LipiFlow device - what the????

[Irina]

http://www.dryeyezone.com/talk/forum...and-evaluation
http://www.dryeyezone.com/talk/forum...tment-and-expe

[Kalyn]

Just wondering, my first try with lipiflow showed no significant results to help my MGD. Has anyone done lipiflow more than once? What should my next option be? I am already on restasis, using a humidifier and taking fish oil supplements.

[icenet]

After receiving the email that said Tear Science was going to reduce its pricing on Lipiflow by 50%, I called my closest provider which was UCLA. They said the current price of $750 per eye was going down to $600. Not exactly 50%. Has anyone found similar pricing?

[Bibliogirl]

The doctor said I had very little oil coming out of my glands. I also was having an allergic reaction to something environmentally (I'm new to this area) which really compounded my problems. I am feeling relief since the procedure. I can look at the computer and TV longer. My eyes feel less gritty. So, I am cautiously optimistic. Tomorrow will be two weeks since the procedure.

[savino]

.............

[Bibliogirl]

Hi all,

So glad that I found this forum.

Back in June, I began having problems wearing my contacts -I'm in my 40's and have worn contacts since I was 14 - and my lids looked a little swollen. The doctor said "dry eyes!" and I began a short course of steroids along with Restasis. Things seemed to settle down in July and I was able to wear my contacts for short periods of time. In August, I began having severe headaches and ocular migraine symptoms. My formerly normal ocular pressure began to swing up and down. In September, the dryness hit me really hard. I could barely see to drive and working on the computer was virtually impossible. I started looking around for a specialist and found an ophthalmologist who offers Lipiflow. I had that procedure on October 16.

The doctor said I would feel a bit worse for two weeks, then would start improving. She said improvement typically plateaus at 3 months, then you have 18-24 months before the procedure is needed again. At the moment, 1.5 weeks in, I feel some better, but I think that's also due to a decrease in whatever environmental allergy I was reacting to in Aug-Sept. The blinking exercises have also helped as well. I try to do them 5-6 times an hour - makes wearing mascara impossible, but worth it.

I'll keep those interested posted on my Lipiflow progress.

[redeyesat50]

What is the root cause of your dry eye? Is your oil solidified?

Yes, my oil gets solidified. The IPL treatments have helped tremendously. But, I still have dry eyes in the middle of the night.

[SharonS]

Hi, yes it's so complex a condition every thing effects everyone differently. My eye issues originally started as I had open glands but no oil coming out as there simply wasn't anything there (this accursed the knock on effect of tear deficiency too) since starting fish oil I finally have oil (just found out last week at my 4 month follow up) so I think the fish oil has started the process of improvement, yet my tbut is still the same and in that time I have developed bleph from mild to moderate which is actually stopping the oil I now have, doing its job! It's so much about detective work and trying new things to try and manage this condition. Omega eye is quite pricy to take if your not sure of its benefits, but I have been told by one ophthalmologist that in can be 9-12 months for some times the benefits to shine through of any type of fish oil so I would keep at it, even if you change to a cheaper brand. Xx

Yeah I have heard that too - I will definitely keep taking them as I imagine they won't be doing any harm either way, and I am too scared to stop. I wish I had been offered medication back then rather than just omega 3, I was in so much pain (still am) and was being told omega 3's will cure me! ahhhhhhhh to go back in time...I have had Lipiflow done as well but it didn't help me at all, not sure why, think I just have chronic inflammation that isn't being controlled xx

[savino]

I'd get the lipiflow every 3 months if I could. It really created a lot of oil in my eyes and no nighttime dryness. But it is TOO expensive to do it every 3 months. If it was about $100 US perhaps it would be worth it. They need to create an at-home device that was no too expensive. That would be nice.

I want a permanent solution, but I don't see that happening.

...........

[redeyesat50]

I'd get the lipiflow every 3 months if I could. It really created a lot of oil in my eyes and no nighttime dryness. But it is TOO expensive to do it every 3 months. If it was about $100 US perhaps it would be worth it. They need to create an at-home device that was no too expensive. That would be nice.

I want a permanent solution, but I don't see that happening.

[waterbee]

I wish we could get lipoflow every 3-6 months some how, so frustrating it wore off for me as it felt a lot better for a while. Hopefully in time it will become a bit more cheaper. Apparently the nhs is doing trials with it at the moment with the possibility of it being offered in a few years, so that would be great.

[waterbee]

Hi, yes it's so complex a condition every thing effects everyone differently. My eye issues originally started as I had open glands but no oil coming out as there simply wasn't anything there (this accursed the knock on effect of tear deficiency too) since starting fish oil I finally have oil (just found out last week at my 4 month follow up) so I think the fish oil has started the process of improvement, yet my tbut is still the same and in that time I have developed bleph from mild to moderate which is actually stopping the oil I now have, doing its job! It's so much about detective work and trying new things to try and manage this condition. Omega eye is quite pricy to take if your not sure of its benefits, but I have been told by one ophthalmologist that in can be 9-12 months for some times the benefits to shine through of any type of fish oil so I would keep at it, even if you change to a cheaper brand. Xx

[SharonS]

It's called omega eye, worth a trip to there website to read a bit about how they refine it as it's done differently to the majority of fish oils I've tried previously (which frustrated me no end as didn't help)
It's Quite pricy though, but to be honest id got to the point where I was willing to try anything for the stinging which was 24 -7 and just horrible to live with. My eyes are still dry but the stinging has gone completely and my eyes are only red now if I cry. I shouid do a recommendation post for it actually in the forum about supplements but keep forgetting.

Ahhh thanks for messaging back! I have been using Scope's omega eye since February as it was recommended by every optometrist/doctor I went to see. I was recommended in May to take double the dose (8 capsules ahhh) for 3 months. I have seen no improvement with it. I am not surprised, this condition is so complex, what helps someone has no effect on another. Yet I'm scared to stop taking haha. I am so glad it is helping you though, I know that stinging sensation is unbearable!! xx

[redeyesat50]

The lipiflow helped tremendously with my blepharitis. That is probably the biggest improvement I've seen.

[waterbee]

Hi waterbee, what fish oil do you use? Xx

It's called omega eye, worth a trip to there website to read a bit about how they refine it as it's done differently to the majority of fish oils I've tried previously (which frustrated me no end as didn't help)
It's Quite pricy though, but to be honest id got to the point where I was willing to try anything for the stinging which was 24 -7 and just horrible to live with. My eyes are still dry but the stinging has gone completely and my eyes are only red now if I cry. I shouid do a recommendation post for it actually in the forum about supplements but keep forgetting.