iLux Device for Dry Eye Treatment Overview
Dry eye is mostly caused by the blockage of meibomian gland orifices of the eyelids, and the iLux device can be used to treat MGD with the help of this proprietary light-based heat source which gently warms the inner and outer eyelid to a safe therapeutic temperature. In their office, the physician or technician will place the device directly around the patient’s eyelids and use a magnifying lens to view the eyelids at the same time. This helps them to have a proper view of the meibomian glands and the oils coming out of them. The sterile, single-use, iLux smart tip has an inner pad that slips behind the eyelid being treated and an outer pad that’s pressed against the outer surface of the eyelid during heating and compression; the tip has a temperature that helps to maintain a safe therapeutic heat level of 104 to 108F.
During the treatment process, one button controls the heating process and the compression which allows the physician to position the device in the needed location and controls the duration of heating.
The heat from the iLux device helps to melt the solid oil blocking the meibomian gland orifices; this treatment can be easily used to treat the upper and lower eyelid. iLux has been studied and reviewed for approval by the FDA with results that indicated that patients that used this treatment have experienced significant improvement in dry eye symptoms, meibum or oil quality, pain and discomfort associated with their dry eye disease, and even improvements in vision quality.
The iLux device gives physicians the desired confidence to give their patient feedback as the magnifying lens helps them to properly view the meibomian glands as well.