I am evaluating a number of in-practice/clinic professional treatments that may improve or replace, at least in part, home treatments, in much the same way as the treatments from your dental hygienist improve dental hygiene:

PUNCTAL OCCLUSION - WHAT IS IT?

This where absorbable Intracanalicular Implants, which are microscopic plugs or implants that reduce tear flow out through the lacrimal ducts, and so retain more tears on the ocular surface, are placed in the tear ducts. The tear ducts drain tears from the eye down into the nasal pages and the back of the throat.

WHY ARE THEY USED?

For dry eye patients who have difficulties producing enough tears, known as aqueous deficient dry eye, they can be particularly helpful.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

One of the pathways tear loss is reduced, retaining more moisture on the eyes surface. It may mean less frequent application of drops during the day and more eye comfort on waking.
I only use absorbable Intracanicular Implants for patients nowadays, avoiding potential plug loss and discomfort, these absorb over a period of time, sometimes up to six months, rather like absorbable sutures. Implantation is painless and they are not visible to the naked eye.

PHOTOBIOMODULATION - WHAT IS IT?

Dermatologists have been using Low Level Light Therapy (LLLT) since 1987 to heal and rejuvenate tissue. Ophthalmology has been using this technology since 1999 when they started treating glaucoma via Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT), which does not cut or burn the trabecular meshwork, but simply stimulates it, increasing cellular metabolism for aqueous drainage.

Now derived from decades of use in treating gum disease this simple, innovative and professional system is used to treat many of the conditions that adversely affect the ocular surface - using Light Modulation® / LLLT technology.

Photobiomodulation treatment

FIRST APPROVED TREATMENT FOR DRY EYE /MGD USING PHOTOBIOMODULATION

Photobiomodulation is an innovative technology that stimulates mitochondria contained in the cells. Light modulation® triggers biochemical and biophysical reactions that encourages cells to create a better protein synthesis.

What are the benifits? Lower and upper eyelids treatment: 100% of the eyes’s Meibomian glands. Direct treatment of meibomian glands The LED matrix triggers eyelid endogenous heat and ATP production. This patented technology encourages removal of gland blockage, allows lipids to flow to complete tear composition. Improved lipid presence avoids fast evaporation of tears. Please contact Andrew D Price by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  for an initial discussion on if, following an initial assessment, you may be suitable for photobiomodulation, this is provided in the practice you attend.

WHAT IS THE ZEST TREATMENT?

Every six months or so, we make an appointment with our dentist to have a deep cleaning of our teeth. We know the importance of dental hygiene because we brush our teeth daily. Even with daily brushing, a tough film of bacteria develops on our teeth, requiring routine cleaning to maintain our oral health.
Our ocular health is no less critical, but many of us do not perform daily lid hygiene, and even fewer schedule a visit with our eye care specialists to deep clean our eyelids thoroughly every 6 months. Washing our face is insufficient to remove the daily buildup on our eyelid margin. Our lashes hide the lid margin, and the orbital bones glide our hands and fingers away from our eyelids while washing our face.

The gradual accumulation of oil, bacteria, Demodex mites, and debris generates inflammation along our eyelid margins that not only damages the eyelid itself but also seeps onto the ocular surface with every blink to cause collateral damage on the conjunctiva and cornea. Chronic inflammation causes blurriness, grittiness, dryness, and redness – hallmarks of dry eye syndrome. Beyond the symptoms are anatomic changes to our eyes. Our eyelid margin becomes vascularized and irregular, which can cause mechanical damage to the cornea and inflammatory changes on the cornea that can be seen as punctate epitheliopathy, Staphylococcal marginal disease, and even ulcers. The lacrimal punctum constricts, leading to decreased tear drainage and increased accumulation of inflammation on the ocular surface. Each successive injury to our eyelids potentiates the next cycle of injury.

WHAT RESULTS CAN BE EXPECTED FROM THE ZEST TREATMENT?

Okra-based products with an in-practice treatment use a polysaccharide complex derived from fresh okra to control inflammation, reduce biofilm, and kill any Demodex mites.

Like our teeth, even daily eyelid hygiene cannot remove the tough biofilm plaque that develops over time. We offer a type of eyelid debridement procedure called ZEST. This procedure uses a patented gel derived from fresh okra and specially-made soft applicators to cleanse the eyelids without pain or trauma. The ZEST treatment differs from other in-office deep lid cleaning procedures because it dramatically and instantly improves dry eye symptoms from almost any cause, from Demodex to meibomian gland disease (MGD).