WHAT IS DRY EYE?

Dry eye is a disorder of the tear film due to a reduced production or excessive evaporation of tears, which causes damage to the exposed ocular surface, and is associated with a feeling of eye discomfort. Excessive evaporation of tears (cause of 86% of dry eye cases) is caused by the obstruction or malfunction of the meibomian glands that are located in the eyelids, and are responsible for producing the lipid layer of the tears. When not working properly, they do not produce enough oil component in the tear film, so tears evaporate more rapidly. Insufficient or absent lipid layer can cause evaporation of the tear up to 16 times faster.

THE TEAR FILM

The tear film, necessary to the functioning of the eye is formed by three layers:

• A mucous layer in contact with the eye globe, secreted by the conjunctival mucus cells
• An aqueous layer secreted by the lacrimal glands
• A lipid layer secreted by the meibomian glands

SYMPTOMS

RISK FACTORS

• Allergic conjunctivitus
• Hormonal imbalances – menopause
• Use and abuse of eye cosmetics
• Use of contact lenses
• Chronic blepharitis
• Age (especially after age 50)
• Prolonged use of video terminals
• Prolonged use of systemic drugs (i.e: antihistamines, etc.)
• Air pollution

DIAGNOSES

Dry eye diagnosis should always be made by your optometrist with reliable tests, thus avoiding self diagnosis and treatment “over the counter”. Your Optometrist will consider a number of parameters and the correct therapy for each specific case.

TREATMENTS

There are several solutions for the dry eye problem, ranging from artificial tears (eyedrops) to a new generation of therapeutic treatments.

THE PROTOCOL

The treatment improves symptoms of the disease after a few hours. Thanks to the synergy of the two technologies, the Meibomian glands resume the production of lipids necessary to the eye’s functionality. It is not painful, it lasts a few minutes and allows an immediate return to normal activities. A few hours after the treatment you can appreciate an improvement of the Meibomian gland functionality.

IPL

OPE® (IPL) is a polychromatic light that thanks to thermal pulses stimulates the Meibomian glands to resume normal activities. Applied to the periorbital areas and cheekbone, it stimulates contraction of the glands, increasing the lipid stream and reducing the evaporation of tears.

LIGHT MODULATION

LIGHT MODULATION® (LLLT) is a unique technology of photobiomodulation used for many years in various fields of medicine (dermatology, dentistry, etc.). The emission of a particular light – to a certain wavelength – triggers an endogenous heating of the eyelids. This treatment eases the spill – from the Meibomian glands – of the tear film’s oily component, stabilizing the lipid layer of the tear.