iLux Technology Improves Dry Eye Diagnosis and Treatment

iLux technology has revolutionized dry eye treatment, improving the lives of millions of people with dry eye disease. The latest innovation from iLux is the Systane® iLux²® Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) Thermal Pulsation System. The new technology includes imaging that allows our eye doctors at Laser Eye Center™ to capture high-definition video and infrared images of the glands lining each eyelid. (See left image.)

The handheld device is an all-in-one technology that allows eye care professionals and patients to visualize MGD during dry eye treatment.

Laser Eye Center™ is a leader in the ophthalmology field with more than 30 years of experience helping patients with refractive and cataract surgery and treating various eye diseases and conditions. Our experts have trained other eye surgeons in the region, making Laser Eye Center™ a trusted name throughout Los Angeles and surrounding areas.

What Is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction?

Meibomian glands are small oil-secreting glands lining the margins of the upper and lower eyelids. These glands release oils that mix with other elements of the tear film (mucous and aqueous) for good tear quality and adequate lubrication. The oil, or lipid, layer of the tear film prevents tear evaporation from the eye’s surface and maintains healthy, lubricated eyes. You may experience eye irritation and blurry vision when these glands don’t function properly.

Meibomian gland dysfunction is a common cause of dry eye disease and happens when the glands don’t release enough oil or release poor-quality oils. The openings of the glands may become clogged, decreasing oil production and causing dried, crusted oils to release sporadically, causing more irritation. MGD may cause eyelid inflammation and worsen dry eye symptoms, such as:

• Watering eyes
• Light sensitivity
• Burning eyes
• Itchy eyes
• Dryness
• Sensations of a foreign object in the eye
• Styes
• Blurry vision
• Redness

How iLux Technology Revolutionizes Dry Eye Treatment

The MGD Thermal Pulsation System creates a picture of the typically-invisible issue of clogged meibomian glands. Systane® iLux²® treatments take eight to 12 minutes per eye to complete, and patients can view their meibomian glands with the images provided by the system with real-time high-def video of the procedure.

Our eye doctors can customize the compression and heat settings more easily using Systane® iLux²® because they can visualize the treatment zones. The imaging capabilities of this technology offer unprecedented disease tracking and management.

What to Expect During iLux²® MGD Thermal Pulsation Treatments

An estimated 86% of people with dry eye disease exhibit signs of MGD, and early treatment is best. Systane® iLux²® MGD Thermal Pulsation System provides rapid treatments in as little as eight minutes for long-lasting and fast-acting results. It’s a non-invasive treatment delivering warm pressure directly to the eyelids to unclog the meibomian glands. The therapeutic heat is set to the ideal temperature to melt the oil clogging the glands, and the precision pressure expresses the blockages.

One of our eye doctors will be there the entire time, providing real-time feedback due to the imaging provided by iLux technology. Once the glands are unclogged, it’s easier for the oil to release and mix with other tear film components on the eye’s surface for improved lubrication and reduced dry eye symptoms.

The iLux device can significantly reduce dry eye symptoms, such as irritation and grittiness. In clinical trials, the Systane® iLux²® system increased meibomian gland function by up to 300% four weeks after treatment.

If you’re interested in iLux treatments for dry eye disease and MGD, contact Laser Eye Center™ in Los Angeles today. Schedule an eye exam and consultation with our eye doctors by calling (800) 805-2737 or filling out our online contact form.