Ophthalmologist from Mainz provides information about therapeutic procedures for treating dry eyes
MAINZ. Dysfunction of the meibomian glands is one of the main causes of dry eye. If such a dysfunction occurs, the tear film has an insufficient layer of fat that protects the watery part of the tear film. The 30 to 40 meibomian glands run perpendicular to the upper and lower eyelid margins. They release sebum there, which seals the tear film. If the ducts of the glands are scarred or secretions build up there, the fat from the glands does not reach the surface of the eye. This can lead to blepharitis (eyelid inflammation), which manifests itself as a red and inflamed edge of the eyelid. According to the guidelines of the professional and specialist associations in ophthalmology, dry eye is a widespread disease that affects around 15 to 17 percent of the total population.
EyeLight Therapy uses a xenon light source to treat dry eyes
How can dry eye, also known medically as sicca syndrome or keratoconjunctivitis sicca, be treated? In addition to non-drug treatment options such as correcting eyelid misalignments and eyelid margin care as well as drug therapy with tear substitutes, treatment with high-energy light pulses can also be an option. This is particularly recommended for ocular rosacea, a chronic inflammatory skin disease. It is also described as Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL). In the ophthalmological group practice Drs. Kauffmann and Breitkopf in Mainz, a special procedure is used: EyeLight therapy. It uses a xenon light source whose light is filtered and thus limited to a therapeutically effective wavelength.
IPL – EyeLight Therapy stimulates the metabolism of the meibomian glands
“Using IPL, we stimulate the metabolism and fat production of the meibomian glands. The light stimulates the parasympathetic control nerves of the glands. As a result, neurotransmitters are released, which can significantly improve the function of the meibomian glands. After an IPL, in most cases the glands produce enough lipid again and the composition of the tear film returns to normal,” describes Dr. med. Thomas Kauffman. After the stimulation, a mask is also used to further boost the cellular fuel ATP. The EyeLight therapy takes about 20 minutes and is painless and is initially carried out three times at intervals of 14 days. “The vast majority of patients we have treated with IPL then show a significant improvement in their symptoms over a longer period of time. If necessary, the therapy can be repeated,” points out the ophthalmologist from Mainz.
Your ophthalmologist in Mainz / Wiesbaden with a wide range of services: Dr. Jutta Kauffmann, Dr. Thomas Kauffmann and Dr. Stefan Breitkopf. Do you have questions about the diagnosis or treatment or surgery of eye diseases such as cataracts or glaucoma? We also specialize in multifocal lenses, retinal detachment, strabismus (crossed eyes) and Botox treatments.
Contact
Ophthalmologists Mainz
Dr. med. Thomas Kauffman
Göttelmannstr. 13a
55130 Mainz
06131 5 78 400