In-Office Procedures · Treatment
LipiFlow Treatment
LipiFlow is vectored thermal pulsation. It warms the inner eyelids while applying gentle pulsatile pressure to the outer lids, expressing the meibomian glands in a single in-office treatment without putting pressure on the eye.
Key points
- Heats the inner (palpebral) lid surface while compressing the outer lid.
- Eyecups shield the globe, so pressure is directed at the lids, not the eye.
- A single treatment of roughly twelve minutes treats both eyes.
- From Johnson & Johnson Vision (TearScience). We stock the single-use activators.
What it is
LipiFlow is an automated thermal pulsation system. A single-use activator fits over the eyelids; a heater warms the inner lid surface while an inflatable bladder applies graded pressure to the outer lid. The eyecup design keeps heat and pressure on the lids and away from the cornea.
How it works
Obstructed meibomian glands hold hardened meibum that will not express on its own. LipiFlow applies therapeutic heat to the inner lid, where the glands actually sit, while pulsatile outer-lid compression milks the warmed glands. Treating from the inner surface means the heat reaches the glands directly rather than passing through the full thickness of the lid. Johnson & Johnson Vision product information.
The evidence
Thermal pulsation is supported by randomized, controlled studies in obstructive meibomian gland dysfunction. The pivotal trial reported improvement in meibomian gland secretion scores and dry eye symptoms after a single treatment compared with a warm-compress control, and the approach is now an established option within staged MGD management. Lane et al., Cornea 2012; consistent with TFOS DEWS III.
Where it fits
LipiFlow standardizes the heat-and-express step for obstructive MGD, removing the variability of home warm compresses and manual expression. It is commonly delivered as a single treatment that many patients repeat on roughly an annual basis, alongside ongoing home lid care.
Practical details and consumables
Each treatment uses a single-use activator. We stock the LipiFlow Activator II single unit and the clear ten-pack case on the wholesale platform, so practices that run the system can keep treating without a supply gap.
Sources: Johnson & Johnson Vision product information; Lane et al., Cornea 2012; TFOS DEWS III management of MGD.
One automated treatment delivers consistent heat and pressure across both lids, which is hard to match with warm compresses and manual expression.
Frequently asked questions
Do you carry the activators?
Yes. The single-use LipiFlow Activator II is on the wholesale platform, including a clear ten-pack case.
Where do I get the LipiFlow device itself?
The system is from Johnson & Johnson Vision. We supply the consumable activators for practices that run it.
How long is a treatment?
A standard LipiFlow treatment runs about twelve minutes and treats both eyes in one sitting.
How often is it repeated?
Many patients are treated on roughly an annual basis, though cadence depends on severity and response.
How does it differ from MiBo Thermoflo?
LipiFlow heats the inner lid and adds pulsatile pressure to express the glands. MiBo applies continuous heat and massage from outside the lid. Both address obstructive MGD.
