With feedback from CEENTA Optometrist Ron Melton, OD (SouthPark)Do you have dry eye? CEENTA has a new treatment that may be right for you.WHAT IS ILUX?iLux is a new portable thermal pulsation system that treats dry eye by applying heat and pressure to the meibomian glands – the oil glands found on both upper and lower eyelids – which are the source of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD). The meibomian glands are responsible for the oily, or topmost, layer of the tear film. The oily layer is critical to the tear film and helps prevent evaporation of tears.“Meibomian Gland Disease is the major reason patients have dry eyes," CEENTA Optometrist Ron Melton, OD, said. "Depending on the severity of the condition, warm compresses and eyelid massage may not be sufficient at relieving MGD symptoms."iLux takes about 10 minutes per eye, and most patients have the procedure done once or twice per year."I am excited to offer this innovative technology in my practice and feel that it will be beneficial to many patients," Dr. Melton said.WHAT IS DRY EYE?Dry eye is when the eye is not able to produce enough tears or the appropriate quality of tears to keep their eyes healthy or comfortable.Symptoms include uncomfortable eyes, scratchiness, stinging, sensitivity to light, a sensation of something in the eyes, stringy mucus in or around the eyes, eye redness, difficulty wearing contact lenses, difficulty with nighttime driving, eye fatigue, and blurry vision. Some people experience excess tearing because the eye releases a larger-than-usual volume of tears to combat the dryness, which overwhelm the tear drainage system. These excess tears then overflow from your eyes.If left untreated, dry eye can lead to eye infections, damage to the surface of the eye - such as inflammation or abrasion - and difficulty performing everyday activities.WHAT IS MEIBOMIAN GLAND DYSFUNCTION?Over 30 million people in the US have dry eye, and 86 percent of those patients have Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, or MGD.MGD is caused from a blockage or loss of the glands that make meibum. Meibum is an oil that, combined with water and mucus, create the tears that keep your eyes moist. The oil prevents the water from drying out or evaporating too quickly.MGD is a common eye issue, but many people don’t realize they have it. Common causes include wearing contact lenses, high cholesterol, allergic conjunctivitis, bacterial infections, autoimmune diseases, and some medications. The older you are, the likelier you are to have MGD. Also, Asian people are three times more likely to have it than those of European ancestry.WHERE CAN I GET ILUX?Dr. Melton offers iLux in SouthPark.This blog is for informational purposes only. For specific medical questions, please consult your doctor. Would you like an appointment to see if iLux is right for you? Call 704-295-3000. You can also schedule an appointment online or through myCEENTAchart.
