What to Expect During and After a LipiFlow® Treatment

Dry eye symptoms like burning, irritation, and fluctuating vision can make even simple daily tasks uncomfortable. For many patients, these symptoms are caused by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), a common condition affecting the quality of the tear film. LipiFlow® is an advanced in-office treatment designed to address this underlying issue.

What Is LipiFlow® and Why Is It Recommended?

LipiFlow is an in-office treatment designed to clear blockages in the meibomian glands - the oil-producing glands along the eyelid margins. These oils are essential for keeping tears from evaporating too quickly. When the glands are blocked, tears become unstable, leading to dry eye symptoms. Unlike eye drops that temporarily relieve symptoms, LipiFlow targets the underlying cause by gently warming the glands and applying precise pulsation to express trapped oils.

What to Expect Before Your LipiFlow Treatment

Before recommending LipiFlow, your eye doctor will perform a comprehensive dry eye evaluation. This may include:

• Assessing tear quality and quantity

• Examining your eyelids and meibomian glands

• Reviewing symptoms such as irritation, redness, or fluctuating vision

No special preparation is typically required before the procedure.

What Happens During a LipiFlow Treatment?

The LipiFlow procedure is performed in-office and usually takes about 12 minutes per eye.

Here’s what the experience is like:

• Comfortable Setup: You’ll be seated in a treatment chair. A sterile, single-use LipiFlow activator is placed over your eyes. The device rests gently on the whites of the eyes and eyelids.

• Gentle Heat and Pressure: The system delivers controlled warmth to the inner eyelids while applying rhythmic pulsation to the outer lids. This combination helps melt hardened oils and express them from the glands.

• Minimal Sensation: Most patients describe the feeling as warm and mildly massaging. It should not be painful. You’ll be awake the entire time, and the device is designed to protect the cornea throughout treatment.

• Quick and Non-Invasive: There are no needles, no incisions, and no downtime during the procedure itself.

What to Expect In the Days and Weeks After LipiFlow

LipiFlow is not a “quick fix,” but a treatment designed to restore healthier meibomian gland function over time. Because the glands need time to resume normal oil production, improvements often occur gradually rather than immediately.

In the first few days after treatment, some patients notice mild eyelid sensitivity or increased awareness of the eyes. This is normal and typically short-lived, with most people feeling comfortable very quickly.

Over the next two to four weeks, tear quality often begins to improve as the meibomian glands start producing healthier oils. As the tear film becomes more stable, symptoms such as dryness and fluctuating vision may lessen.

Between one and three months after treatment, many patients reach the maximum benefit from LipiFlow. During this period, noticeable reductions in dryness, burning, irritation, and overall discomfort are commonly reported.

To support and extend your results, your eye doctor may recommend additional at-home care, such as warm compresses, proper lid hygiene, artificial tears, or omega-3 supplements. Consistently following these recommendations can help maintain healthier gland function and prolong the benefits of your LipiFlow treatment.

Ready to Find Relief from Dry Eye?

LipiFlow is a safe, comfortable, and clinically proven treatment that addresses the root cause of many dry eye symptoms. By knowing what to expect during and after the procedure, you can approach treatment with confidence and realistic expectations.

If you’re struggling with dry, irritated eyes and want to know whether LipiFlow is right for you, schedule a dry eye evaluation with Lake Lanier Eye Care today. Visit our office in Sugar Hill, Georgia, or call (678) 926-3525 to book an appointment.