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LipiFlow Treatment in Auckland, AZ

One of the senses that allow you to appreciate the beauty of the world is sight. Sadly, it’s also one of the senses that you usually take for granted - but you shouldn’t. After all, just one small problem with your eyes might escalate into something much bigger. Therefore, you should always give your eyes care.

One of the major problems that you can encounter when it comes to your eyes is dry eyes. Given the amount of use you subject your eyes to, this condition might be unavoidable. 

If you are suffering from dry eyes, it might be because you have Meibomian Gland Dysfunction or gland blockages. 
 

What is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)?


You may have never heard of MGD before, but it’s actually quite common. Millions of Americans actually have dry eyes, and apparently, it’s because of poor blinking.

Every time we blink, we activate the muscles of our Meibomian glands, squeezing each one and basically causing tears. And when you don’t blink enough, the oils in your glands become thick and block the glands responsible for keeping our eyes moisturized, causing dry eyes.

Anyone can get MGD, but some people like contact lens wearers and postmenopausal women are at higher risk. 

And when the Meibomian glands stay blocked for a long time, it will eventually die off, and you’ll experience sore or red eyes, blurry vision, or even eye infections.

Therefore, leaving dry eye symptoms untreated is not recommended. And thankfully, you don’t have to suffer in silence or subject yourself to invasive treatments. Your best bet for this problem is LipiFlow dry eye treatment.
 

What is LipiFlow Treatment?


LipiFlow, as mentioned is a new, non-invasive treatment that is specifically made for alleviating dry eye symptoms. It’s a treatment device that is made to remove anything that may be blocking your meibomian glands. Once the blockage is removed, the glands start to function properly once again, producing the oils that create the protective layer of years. Your eye issues will be corrected with minimal discomfort. 

The device is slipped under your eyelid to apply heat in an outward manner. While heat is applied, your eyelids are also being massaged. The procedure will not affect your eyes in any way. The massage is made for relaxing and opening the ducts of the meibomian glands.

And don’t worry: the treatment will last for only around twelve minutes. Recovery will be a bit long, but you’ll get optimal results between six to eight weeks after the treatment. Some patients even say that they experience results in just four weeks. Take note that results will vary among different patients.
 

How much does LipiFlow cost?


The standard LipiFlow procedure cost is around $350 to $550 per eye. The cost is not only for the procedure itself but also for the assessment, as well as for post-operative checkups that are made to ensure you are on the right track to recovery. Of course, costs will still vary per clinic, so it is better to call and ask to be sure so that you aren’t lacking money when you go for you procedure.

Do take note that LipiFlow is not covered by insurance, so be prepared to pay out of pocket. But it’s worth the cost, especially since the effects of the treatment will last from one to two years. And at least you won’t have to bring along any eye drops wherever you go!
 

Are you a candidate for LipiFlow?


Now, you might be Googling “LipiFlow Treatment in Auckland, AZ.” However, your eye doctor will first have to check if you are a good candidate for LipiFlow.

One good news for you is that patients with MGD make up around two-thirds of people suffering from dry eyes, so it’s possible that you are indeed qualified for LipiFlow. However, once you go to your optometrist in Auckland, AZ, your gland production will still be checked to see if it is in good working order. Dynamic Meibomian Imaging (DMI) will most likely be used to obtain a high-resolution image of your current gland structure. Following that, you may be asked a series of questions, and additional tests may be administered. 

But if you have any of the following symptoms, that might mean you’re a candidate for Lipiflow:
 

  • You have dry eyes
  • You have eye irritation
  • Your eyes are sensitive to light
  • You have frequent changes in vision
  • Your eyes feel constantly fatigued
  • You have contact lens intolerance


However, if you have the following issues, you might not be given LipiFlow treatment:

  • You have recently undergone eye surgery
  • You have a current eye injury
  • You have herpes of the eye
  • You experience chronic eye inflammation


These health issues mean that you need a different treatment. Do also take note that LipiFlow activators may not fit all eye shapes and sizes, which your eye doctor will advise you about.


Are there any side effects of LipiFlow?


As mentioned, LipiFlow is considered to be safe, relatively painless, and non-invasive. However, you can still experience some side effects. These include any of the following:

  • Burning or stinging sensation in your eyes
  • Redness in your eyes
  • Discharges coming from the eyes
  • Blurry vision
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Dryness of the eyes


These effects are common after any eye treatment or surgery. It is best to consult with your optometrist on how to manage them. 
 

Will LipiFlow improve the quality of your life?


Well, if you’re still having doubts about getting this treatment, think about it this way. LipiFlow will treat the cause, not just manage your symptoms. It has a better chance of reducing or even completely removing your dry-eye-related problems. It’s quick, easy, and, as mentioned above, good effects will be felt a few weeks after. 

In short, it’s better to take the time to improve both comfort and vision with LipiFlow, since dry eyes will negatively affect so many things that you do in everyday life. At least after the treatment, you can go on as if nothing happened to your eyes.


Consult with the best optometrist in Albany: NVision Eyecare


Are you interested to schedule a LipiFlow treatment? Or would you just want to know more about it? Our team at NVision Eyecare would love to hear from you. We’ll be glad to explain more about LipiFlow treatments, as well as any other questions you may have about eye procedures and treatments. We not only offer LipiFlow treatment but also general optometric services, as well as other specialized eye care services such as myopia control for children. 

You can contact us here, call 09-884-0034, or visit us at Apollo Health & Wellness Centre, Level 1, Suite 104, 119 Apollo Drive, Rosedale. 

Do take note that our regular hours are from Monday to Friday, from 09:00 am to 2:30 pm. If you want earlier or later appointments, we can do so upon your request. And if you want to visit us on Saturday, we are open from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. We are closed on Sundays and any public holidays, so make sure to plan accordingly.

We look forward to hearing from you and helping you have healthier eyes!