TearScience, Inc., a privately-held medical device company, announced that Fayetteville, North Carolina-based Carolina Vision Center, is the first eye care center in United States to commercially offer the LipiFlow[R] Thermal Pulsation System, a breakthrough treatment for evaporative dry eye disease. TearScience's LipiFlow is designed to address meibomian gland dysfunction, allowing for the treatment of eyelid gland blockages during a non-invasive procedure administered at an eye care office. Opening the blocked eyelid glands allows the glands to resume the natural production of lipids (oils) needed for a healthy tear film. TearScience received U.S. FDA clearance for its LipiFlow[R] medical device on June 28, 2011 (see also Eye Diseases).
'I am very pleased with the results since receiving the LipiFlow[R] treatment at Carolina Vision Center,' said Suzanne Hughes, a Raleigh resident and long time dry eye sufferer. 'My eyes are no longer red or itchy. The LipiFlow[R] treatment was painless. It felt like my eyes were being gently massaged with mild heat. I would highly recommend this treatment for those with chronic dry eye.'
Evaporative dry eye is caused by a deficiency in the lipid layer of the eye's natural tear film, resulting from blockages in the lipid-producing meibomian glands located in the eyelids, called meibomian gland dysfunction. A lipid deficiency can lead to evaporation of tears at a faster rate than normal, which can leave eyes feeling dry, irritated, tired and red. Of the more than 100 million dry eye sufferers worldwide, approximately 65 percent have evaporative dry eye.
'Carolina Vision Center prides itself on using the most advanced technology to provide excellent patient care,' said Dr. Michael Woodcock, founder at Carolina Vision Center. 'The LipiFlow[R] system provides us with an entirely new way to help a host of very frustrated dry eye patients. I was very impressed with the science behind the LipiFlow[R] and the clinical trial results. I'm delighted that we are the first in the U.S. to offer this advanced treatment.'
TearScience's technology platform is comprised of the LipiView[R] Ocular Surface Interferometer and the LipiFlow[R] Thermal Pulsation System. LipiView[R] allows physicians to visualize the tear film of patients with dry eye disease. LipiFlow[R] applies a precise combination of heat and pulsatile pressure to a patient's eyelids during a 12-minute in-office treatment, which is designed to alleviate meibomian gland blockages. 'We are very proud to work with Carolina Vision Center, one of the most innovative eye care centers on the east coast,' said Jeff O'Hara, vice president of North American sales for TearScience. 'This is a very exciting time for dry eye patients who now have a viable alternative to traditional dry eye treatments.' About TearScience, Inc. Headquartered in Morrisville, North Carolina, TearScience[R] has pioneered devices that provide significant clinical improvement in the treatment of evaporative dry eye. Of the more than 100 million dry eye sufferers worldwide, approximately 65 percent have evaporative dry eye, which is often caused by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and a lipid deficiency of the eye's natural tear film. The Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society (TFOS) workshop, involving two years of work by 50 leading experts from around the world, concluded that MGD is an under-estimated condition and is very likely the most frequent cause of dry eye disease. TearScience's integrated, in-office system enables eye care professionals to effectively address a root cause of evaporative dry eye, obstructed meibomian glands. For additional information, visit www.TearScience.com. About Carolina Vision Center Carolina Vision Center serves its patients with the most advanced technology, the most skilled physicians and the most knowledgeable and caring staff. Carolina Vision Center specializes in dry eye, cataracts, macular degeneration, LASIK, glaucoma, and premium lenses. Dr. Michael Woodcock, the founder of Carolina Vision Center, has been involved in numerous clinical trials and has been voted on America's Top Ophthalmologist list each year since 2004.
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This article was prepared by Health & Medicine Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2011, Health & Medicine Week via NewsRx.com.
