes – Southwest Eye Surgeons

What is dry eye?

Dry eye (Meibomian gland dysfunction – MGD) is a condition where your eyes do not make enough tears, or when your tears don’t work correctly. This leads to eyes feeling uncomfortable and may also cause vision impairments.

Dry eye is a common condition that affects millions of Americans. Fortunately there are many treatment options associated with dry eye relief.

dry eye symptoms

Who Is At Risk

Dry eyes is a common condition, but you may be at higher risk if:

Common Treatments

Explore Advanced Treatment Options at
Southwest Eye Surgeons

At Southwest Eye Surgeons, we have 2 incredible and cutting edge devices that are used to treat Dry Eyes also know as Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)

What Is LipiFlow® Dry Eye Treatment?

LipiFlow® is an FDA-approved treatment for Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) — the leading cause of dry eye. LipiFlow® treats MGD by warming and massaging the inside of the eyelids to restore healthy oil production and improve tear quality.

Patients are evaluated to determine whether they suffer from MGD using a LipiScan, an imaging device specifically designed to view the Meibomian glands. If a patient is a candidate for LipiFlow, the treatment can be administered the very same day.

Prior to the procedure, an anesthetic drop is placed in your eyes.
When your eyes are fully numb, the doctor will place the LipiFlow sterile, single-use activators under and over your eyelids without actually touching the surface of the eye.
Once the activators are in place, the procedure takes about 12 minutes. The process begins with the activators exerting a constant pressure for the first two minutes as they warm to a temperature which dissolves the gland obstructions.
The activators cycle through different levels of pressure which provides the massage that starts the natural flow of oil.

What Are the Benefits of LipiFlow®?

After a LipiFlow® treatment, the Meibomian glands begin normal production of oils that are necessary for maintaining high-quality tears. These oils keep the tears from evaporating too quickly, therefore improving the overall health of the surface of the eye. In addition, a reduction in dry eye may improve visual clarity. It usually takes about six to eight weeks to achieve optimal results, but relief can last up to 12 months.

What Is the Recovery Time After LipiFlow®?

There is no downtime with LipiFlow treatment. Patients can return to their regular activities immediately after the procedure.

What is OptiLight?

OptiLight is a light-based treatment that uses precise, intense broad spectrum light to address dry eye disease due to meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). MGD is the most common cause of dry eye disease, accounting for about 86% of cases. The treatment addresses inflammation, which is one of the key underlying factors in MGD. OptiLight was specifically developed to reach the delicate contours of the treated area safely, effectively and gently using the OPT™ technology.

What is the OPT™ Technology?

Lumenis’ patented technology OPT™ (Optimal Pulse Technology) transforms the use of light and allows targeted, uniform, precise, and controlled treatment. Specifically designed for the delicate area below the eye, OPT™ safely and effectively breaks the vicious cycle of inflammation associated with dry eye.

How does OptiLight work?

OptiLight is a multi-factorial treatment for a multi-factorial disease. It addresses the disease by reducing major sources of inflammation leading to dry eye disease such as abnormal blood vessels, Demodex mites, and pro-inflammatory agents. OptiLight restores the function of meibomian glands and delays evaporation of the tear film.

What does treatment with OptiLight involve?

Treatment protocol typically consists of 4 sessions, at 2 to 4 weeks apart:

During treatment, your practitioner will cover your eyes with shields and apply a thin layer of coupling gel on the treatment area.
During treatment, light is applied on the skin below the eyes, most patients report minimal discomfort.
Each session takes only 10-15 minutes. There is no downtime, you can resume your daily activities immediately.

When should I expect an improvement?

Patients typically report improvement after 2 to 3 treatments. For optimal results, 4 sessions are advised. To ensure long-term results, a maintenance session is recommended every 6-12 months.

What should I expect after treatment?

You may experience some redness immediately following treatment. This will usually disappear within a few hours. You can return to your daily activities and apply makeup straight away in most cases. You will be advised to stay out of direct sunlight for a few days and to apply sunscreen.

STOP THE DRY EYE VICIOUS CYCLE OF INFLAMMATION WITH OPTILIGHT

Reduce Inflammatory Mediators

Decrease the level of pro-inflammatory mediators to inhibit inflammation.

Improve Tear Breakup Time

Significantly boost tear break up time and decrease osmolarity.

Alleviate Abnormal Blood Vessels

Destroy the abnormal blood vessels that perpetuate inflammation.

Restore Meibomian Glands

Improve meibomian gland morphology and functionality.

Decrease Demodex

Decrease the population of Demodex mites, which stimulate infection and boost the bacterial load on eyelids.

Dr. Parminderpal Singh is a board certified ophthalmologist who has 2 eye clinics serving several communities in Arizona, including Phoenix, Peoria, Sun City, Sun City West, Surprise, Scottsdale, Avondale, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Chandler, Tempe, Mesa, Tolleson, Gilbert and Glendale. Southwest Eye Surgeons offers an array of services including Cataract Surgery, Eyelid Surgery, Cosmetic Surgery, Dry Eye treatment, Laser Eye Operation, Glaucoma treatment, Diabetic and Macular Degeneration evaluation, to name a few ophthalmology care issues. We provide these services in a friendly, relaxed and comfortable environment. As an eye doctor, Dr. Parminderpal Singh and staff provide the highest quality care to every patient.