Source
r/Dryeyes•
Barbuffe

Ilux, LipiFlow, is it worth it?

Hi all! I had Lasik surgery 5 years ago but since 1.5 - 2 years my eyes are always dry and it hurts a lot. I use drops, warm mask in the morning and went to see many specialist without any good results. The last doctor that I saw told me that half of my glands were gone. She also recommended me expensive treatments of Lipiflow or Ilux. I'm not convinced of their efficiency since I've read in here that a lot of you tried them with no results and money lost. Any one of you had them with good results? Thanks!

Posted Jan 13, 2023, 3:07 PM UTC

224
Yatharth14k•

Tried it almost 1.5 months ago, it was costly, but it didn't do a thing. There was no improvement whatsoever, infact the eyes were sensitive for the first 2 weeks or so, they felt a little more dry than usual. And after 3 weeks or so, it was back to square one, that is, no improvement. So, in my experience the treatment was an absolute waste.

Like you, I also did ask a lot of people and I'd say roughly 2 in 10 said it had some improvement but the rest 8 said it was a total waste.

3
BarbuffeOP•

Thanks for the info!

1
[deleted]•

[deleted]

1
acclaim1234•

There is no cure. Once the inflammation is under control, thermal pulsation and extraction, plus IPL are the FDA approved methods to help keep the glands alive. Once the glands are gone, comfort will always be allusive. I’ve had good results with IPL. I know this might sound daft, but I’d rather lose money trying to save my glands than saving money but losing my glands.

3
Drbrainchemistry•

Is there no hope for relief with atrophied glands? 75% both bottom lids Gone. On doxy, ickervis and warm compresses. I still never feel like My eyes are back to what they were. Wondering if there is hope

3
0xSudoChown•

There is hope. Some people are able to grow back even after the appearance of full dropout. Probing followed by IPL helps. Intermittent fasting. Sleep hygiene. Etc

3
itsarizzo•

oh, intermittent fasting? do you know which form (how many hours) and if this was found specific to MGD (in the Maskin book or somethin)?

1
0xSudoChown•

Not in the book. But the health benefits are staggering. I stick to 8 hours a day of eating max. I try to get closer to 6. Improves sleep quality to stop eating hours before bed.

1
acclaim1234•

The hope is that only a few glands are needed to maintain a healthy tearfilm. My doctor told me roughly five per eye. IPL has helped me tremendously, and have rejuvenated my glands. Most doctors say that once the glands are gone, they are gone for good. Perhaps advances in medicine and procedures can one day reverse this, but one cannot bank on that now.

1
Confusedvoss•

Hey a quick question. When you refer to inflammation what do you mean?

As in inflamed meibomian glands? I have a severe bacterial colonization in my glands and have been prescribed antibiotics but they arent working tbh. My glands are producing healthy oil though so I am very confused.

1
acclaim1234•

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9301237/

There can be many sources of inflammation on the ocular surface.

1
Confusedvoss•

Thank you for replying but I dont have any disease. I was on accutane that caused dry eyes but I have since then recovered and my glands are producing clear oil. However I was touching my eyes excessively when they were dry because I was so anxious and in pain. Since then the glands are red and inflamed but when the ophthalmologist presses on them the oil is clear. She gave me doxycycline and I have been taking it since a month but no changes seen as yet. Any advise. Thank you

1
acclaim1234•

Dry eye is a disease, and it is often chronic and systemic, so sadly, you have one disease. Accutane can cause permanent alteration and damage to the meibomian glands via altered oil. If accutane worked to reduce the oil on your face, you can understand how it also altered the oil component to your tears.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=doJDLqjakJQ

This is a helpful video from one of the leaders in the field of dry eye disease.

I don’t want to be the bearer of bad new, but dry eye can be very difficult to tamp down to a controlled state, especially if inflammation is present. It took me over a year, 3 doctors, 3 IPL, a handful of medications, and a lot of pain. New medication is on the horizon, so there is hope. However, it can take months of treatment to achieve lasting relief. You have to stick with a routine and give it time.

2
BarbuffeOP•

Ok thank you for your input!

1
katttt18•

Huge improvement for me, totally worth it. 85% back to “normal” with maintenance continued.

3
BarbuffeOP•

Really? Which treatment exactly?

1
katttt18•

Lipiflow, followed by 3 sessions of IPL with the Lumenis M22, Permian protocol (not done by Permian), plus expression.

2
taxhelpyeg•

Lipiflow was a useless waste of $1500 for me. I found IPL better

2
flowercam•

I tried it twice thinking something is better than nothing. But realized in no way was it worth the 800$ no desernable difference a couple months after.

1
Atxforeveronmymind•

Totally worth the $$$ that I spent on 6 IPL treatments! I had the IPL that can treat both my upper and lower lids. I wore a small metal shield on my eyes that did not bother me at all. I suffer from DED, MGD, Ocular Rosacea, Evaporative tears, and whatever else is out there. Tried Lipiflow twice and really liked how good my eyes felt during the treatment but there was no long-term benefit for me. I have had eyelid surgery to correct my lids not closing completely at night as well. That surgery cured my dry eyes at night and waking up with terrible red eyes in the mornings. But still, my eyes would burn sometimes, tears roll down my cheeks, blurry vision during the days and especially at night. So, I found a doctor who only specializes in dry eyes. I also started using the Manuka honey gell at about the same time only before bed. Now I use the honey in the mornings and can go all day without any need for additional drops (preservative free). So, I really can't be sure if it's the honey gel or the IPL, or both. I started my treatments in early Sept 2022 and finished beginning of Dec. Also, if I feel my eyes are getting out of control I use a rescue drop that is prescribed by my dr.. it is Lotemax 0.5%

1
Bonishnox•

Do you no longer need drops or mask at night after getting the eyelid surgery?

1
Atxforeveronmymind•

nope, no mask or drops are needed

2
Bonishnox•

Thanks for the reply, that is incredible!

1