BLEPHEX
Q: What is BlephEx?
A: It is a handheld device that the dry eye specialist will use to clean and debride the lashes and tops of the oil glands. This procedure is performed in clinic on both upper and lower lids, there is no downtime, and it takes about 15 minutes to compete.
Q: Why did Doctor ask me to do the procedure?
A: Doctor prescribes BlephEx for one of two reasons; he found significant Blepharitis & Demodex on your lids and lashes or, he found significant keratin & biofilm buildup on the lid skin blocking where the oils should be coming out from tops of
the Meibomian Glands.
Q: Why doesn’t insurance pay for my BlephEx procedure?
A: BlephEx is considered a new treatment by insurance, which means currently there is no billing code for BlephEx. Although BlephEx is FDA approved, it falls under the category of elective procedure just the same as cosmetic procedures do. This means the fee is paid in full by the patient at the time of service & prior to the procedure.
Q: What to expect the day of my BlephEx appointment?
A: If you drive to your appointment, you will be able to drive home after. We ask that females come having removed all eye makeup prior to appointment. If you wear contacts, please come to your appointment wearing your glasses. Yes, you can use eyedrops the day of (medicated or not). The Dry Eye Specialists will have you slightly reclined in the exam chair; a drop will be instilled in both eyes to numb them, the skin around the eyes will NOT be numb so you will feel the vibration and foam spinning head that cleans the top of the glands and eyelashes, most patients describe this sensation as “tickling” and “weird” feeling.
Q: How often does BlephEx need repeated?
A: There is no set time for when a repeat will be advised, because there are several factors that cause need for a retreatment.
Q: When will I be able to feel the results from the procedure?
A: What has taken years to develop will take time to reverse. Much like a dental cleaning BlephEx is effective and necessary but does not typically provide immediate noted change.
iLUX
Q: What is iLUX?
A: It is a handheld device that the dry eye specialist will use to melt and express the stuck, old oil and dead cells from glands on both your upper and lower eyelids. There is no downtime, and the procedure takes about 20 minutes to complete.
Q: Why did Doctor ask me to do the procedure?
A: Doctor prescribes iLUX when patients have Meibomian Gland Disease (MGD). This means that the glands responsible for producing the oil layer in our tears are blocked and little to no oil is being expressed as you blink. Over time blocked glands start to shorten and die off, we do not want this process to continue as the oil layer in your tears is imperative for clear vision and comfortable feeling eyes.
Q: Why doesn’t insurance pay for my iLUX procedure?
A: iLUX is still considered a new treatment by insurance which means currently there is no billing code for iLUX. Although iLUX is FDA approved, it falls under the category of elective procedure just the same as cosmetic procedures do. This means the fee is paid in full by the patient at the time of service & prior to the procedure.
Q: What to expect the day of my iLUX appointment?
A: If you can drive to your appointment, you will be able to drive home after. We ask that females come having removed all eye makeup prior to appointment. If you wear contacts, please come to your appointment wearing your glasses. Yes, you can use eyedrops the day of (medicated or not). The Dry Eye Specialists will have you slightly reclined in the exam chair. A drop is instilled in both eyes to numb them. The skin around the eyes will NOT be numb, so you will feel pressure on your eyelids from the device and heat from the LED lights that melt the stuck old oil. Most patients describe this sensation as “warm” during expression which is in 3 second increments as “pinching” and momentarily “uncomfortable”.
Q: How often does iLUX need to be repeated?
A: There is no set time for when a repeat will be advised, because there are several factors that cause need for a repeat. For patients that follow the Doctor’s at home therapies as prescribed and who come in for their advised dry eye follow up appointments, most will not need iLUX repeated for 2 or more years.
Q: When will I be able to tell the results from the procedure?
A: What has taken years to develop will takes time to reverse, take a deep breath and have patience, relief is coming but it takes time! Your glands have not been able to function properly, and they are now essentially empty of oil after your procedure. It takes three or so weeks for the first few glands to start providing oil and will improve over time.
STEROID PRESCRIPTION EYE DROPS
Q: Why did Doctor prescribe a steroid drop?
A: When patients show significant inflammation in their eyes during the evaluation with doctor, he prescribes a short-term course steroid drop, to reduce the inflammation which will also make your eyes feel less irritated and painful.
Q: Why does Doctor need certain patients to return to see him 2-3 weeks after starting their steroid drops?
A: Depending on the steroid drop your insurance would allow, steroid drops can cause increased inner ocular eye pressure. Doctor needs to check your eye pressure to ensure you are not what we call a “steroid responder.” The appointment is relatively quick and there is no downtime.
Q: When do I use the drops and what order do I use them.
A: Use the drops as directed on your Plan of Care under the therapies that the dry eye specialist reviewed with you during your dry eye evaluation or on the pharmacy instructions. There is no specific time of day or order to use your drops, just wait 5-10 minutes between the use of other drops.
PRESCRIPTION DRY EYE DROPS
Q: Why did Doctor prescribe long term dry eye drops?
A: Prescription dry eye drops like Restasis or Xiidra use safe long term inflammation reducing medications like Cyclosporin or Lifitegrast they are therapeutic and take between 2-8 weeks before you will notice any improvement.
Q: What is my cost?
A: Prescription coverage varies significantly between insurance companies; we cannot know what your cost will be. If your eye drops are not affordable for you, please call our clinic and ask to speak with our medication specialist so that alternative options can be reviewed.
Q: How long do I have to use these eye drops?
A: We send the prescription with refills that will last 12 months. Doctor will review your dry eye prescription during routine eye exams or yearly dry eye follow ups and will renew your prescription if he feels you will still benefit from it.
ALLERGY EYE DROPS
Q: Why did Doctor prescribe allergy drops when I don’t even have seasonal allergies?
A: Although you may not have the typical seasonal allergy sufferer’s symptoms, it does not mean that allergens floating in the air and directly into your eyes will not cause eye allergies.
Q: How long do I use allergy drops for?
A: Typically, you will use an allergy drop one to two times daily (spaced 5-10 minutes between the use of other drops). For some, seasonal use is enough, and for others it should be used daily, Doctor will prescribe what is best for your severity of eye allergies.
OASIS: TEARS/TEARS PLUS
Q: Why did Doctor prescribe Oasis Tears?
A: These drops deliver preservative free relief because they have an oil like quality, so they especially help patient’s that are not getting oils from their glands. These drops have not been tested with contact lenses on, so we do not advise you use while wearing your contact lenses.
Q: Why did Doctor prescribe Oasis Tears Plus?
A: These drops deliver preservative free relief because they have an oil like quality and are a thicker consistency, so they especially help patient’s that are not getting oils from their glands and have more severe dry eye. These drops have not been tested with contact lenses on, so we do not advise you use while wearing your contact lenses.
HYDROEYE SOFTGELS
Q: Why did Doctor prescribe HydroEye Softgels?
A: Hydroeye is a unique oral soft gel that provides relief for dry eye discomfort because it contains triglyceride omega-3 & omega-6 fatty acids along with gamma linolenic acid and other key nutrients that work together to support healthier tears and oil from your glands. Depending on your health conditions or other medications you may be taking, we advise you talk to your primary physician or specialty physicians about Hydroeye before taking it.
Q: Is HydroEye vegan?
A: No, HydroEye is not vegan. Flaxseed and black currant seed oil, although much less effective than Hydroeye, are available in adult doses and offer a vegan friendly substitute.
Q: How long do I take HydroEye Softgels for?
A: Hydroeye is advised as an ongoing nutritional dietary supplement to use daily.
HYPOCHLOROUS ACID EYELID SPRAY
Q: Why did Doctor prescribe Hypochlorous Acid eyelid spray?
A: Eyelid hygiene is an important aspect to good ocular health. By using this spray daily, you can prevent eyelid issues like blepharitis, demodex, styes, and biofilm that all cause inflammation in and around the eye.
Q: How long do I use Hypochlorous Acid eyelid spray?
A: Doctor Day advises ongoing, daily use to aid in optimal ocular and eyelid health.
CLIRADEX TEA TREE OIL PRODUCT
Q: Why did Doctor prescribe Cliradex cleansing towelettes?
A: When we have demodex it is important to decrease the overpopulation. Cliradex towelettes are clinically proven to have the highest concentration of tea tree oil that is both safe around the eyes and has natural ingredients that gets down into the follicles of the eyelashes.
Q: How long will I have to use Cliradex towelettes?
A: The severity of your demodex will determine the length of time Doctor will prescribe the towelettes, typically no longer than 8-12 weeks.
Q: How many times a day do I use Cliradex towelettes?
A: Use once daily on both upper and lower eyelid/lash lines and allow it to fully dry. Do not wash the product off.
Q: Why did Doctor prescribe Cliradex Light Foam?
A: When we have demodex it is important to decrease the overpopulation. Cliradex Light Foam has more mild concentration of tea tree oil that is both safe around the eyes and has natural ingredients that get down into the follicles of the eyelashes.
Q: How long will I have to use Cliradex Light Foam?
A: The severity of your demodex will determine the length of time Doctor will prescribe the foam, however, Cliradex Light Foam is gentle enough to use once daily ongoing, if you wish.
Q: Why does Cliradex sting and burn with use?
A: It takes 2-3 weeks for your eyelids to adapt to the Cliradex, after that point it should transition to feeling clean and tingly. If burning or stinging persist past 3 weeks, discontinue use, and give us a call.
HEAT MASK
Q: Why did Doctor prescribe a heat mask?
A: When the oils are stuck in the glands it is very beneficial to use a therapeutic heat mask daily that can deliver continuous heat for 10-15 minutes because the heat softens the oil which can help it more freely blink onto the eyes.
Q: Why does Doctor prescribe a heat mask after having my glands treated with iLUX/IPL?
A: By using a therapeutic heat mask daily that can deliver continuous heat for 10-15 minutes this will help keep the oils in your glands melted and freely blinking onto the eyes which then results in longer benefits from having your glands treated.
Q: How often should I use the heat mask?
A: For best results 10-15 minutes one to two times daily.
Q: What heat mask is right for me?
A: Doctor prescribes TranquileyesXL because it provides continuous therapeutic heat to the eyelids for 10-20 minutes at a safe temperature while sealing in the moisture. There are other heat masks on the market and although we will not be able to speak to their effectiveness, it is your choice to purchase one you feel will work the best for you.
Q: How do I use the TranquileyesXL mask?
A: Please fully read all the detailed instructions on the packaging.
GEL DROP OR SLEEP MASK
Q: Why did Doctor prescribe that I use a thick gel drop like Refresh Liquigel or Oasis Plus or a sleep mask right before closing my eyes to sleep?
A: When your eyes are exposed to air at night during sleep this causes significant side effects and if untreated long term can cause corneal changes and permanent visual disturbance.
Q: How long will I need to use the gel drops or sleep mask?
A: Ongoing nightly use is the best way to protect your eyes and vision.
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