River Forest, IL | LipiFlow Techology For Dry Eye | Kirk Eye Center

Scott Kirk: We now have LipiFlow, which is a very sophisticated way to treat the oil glands of the eyelid. What we do is heat up the glands of the eyelid from the inside, and then with a gentle pressure, it massages the lids while they're heated. This loosens up the oily secretions so they can flow better, and we can evacuate the glands and open them up. This then allows them to start functioning again in a normal manner. Approximately 85% of folks that we treat with this have significant relief of their dry eye symptoms.

Scott Kirk: In treatment with LipiFlow, the procedure takes about 12 minutes in the office. It's very gentle. It's really like going in for a massage. It feels good. Afterwards, we do treat you with some drops for about two weeks. It takes about that amount of time for the oil glands to reform and start working again. After that time, we also have other things to do, such as often using Omega-3 fish oil as a supplement. Oftentimes, having you put a humidifier in your rooms. Restasis is often used when necessary, sometimes punctal occlusion. Dry eyes is not just LipiFlow, but a series of things that after we make the diagnosis of what your elements are, we can treat appropriately.