Maple Eye and Laser Center
Dry Eye Treatment to Westchester County | Maple Eye and Laser

White Plains Ophthalmologist Brings Revolutionary Dry Eye Treatment to Westchester County

lipiflow
White Plains, NY- Local eye surgeon Howard S. Kornstein, MD, is pleased to announce that he now offers LipiFlow® treatment for dry eye at his White Plains, NY practice, Maple Eye and Laser Center. Dr. Kornstein’s office is the first Lipiflow® location in the area, making this revolutionary treatment available to patients in Westchester and Rockland Counties. The advanced, FDA-approved dry eye treatment can reduce the itching, burning, and irritation caused by dry eye, restoring patient comfort and promoting better vision in the process.

Developed by TearScience®, LipiFlow® treatment is a great step forward in minimally invasive eye care. LipiFlow® treats dry eye caused by meibomian gland dysfunction, which plays a role in 86 percent of dry eye cases. LipiFlow® is the only FDA-cleared device available to unblock glands and restore gland function. In doing so, LipiFlow® can prevent progressive deterioration and loss of the important oil-producing meibomian glands.

Understanding Tear Composition

Tears are a critical component of your eye function. They help the eyes to feel comfortable and stay moisturized. Tears are made of three layers:

The Lipid Layer - The outermost layer of the tears, the lipid layer is comprised of special oils that help the tears coat the eye and remain in place.
The Aqueous Layer - The aqueous layer is comprised of water, electrolytes, and proteins.
The Mucous Layer - The innermost layer of the tears, the mucous layer is comprised of mucins that help with even tear distribution.
Evaporative Dry Eye: The Most Common Form of Dry Eye
Evaporative dry eye is the most common type of dry eye, affecting 9 out of 10 people. Evaporative dry eye occurs when there is a lack of oil in the tears, causing the tears to evaporate quickly.

The lack of oil in tears is often the result of a blockage in the glands of the eyelids, which are known as the meibomian glands. The meibomian glands are located inside of the eyelids. Blockages and poor consistency of the lipid layer is often known as meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).

Common Signs and Symptoms of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

The most common symptoms of MGD include the following:
  • Burning eyes
  • Acute light sensitivity
  • Blurry or hazy vision
  • Discomfort in windy or dry conditions
  • Patients that experience these symptoms should schedule an appointment with an experienced ophthalmologist and eye care specialist. If we determine that you have MGD, LipiFlow® is a highly effective treatment.

About LipiFlow® Dry Eye Treatment

Backed by 25 years of scientific research, LipiFlow® offers a state-of-the-art solution to the vast majority of dry eye cases. LipiFlow® helps clear blocked meibomian glands so that the lipid layer of the tears can return to optimal levels.

How LipiFlow® Works

The key component of LipiFlow® treatment is the use of a special thermal pulsation system using an eyepiece known as The Activator. The Activator rests comfortably on the patient's eye and uses a combination of carefully controlled heat and adaptive pressure to encourage the production of lipids.

LipiFlow® treatment is a safe and effective in-office procedure. There are no known adverse side effects of treatment.

Ideal Candidates for LipiFlow®

Ideal candidates for LipiFlow® treatment include those who experience evaporative dry eye linked to MGD. Patients should not be currently suffering from eye infections, eyelid inflammation, or serious systemic conditions, and they should not currently be taking medications that could result in dry eye conditions.

LipiFlow® treatment is not ideal for patients who:
  • Have undergone eye surgery within the last three months
  • Have experienced an eye injury within the last three months
  • Have ocular herpes
  • Suffer from eyelid abnormalities
  • Have issues with corneal integrity
Individual candidacy for LipiFlow® can be assessed as part of the dry eye screening and treatment evaluation process.

How Effective Is LipiFlow® at Treating Dry Eye?

In a clinical trial, LipiFlow® was highly successful at addressing evaporative dry eye. In the study, 79 percent of the patients who underwent LipiFlow® treatment reported improvement of their dry eye symptoms after four weeks. This ranged from a 10 percent improvement in symptoms to a 100 percent improvement of symptoms.

Contact Dr. Howard Kornstein

Howard S. Kornstein, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in cornea, cataract, and refractive surgery who has been in private practice for over fifteen years. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at New York Medical College in Valhalla, a Clinical Instructor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and also an Attending Physician at White Plains Hospital. To learn more about LipiFlow® and other dry eye treatment options, you may contact him at 914-948-5157 or at mapleeyeandlaser@gmail.com.