Outer eyelid heat and pressure treatment for treating meibomian gland dysfunction
First Claim
1. A method of treating meibomian gland dysfunction, comprising:
- applying heat to an outer surface of a patient'"'"'s eyelid to a temperature level to melt, loosen, or soften an obstruction located within a meibomian gland channel of a meibomian gland;
maintaining the heat to the outer surface of the patient'"'"'s eyelid for a period of time; and
applying a compressive force to the outer surface of the patient'"'"'s eyelid to express the obstruction located within the meibomian gland channel from within the meibomian gland channel through a meibomian gland orifice of the meibomian gland.
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Abstract
A method of treating meibomian gland dysfunction. Heat is applied to the outside of the eyelid to provide conductive heat transfer to the meibomian glands. The application of heat assists in the expression of obstructions or occlusions in the meibomian glands to restore sufficient sebum flow to the lipid layer to treat dry eye. A force may also be applied to the outside of the patient'"'"'s eyelid to improve conductive heat transfer and reduce blood flow in the eyelid that causes convective heat loss. Thus, the application of force can further increase the temperature level and/or reduce the time to reach desired temperature levels for removing obstructions or occlusions. Reaching increased temperature levels may improve the melting, loosening, or softening of obstructions or occlusions in the meibomian glands while reducing the amount of time to reach desired temperature levels and/or aid in reducing discomfort to the patient during treatment.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method of treating meibomian gland dysfunction, comprising:
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applying heat to an outer surface of a patient'"'"'s eyelid to a temperature level to melt, loosen, or soften an obstruction located within a meibomian gland channel of a meibomian gland; maintaining the heat to the outer surface of the patient'"'"'s eyelid for a period of time; and applying a compressive force to the outer surface of the patient'"'"'s eyelid to express the obstruction located within the meibomian gland channel from within the meibomian gland channel through a meibomian gland orifice of the meibomian gland. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification