Lipiview and Meibomian Glands

LipiView ® is a device used by ophthalmologists and optometrists to photograph, observe and measure the quality of a patient’s tears.

Lipiview and Meibomian Glands

There is no real contraindication to an Lipiview evaluation. However, your health care provider will be in the best position to advise you on this. There are no known or possible undesirable effects associated with the use of this device.

Do not use ophthalmic drops before a Lipiview assessment

Interferometric evaluation of the tear film may be affected if you have used ophthalmic drops or ocular lubricants. It is therefore important to refrain from using eye drops or ointments at least 24 hours before the Lipiview® evaluation.

Ladies, also refrain from using oil-based cosmetics in the eye area as this could also distort the results or make them invalid.

Contact lenses and Lipiview

Whether you wear soft or rigid contact lenses, they should be removed at least 4 hours before your Lipiview evaluation.

Do not swim in a chlorinated pool before the Lipiview assessment

Chlorine can affect the tear film for a few hours. For this reason, it is best to avoid swimming in a swimming pool at least 12 hours before your Lipiview appointment.

But what is the Lipiview® evaluation?

The LipiView allows the ophthalmologist or optician to evaluate your tear film by making a video that measures the thickness of the lipid layer (oils). This examination is non-invasive and takes about 5 minutes.

Dry Eye Researchers are beginning to understand the importance of quantifying data to better diagnose and understand dry eye disease. It was for this purpose that the Lipiview was invented. It facilitates diagnosis and treatment since it brings an objectively quantifiable dimension to the clinical evaluation process.

Measure the thickness of the lipid layer between each blink with Lipiview

Lipiview® allows, by interferometry, to measure the thickness of the lipid layer between each of your blinks. There seems to be a strong link between the lipid layer’s thickness of the tear film and dry eye’s symptoms. As you probably already know, the lipid that enters the composition of our tears is produced by the meibomian glands. When these glands do not work as they should, it is called a meibomian gland dysfunction. The malfunctioning of the meibomian glands is the primary cause of dry eye.

Evaluation of the blinking process with Lipiview

The Lipiview® evaluation makes it possible to measure the frequency but also the quality of the eyelids blinking. There are two types of blinking; Complete and partial blinking. During partial blinking, the eyes are not completely closed. This means that your lower and upper eyelids have not touched together. On the other hand, a complete blinking makes it possible to better stimulate the meibomian glands and to promote their optimal functioning.

It seems that the skyrocketing partial blinking problem is proportional to the growing use of digital devices such as mobile phones, tablets, computers and video games.