ILux therapy for Dry Eyes, blepharitis & Stye prevention
At a certain point, many individuals developed red, irritated eyes and swollen or red eyelids (blepharitis) maybe after hiking on a windy day or being subjected to dry indoor heating, etc. . Dry eye discomfort also results from blockages around the edge of the eyelids in the small oil glands. Such meibomian glands lend your tears a defensive fatty coating called sebum. Sebum and mucous prevents the tears from evaporating from the surface of your eye and keeps a nice slick oily coating of tears onto your the surface of your cornea and eyes. This coating is called the tear film. This coating has many benefits, keeps your vision crystal and crisp , provides protection from your eyelids scraping your eyes when you blink , and has anti microbial properties to prevent inflammation and infection .
However in many people, these tiny eyelid oil glands in may become clogged. This can cause many problems
1) dry irritated eyes 2) eyelid pimples and styes and 3) red inflamed or infected eyelids and eyes.
Such blockages are generally handled by 1)lubricating artificial tear eye drops 2) hot compresses of the eyelids and 3) daily washing of eyelids with baby shampoo. or 4) inserting tiny microscopic “stoppers”’or plugs in the tear ducts named “punctual plugs” for resulting dried out eyes or in severe situations… 4) antibiotic eye medication and steroids or oral antibiotics used in treating acne.
There are many reasons why these glands may clog with sebum resulting in dry eyes and styes
To list a few:
-aging
– blinking less from staring at computer or phone screens
-poor hygiene of eyelids ( not washing eyelids aggressively ) or poor health
– chronc eye drop medication usuage and residue build-up
– other skin ailments such as eczema , rosacea, or dermatitis
-chronic oily skin
– diseases slowing blinking frequency ( Alzeheimers, Parkinsons, etc)
– dehydration
What is ILux Therapy?
Recently there are now device-based treatments that help address the root causes of drying.
Here’s a description of a new technology named “ILux Therapy“to help relieve dry eyes used mostly by ophthalmologists and other eye care professionals.
ILux is a portable system intended to heat the eyelids and administer gentle pressure to unlock the blocked meibomian oil glands. This makes it easy for the glands to release their oil onto the eye surface where it is vitally needed.
How ILux therapy works?
ILux is a handheld medicinal system that heats your eyelids softly and securely to a comfortable, therapeutic temperature. This softens the contents of your glands. Once the contents are softened, manual pressure is added to your eyelids to unclog, wipe out, and clean out the sludging of your glands.
What is the ILux treatment procedure?
The ILux system has a specially built smart tip for the eyelid that softly provides care to the blocked glands directly while shielding the eye surface.
Once the blocked areas are identified. Then, the eyelid is held by iLUX device’s soft pads. Thereupeutic light- based heat is applied to the eyelids at a constant warming temperature to soften the backed up oil glands
ILux treatments express the oil and get your eyelid oil system working again before they become permanently permanently clogged
This heat compression is especially beneficial in treating styes, a red bump that appears on the outer edge of the eyelid, much like a pimple, occurs due to the blockage of oil glands. Dirt and dust may clog the oil glands of the eyelids and lead to growing bacteria inside causing a stye to develop.
The aim of an ILux procedure is to internally clean the eyelid and soothe it. The ILux system therapy for most typical lids is beneficial for 6 months. However this depends on the severity of damage done to your oil glands from constant sludging. The ILux therapy will assist and flush out your eyelids for approximately 6 months . But this treatment must be maintained by the patient with proper eyelid hygiene, care and hydration.
What is the major advancement of ILux Therapy?
For maybe the first time ever, for a healthier tear film and recovery from symptoms, iLux sustel gets down to the route of the problem by treating the actual eye glands themselves and preventing the effects of dry eye , styes and blepharitis. Imagine a system working to treat and prevent a problem instead of chasing after the problem. helps eye professionals to interfere to return natural activity to the glands. This is a real breakthrough.
ILux does not merely treat dry eye condition signs, it tackles the core: meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), which accounts for around 86% of diagnosis and is the primary cause of dry eye disease.
ILux offers crucial, permanent relief and liberation from dry, itchy skin, distorted vision, light sensitivity and the sensation of getting something caught in your eye rather than temporarily easing the effects of dry eye (as done by artificial tears). Actually, with iLux, symptom relief will last for 6 !
Why ILux Therapy?
Treatment of iLux is a non-drug, non-surgical procedure that can be administered while on an office appointment. The handheld iLux device is non-intrusive and compact. It easily and efficiently applies medicinal heat to the meibomian glands when placed over the eyelids to loosen the thickened oils; then, the unit applies steady pressure to manually convey the blocked oils. The whole procedure takes about 8 minutes and has already been characterized as a warm eye massage.
What are the precautions?
In patients with the preceding complications, the use of the iLux Device is cautioned: mild to serious allergic, vernal or giant papillary conjunctivitis; extreme inflammation of the eyelid; in patients taking oral drugs suspected to trigger dryness; or patients with previous eyelid surgery or eye lid scarring
What are the potential side effects?
Possible side effects often include eyelid/eye irritation needing cessation of treatment, discomfort or inflammation of the eyelid, transient reddening of the skin, irritation of the eye surface or the skin and ocular signs (e.g. burning, stinging, tearing etc.). You doctor will assist you better if any of the side effects occur after treatment.
How Hudson Ophthalmology can help you?
You will not have to live with the stress of persistent dry eyes, unsightly styes or red itchy inflamed eyelids ! If you are searching for a suitable and efficient approach to the symptoms of dry eyes, styes or chronic blepharitis than ILux may well be appropriate for you.
Please note that iLux treatment is a premium service that is not covered by medical insurance. The cost for services range $325-500/ session ( usually averaging 2 sessions /year ).
Call us today with any questions or to make your appointment for your consultation with Dr Kerline Marcelin or our medical associates.
