Several treatments have been developed to bring dry eye syndrome under control. There is a reason we have multiple options; because each works slightly differently. Lipiflow and BlephEx are two examples.
LipiFlow is a popular dry eye treatment that reduces dry eye symptoms by addressing the dysfunctional meibomian glands in the eyes. These are the glands that are involved in tear production. Studies indicate that approximately 85 percent of dry eye cases are caused by meibomian gland dysfunction. During the LipiFlow treatment, the blockages within these glands are loosened with gentle pressure and heat. The unblocked glands can then resume their normal function.
BlephEx is also designed to treat dry eye syndrome, but it does so by focusing on treating blepharitis. This common condition occurs when natural bacteria along the eyelids grow uncontrollably. It's normal and healthy to have some bacteria around the eyes, but too many leads to redness, inflammation, pain, and excessive tearing. BlephEx works by very gently soaking the eyelid tissue along the lash line with a microsponge, and then removing the loosened debris that is causing irritation.