Bruder Eye Hydrating Compress Added to Our Dry Eye Treatment Regiment

We are excited to now provide the Bruder Eye Hydrating Compress at our Eye Care of Iowa Dry Eye Clinic.  This microwave-activated compress is easy to use.  After 20-30 seconds in the microwave, patients apply the compress over their closed eyes for several minutes. The moist heat goes to work immediately to help slow tear evaporation.  Patented MediBeads absorb water molecules from the air and release them as clean moist heat.

We have found this to be perfect addition to our post-LipiFlow patients.  After the LipiFlow treatment has effectively removed the old waxy oils, the Bruder mask helps keep the new oils that the eyes produce to remain liquefied.  We provide this mask at no charge to all patients that undergo the LipiFlow procedure.

They can also be purchased at our Pleasant Hill office for $25/each.

 

LipiFlow Successfully Treating Dry Eye

Since introducing the LipiFlow technology and the Eye Care of Iowa Dry Eye Clinic in September, we have successfully helped over 40 people with dry eye obtain relief.  Our findings mirror what studies found on the national level.  Close to 80% of people are experiencing relief.  The amount of relief truly depends on the amount of gland atrophy found upon evaluation.  The sooner the problem is found and diagnosed, the better the outcome.  Patients with 20-50% atrophy are returning at one month noting improvement of some kind in their dry eye symptoms.  We have treated a few patients with close to 90% atrophy, and at these dry eye workups, we have been very upfront with these miserable patients, that the procedure would benefit in slowing the rate of atrophy, and to try and preserve the 10% remaining glands.  Unfortunately, once these glands die off, they do not grow back. While these patients often do not experience relief, they understand the importance of preserving what remaining glands they have.

Over the last few months, we have seen people from Des Moines, as well as all over Iowa and beyond.
- Jefferson
- Clear Lake
- Knoxville
- Ames
- Marshalltown
- Mount Pleasant
- Indianola
- Kansas City, MO
- Mankato, MN

We are excited to continue helping those with dry eye in the great state of Iowa obtain dry eye relief.

Patient Testimonial #3 and #4

Patient M.V., a 65 year old female presented to us with constant dry eye, her left eye worse then her right.  She found that after many hours on the computer, she would have dry, gritty red eyes, and it made driving home after work difficult.

LipiView tear evaluation revealed a  poor tear film, and that more then 50% of her blinks were partial blinks.  Meibomian gland evaluation revealed that approximately 50% of her glands had atrophied (died) in her right eye, and 70% in her left eye.  The glands that were still patent (alive) were not producing a good quality oil.  It was thick and pasty, similar to toothpaste or candle wax.  We informed her that the procedure would most likely benefit what glands remained.  We were more optimistic about the right eye, but due to the amount of gland atrophy in the left eye, the procedure would be performed essentially to prevent further gland loss, rather then provide significant relief.  M.V. understood and elected to have the procedure.  After the 12 minute procedure, she noticed immediate relief.  We started her on a good triglyceride fish oil twice daily, as well as blinking exercises to improve her blinking patterns.

M.V. returned to us 4 weeks later with a smile on her face.  She noticed less watering throughout the day, especially in her right eye.  She also noticed a decreased amount of the "crusties" in her eyes in the morning.  She did not use as many artificial tears throughout the day, and her eyes felt better at the end of the work day.  She was glad she had done the procedure.

Patient A. W., a 66 year old male, complained of constantly watering eyes.  Throughout the day, his computer vision would blur because he was constantly wiping at his eyes with a tissue to get rid of the water. By evening, it was even worse, and his eyes felt quite fatigued.

LipiView tear evaluation revealed a poor tear film, but his blinks were normal (normal blinking means that each blink is a full blink, where the upper lid completely covers the eye and makes contact with the lower lid).  Meibomian gland evaluation revealed only 25% atrophy both eyes, but the glands were clogged, and oil was not expressed with pressure.  We informed A.W. that we were optimistic, as his blinks were normal, and glands still patent.  The procedure would be beneficial in removing the thick, dried oils, and help promote a healthier, more liquefied oil.  A.W. elected to have the procedure.

A.W. returned 4 weeks later, noting a decrease in watering throughout the day.  He still had some watering upon waking, but this improved significantly throughout the day.  He was able to work more efficiently on the computer with reduced watering, and he was very happy about this.  We had made working on the computer enjoyable again.