Is Tixel® Right for Me?

Dry eye disease affects many men and women over 50. While over-the-counter products promise relief, none can match the efficacy of the most advanced in-office treatments, including Tixel i. 

At Wicker Park Eye Center in Chicago, Illinois, Daniel Tepper, MD, and our team provide a range of treatments for dry eye disease, and a fit for virtually every set of needs. We invite you to come by and discuss your symptoms and explore treatment options. 

How to know if you have dry eye disease?

Everyone experiences occasional dry eyes. A day spent in the sun, driving on a gravel or dirt road, or too much screen time can make your eyes feel drier than normal. But when the symptoms persist, you might have a condition called dry eye disease. 

Changes that could indicate dry eye disease include:

• Eye redness
• Stinging, burning, or scratching sensations
• Difficulty driving at night
• Stringy mucus in or near your eyes
• Sensitivity to light
• Blurred vision
• Eye fatigue

Your risk of dry eyes increases as you age, with people over 50 at higher risk. If you experience any of these changes, don’t accept them as just part of aging. Treatments can help. 

How does Tixel i treat dry eyes?

Often, dry eye disease is caused or made worse by problems with your meibomian glands, located along the edges of your eyelids. They produce a thin type of oil that prevents your tears from evaporating too rapidly. 

Tixel i uses a proprietary thermomechanical system to deliver heat to the tissues in your upper and lower eyelids. This heat triggers your body to create new tissue in the area. It also reduces inflammation and restores proper function within the meibomian glands. 

Are Tixel i treatments painful?

One reason Tixel i is such a popular treatment is its ability to address the symptoms of dry eye without surgery, pain, or recovery time. Treatments take just a few moments, and we can treat both eyes during the same appointment. 

At the beginning of your visit, we cleanse your eyelids and apply a numbing gel. Dr. Tepper positions the Tixel i handpiece above the surface of your eyelids. There’s no pain as the device conducts heat into your skin. It’s a good option for all skin types and colors. 

You can return to your normal routine right after treatment. Some patients report immediate improvements, but it can take a month or longer to see the full effects of your Tixel i treatment. 

For optimal results, you need a series of three treatments with two weeks between each. 

Ready to learn more about your options?

If you’re tired of how dry eye disease impacts your day-to-day life, it might be time to explore your treatment options. Connect with our office online or over the phone today to discuss Tixel i and other treatments that could improve your dry eyes.