Dry Eye Treatment
Advanced technology to alleviate dry eye symptoms
Heffington’s Tear SPA
Dry eye treatment doesn’t need to be complicated.
A tear assessment test must be done to determine a plan of action. Most insurance plans will cover this under a comprehensive exam.
One part of this exam is the Tear Break-Up Time (TBT) clinical test, which assesses how much oil is in your tear film. If it’s low, you will be a candidate for Heffington’s Tear SPA.
Our dry eye treatment uses advanced technology to alleviate dry eye symptoms in patients with MGD. Over 30 million people in the United States suffer from dry eye, and 86 percent have MGD.
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)
IPL is versatile, treating conditions like rosacea, telangiectasia, and hyperpigmentation.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy utilizes broad-spectrum light pulses to target various tissues in the skin, primarily melanin and hemoglobin, making it effective for hair removal, skin rejuvenation, and treating pigmentation issues and vascular lesions. IPL works through a process called selective photothermolysis, where the light energy heats and damages the targeted chromophores while sparing surrounding tissues. This leads to the gradual fading or elimination of unwanted lesions and stimulates collagen production, enhancing skin texture and reducing fine lines. IPL is versatile, treating conditions like rosacea, telangiectasia, and hyperpigmentation. Additionally, radiofrequency (RF) is combined with the IPL device to help with skin rejuvenation as well as meibomian gland function.
IPL treatments can improve the overall appearance of the skin by reducing redness, evening out skin tone, and minimizing the appearance of fine lines and large pores. Proper patient assessment and adherence to pre- and post-treatment protocols are essential for achieving optimal results.
LLLT (Low-Level Light Therapy)
Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT), also known as photobiomodulation or cold laser therapy.
Low-Level Light Therapy uses low-intensity lasers or LEDs to stimulate cellular function, promoting tissue repair, reducing inflammation, and alleviating pain. LLLT operates by targeting mitochondrial chromophores, which absorb red and near-infrared light, triggering biological processes that enhance blood flow, ATP release, and stem cell activation. This therapy is applied in various fields, including wound healing, pain management, skin rejuvenation, and hair growth. LLLT shows benefits in treating wrinkles, scars, burns, and inflammatory conditions like psoriasis and acne.
Additionally, it can be used to manage symptoms of conditions like vitiligo and to mitigate UV damage. LLLT also holds potential for treating vision-related issues such as dry eye and meibomian gland dysfunction by improving gland function and reducing inflammation. The diverse applications and benefits of LLLT make it a valuable tool in both medical and cosmetic treatments.
Have eye dryness, irritation, soreness, or tears running down your cheeks ever disrupted your day?
You may have Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, or MGD, a type of dry eye. Heffington’s is proud to be the first eye clinic in Springfield to offer iLUX2®, an innovative system for treating MGD. We want to help you find a solution for your dry eyes.
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
What Is MGD?
Every time you blink, a thin and protective layer of moisture called tear film coats the surface of your eye.
One important component of the tear film is an oily substance called meibum, which is produced by the meibomian glands. Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) occurs when the meibomian glands become blocked or produce poor-quality meibum. This can lead to excessive tear film evaporation and cause dry eye symptoms.
If you’re suffering from MGD, you may experience symptoms like the following:
- Dry eyes
- Burning eyes
- Tired or sore eyes
- Vision fluctuation
- Gritty eyes
- Watery eyes
- Eye irritation
These symptoms can be incredibly frustrating and profoundly impact your day-to-day life. If you’re tired of dealing with dry, irritated eyes, we can help.
We have been looking for a fix for this for a long time. Pills, masks, and eye drops alleviate the symptoms but don’t address the root of the problem. Our Lid Cleanse and Light Therapy treatments have seen Tear Break-Up Time double and even triple, giving patients real relief.
HOW DOES iLUX2® WORK?
The iLUX2® Treatment Process
To treat MGD, iLUX2® addresses the root of the problem: the blocked glands. The in-office procedure requires two simple steps:
1. Advanced Imaging
First, using the portable, handheld iLUX2® device, one of our eye doctors will conduct high-quality imaging so that we can visualize your meibomian glands and evaluate the areas of concern.
2. Gentle and Noninvasive Treatment
Next, we will use BlephEx to clean the surface of your eyelids, one of the few body parts that doesn’t get washed. Then, your eye doctor will administer iLux2®, which therapeutically warms and expresses the eyelid. This unblocks the meibomian glands and encourages the healthy production of meibum. The quality of your tear film will quickly improve, eliminating your dry eye symptoms.
The entire procedure takes about 45 minutes and gives most patients a full year of relief.
Am I a Good Candidate for Heffington’s Tear SPA?
Do you suffer from symptoms of dry eye? Have you been diagnosed with MGD? Do you often use artificial tears? We can help! Contact Heffington’s today.
Please note that this dry eye treatment is designed only for adults with MGD and that it heats and compresses glands in the eyelids. Potential side effects may include eyelid/eye pain requiring stopping the treatment procedure, eyelid/eye irritation or inflammation, temporary reddening of the skin, and other eye symptoms (burning, stinging, tearing, itching, discharge, redness, feeling like there is something in the eye, changes in your vision, sensitivity to light). Ask us for a complete list of safety information for the iLUX2 Device.