LipiFlow
LipiFlow is a single-session, in-clinic treatment for obstructive meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), the most common cause of dry eye. It is available at Rose Optometry in Frankton, Hamilton, so Waikato patients no longer need to travel to Auckland for it.
Book a Dry Eye Evaluation online: open our online booking, then scroll down the appointment list to "Dry Eye Evaluation" and choose a time. This is a paid, in-depth assessment (TearCheck, meibography and ScoutPro osmolarity) and the fee is confirmed when you book. Prefer to talk? Call (07) 847 3195.
What LipiFlow does
The meibomian glands run vertically inside your eyelids and secrete the oil that keeps your tears from evaporating. In obstructive MGD that oil thickens, the gland openings block, and the glands slowly stop working. If the blockage is not cleared the glands shorten and drop out, and lost glands do not grow back. Our article on meibomian gland dysfunction explains this in more detail.
Warm compresses at home try to soften the oil by heating the outside of the lid, but the heat has to travel through skin and muscle and much of it is lost before it reaches the glands. LipiFlow, known as vectored thermal pulsation, does it the other way round. A small single-use activator sits under the eyelid and heats the inner lid surface to a precisely controlled 42.5°C, directly against the glands, while an insulated outer cup protects the eyeball. At the same time the outer cup applies gentle, pulsed pressure that milks the softened oil out of the glands. Heat and expression happen together, which is what makes it more thorough than heat alone.
What a treatment involves
Both eyes are treated in the same sitting and the cycle runs for about twelve minutes. Most people describe warmth and a rhythmic pressing sensation, not pain. Anaesthetic drops are used so the activators are comfortable. You can drive afterwards, and there is no downtime. Because it is a one-off session rather than a course, it suits people who travel from Cambridge, Te Awamutu, Morrinsville, Huntly or Raglan and want to keep visits to a minimum.
Who LipiFlow suits
LipiFlow is for obstructive MGD where the glands are still structurally viable. That is the key point. Meibography, the infrared imaging of your glands that we do at every dry-eye assessment, decides whether LipiFlow is worth doing. If the images show blocked but intact glands, LipiFlow can improve their function. If they show extensive atrophy there is little left to unblock, and we will be honest about that rather than treat glands that are no longer there. This is one of the reasons we say act early: the earlier the blockage is cleared, the more glands are saved.
It is a good option when inflammation is not the dominant feature, when IPL is unsuitable (darker skin types, photosensitising medications) or when someone wants a single visit rather than a course.
How long it lasts
Studies report improvement in gland function and symptoms lasting many months, and one open-label follow-up study found improvement maintained at twelve months in most patients. The American Academy of Ophthalmology review notes that durability beyond several months is still uncertain. Individual results vary with the severity of gland disease, your environment, screen habits and how consistently you keep up lid hygiene at home. Some people need to repeat treatment after a year or two; some go longer.
The evidence, honestly
LipiFlow has more clinical data behind it than most dry-eye devices. It has been compared with warm compresses and lid hygiene in randomised trials, and a 2023 American Academy of Ophthalmology technology assessment concluded that a single session may safely improve signs or symptoms of MGD, while noting that several trials were industry-supported, that two independent trials found no significant advantage over conventional warm compress therapy, and that long-term durability and cost effectiveness remain uncertain. That is still a stronger evidence position than most newer devices can claim, but it is not a blank cheque. The honest caveats: it does not treat inflammation, so patients with ocular rosacea often do better with IPL or a combination; it does not restore glands already lost; and it is not a cure for a chronic condition. Home care and periodic re-treatment remain part of the picture. We measure your tear film with TearCheck, your glands with meibography and your osmolarity with ScoutPro before and after, so the benefit is documented rather than guessed at.
The assessment decides the treatment
Every dry-eye treatment at Rose Optometry begins with a full assessment at our Dry Eye Clinic in Hamilton. Some patients are better served by IPL, Blephasteam or a Demodex programme with BlephEx, and some by a combination. Between visits, warm compresses, lid cleansers and preservative-free drops from our online store keep the glands moving. Assessment is also available at our affiliated practice, Visique Rototuna Optometrists. Rose Optometry is a member of the Dry Eye Specialist Group.
Frequently asked questions
Is LipiFlow painful?
No. Warmth and gentle pulsing pressure is how most people describe it. Anaesthetic drops keep the eye comfortable.
Is one treatment enough?
Usually one session per course. Whether and when to repeat depends on your follow-up measurements, typically after a year or more.
LipiFlow or IPL?
Blocked glands with little inflammation lean towards LipiFlow; inflamed lids and rosacea lean towards IPL. Some patients benefit from both. The assessment tells us which.
Where can I get LipiFlow in the Waikato?
Rose Optometry, 38 Lake Road, Frankton, Hamilton. Call (07) 847 3195 or email info@roseoptom.co.nz to book a dry-eye assessment, or book a Dry Eye Evaluation online (scroll to it in the list).
How much does LipiFlow cost in Hamilton?
We quote assessment and treatment pricing plainly before anything is booked. Call (07) 847 3195 for current pricing; the assessment comes first because not everyone with dry eye needs LipiFlow.
How long does LipiFlow last?
In the published studies most people held their improvement for around nine to twelve months after a single treatment, and some considerably longer, particularly when a home routine of heat and lid hygiene continues. Repeat treatment is decided on your gland measurements, not a calendar.
Does LipiFlow work, and is it proven?
Yes, within limits. Thermal pulsation has randomised controlled trials, long-term follow-up and an American Academy of Ophthalmology technology assessment behind it, showing improved gland function and symptoms compared with warm compresses in meibomian gland dysfunction. It does not restore glands that have already atrophied, which is why acting early matters.
References
- Tao JP, Shen JF, Aakalu VK, et al. Thermal Pulsation in the Management of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and Dry Eye: A Report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Ophthalmology. 2023;130(12):1336-1341. PMID 37642619. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2023.07.009
- Lane SS, DuBiner HB, Epstein RJ, et al. A new system, the LipiFlow, for the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction. Cornea. 2012;31(4):396-404. PMID 22222996. doi:10.1097/ICO.0b013e318239aaea
- Blackie CA, Coleman CA, Holland EJ. The sustained effect (12 months) of a single-dose vectored thermal pulsation procedure for meibomian gland dysfunction and evaporative dry eye. Clin Ophthalmol. 2016;10:1385-1396. PMID 27555745. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S109663
- Hagen KB, Bedi R, Blackie CA, Christenson-Akagi KJ. Comparison of a single-dose vectored thermal pulsation procedure with a 3-month course of daily oral doxycycline for moderate-to-severe meibomian gland dysfunction. Clin Ophthalmol. 2018;12:161-168. PMID 29398903. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S150433
- Chen KY, Chan HC, Chan CM. Which treatment works better for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction: LipiFlow or intense pulsed light? A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther. 2025;53:104630. PMID 40360035. doi:10.1016/j.pdpdt.2025.104630
- Jones L, Craig JP, Markoulli M, et al. TFOS DEWS III: Management and Therapy. Am J Ophthalmol. 2025;279:289-386. PMID 40467022. doi:10.1016/j.ajo.2025.05.039
- Blackie CA, Solomon JD, Greiner JV, Holmes M, Korb DR. Inner eyelid surface temperature as a function of warm compress methodology. Optom Vis Sci. 2008;85(8):675-683. PMID 18677234. doi:10.1097/OPX.0b013e318181adef
Frequently asked questions
In NZ an optometrist can calculate the prescription for glasses, fit contact lenses, diagnose and treat eye conditions and infections with medication. They can also manage ocular injuries including removing foreign objects. If surgery or specialist treatment is required they can refer to an ophthalmologist (eye surgeon), hospital, or other health care specialist. NZ-trained optometrists must complete a 5-year degree at the University of Auckland before becoming registered.
A dispensing optician has formal training in optical dispensing. They are qualified to help a client choose frames, read a prescription, discuss lens options, take measurements, order and fit glasses.
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who has specialised in the treatment of serious eye disease and ocular surgery such as cataract removal. They do not typically prescribe glasses or contact lenses.
While payment is generally required on the day of appointment, we do offer a number of payment options including Afterpay, Genoapay, QCard, and GoCardless.
Yes, we do.
Yes, you can.
Yes, if you are under 16 years of age you may be eligible for a subsidy for glasses. MSD criteria apply.
No. We are closed on public holidays and long weekends as we believe our staff should have the chance to enjoy this time with friends and family.
See things the Rose way
Make an appointment at Hamilton’s leading eye care specialists.
