Various
institutions have carried out studies on the tranquileyes and
thermoeyes products. The latest set of results were published
in July 2007:
TEMECULA, CA . . . Forget
the warm compresses, a new study finds Tranquileyes Eye Hydrating
System offers superior relief for patients suffering from
a wide-spread condition known as dry-eye.
Robert Gerowitz, OD, FOAA,
who has been treating dry-eye patients for more than 25 years,
recently completed the Thermoeyes System Holistic Approach
to Dry Eye Study. The S.H.A.D.E. Study compared the effectiveness
of traditional warm compresses to Thermoeyes heat packs used
with the Tranquileyes goggles. For the study, Dr. Gerowitz
selected 14 patient volunteers and had them wear Thermoeyes
on their right eye and warm compresses concurrently on their
left for an eight-week period. This was in addition to any
lifestyle-dietary-pharmaceutical treatments they were already
receiving.
The three factors he most
wished to enhance for the alleviation of Tear Evaporative
Dry Eye was an increase Tear Break-up Time (TBUT), an improvement
in the Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) grading scale, and
a lessening of patient subjective complaints. At the same
time, he wished to determine if he could "build a better
mousetrap" by not only going to a holistic dry eye treatment
but also make treatment more convenient and comfortable.
The results showed 1) The
Thermoeyes system improves Tear Break-up Time by 57% over
standard warm compress, 2) The Thermoeyes system was proven
up to 223% more effective than warm compresses for managing
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, 3) All patient symptoms decreased
or were all together alleviated.
Over 60 million Americans suffer from potentially debilitating
dry-eye symptoms and the numbers are growing. Dry-eye symptoms
include fatigue, dryness, redness, scratchiness and burning,
and can be caused by vision-correction surgery, contact lens
use, low humidity environments, prolonged computer use, allergies
and certain medications – to name a few. The most common
cause of dry eye symptoms is normal aging.
July is Dry Eye Awareness
Month and the perfect time to raise awareness of effective
dry-eye treatments. Tranquileyes goggles naturally restore
moisture by creating heat and increasing humidity around the
eye, which helps stimulate tear production and reduce the
evaporation of natural tears. Thermoeyes gel pad inserts boost
the intensity and duration of the tranquileyes moist heat
treatment. The extra heat helps open the meibomian glands
which secrete the oily lipid layer of the tear film, slowing
evaporation of natural tears.
Many doctors recommend Tranquileyes
Eye Hydrating System for their dry eye patients. For example,
Dr. Robert Latkany, one of the country's leading dry-eye experts
and author of the new book The Dry Eye Remedy: The Complete
Guide to Restoring the Health and Beauty of Your Eyes, has
tested Tranquileyes and now recommends the system for his
patients.
And Jonathan R. Pirnazar,
M.D. was the Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department
of Ophthalmology at University of California, Irvine when
he tested Tranquileyes and found "All of my patients
experienced subjective benefits (i.e. extremely relaxing and
comfortable to use) and 75% recognized measurable improvement
in their dry eye condition within two weeks of using tranquileyes
to enhance their existing treatment.”
Tranquileyes goggles are
hypoallergenic and made with FDA approved materials. They
feature a beautifully sculpted eye cover, made from medical
grade, flexible material. Fabric lined visco-elastic foam
especially designed to form to the face, cushions the eye
cover, providing increased comfort while controlling the temperature
and humidity within the eye environment. A uniquely designed
adjustable comfort wrap holds the eye covers in place and
the stretch fabric ensures no pinching, even with extended
wear.
Eye Eco, Inc., based in
Temecula, CA, is committed to giving back to the community
and donates a percentage of net sales to non-profit organizations
dedicated to finding a cure for Sjogren’s Syndrome and
other diseases that cause chronic dry eyes.
Dr. Robert Gerowitz is in
private practice in Palatine, Illinois. He specializes in
Dry Eye Treatment and Orthokeratology. Dr. Gerowitz has no
financial interest in any of the products or companies mentioned
in this study.
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2005
In the summer of 2005, Dr. Latkany conducted a study of dry
eye patients who wore tranquileyes. All 20 patients in the
study had nocturnal lagophthalmas (the inability to close
the eyes at night) which can cause dry eyes. It is estimated
that 5% of the population sleeps with its eyes open.
Symptoms Reduced
Dr. Latkany used the OSDI score to determine the level of
severity of symptoms. Patients on average noted a reduction
in overall symptoms from 33.85 to 22.4 after wearing tranquileyes
at night for 1 month. A total of 85% of patients reported
an improved quality of sleep.
“tranquileyes is a
fantastic alternative to having to put ointment inside the
eyes or using tape to close the eyes.” Dr. Latkany said.
“Some patients found that the goggles achieved even
a better result than these two other therapies… Some
people have claimed tranquileyes has changed their life forever.’
About Robert Latkany, M.D.
Robert Latkany, M.D.
Founder/Director Dry Eye Clinic NY Eye & Ear Infirmary
Center for Ocular Tear Film Disorders at Laser & Corneal
Surgery
Author of ‘The Dry Eye Remedy – The Complete Guide
to Restoring the Health and Beauty of Your Eyes’
Manhattan 212-832-2020 White Plains 914-328-5300 website:
www.dryeyedoctor.com
Dry Eye Center of New York is committed to treating all disorders
of the surface of the eye. Dr Robert Latkany is the first
New York Eye Doctor to devote a significant portion of his
practice to the treatment of dry eyes and blepharitis. He
founded and is the director of the Dry Eye Clinic at the New
York Eye & Ear Infirmary, the first Dry Eye Clinic in
the tri-state area.
In his private office in
midtown Manhattan Dr. Latkany specializes in treating patients
with Dry Eyes, Blepharitis, Pterygium, Pingueculum, Corneal
Ulcers, Corneal Scars, Corneal swelling requiring Corneal
Transplantation, Stem Cell deficiency, poorly healing Epithelial
Defects (non-healing skin-defects in the eye) that may require
Amniotic Membrane Transplants, Ocular Rosacea, and Styes.
He also performs LASEK or PRK for patients interested in refractive
surgery.
Dr. Robert Latkany is a
board certified and Cornea & External Disease Fellowship
Trained Ophthalmologist. He graduated from Columbia University
and the Boston University School of Medicine. He did his Residency
Training and Fellowship Training at the New York Eye &
Ear Infirmary.
Dr. Latkany is actively
involved in Dry Eye research and lectures nationally and internationally.
He has published several professional papers and has filed
two patents.
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"Dry eyes is a common
issue that can be very debilitating. The cause and degree
of severity are a function of an individual’s physical
condition, lifestyle and environment. While there is no cure,
people can help offset symptoms by keeping their eyes moist
using a combination of available treatments that include artificial
tears, Omega 3 supplements, flaxseed oil, RESTASIS, and a
new product called tranquileyes.
Tranquileyes creates a high
humidity, moisture rich environment around the eyes that relieves
symptoms of dryness by significantly reducing the evaporation
of natural tears. Studies have also found the increased humidity
may help improve the overall health of the eye by thickening
the outer layer of the tear film, thereby giving the eye back
some defense against evaporation.
All of my patients experience
subjective benefits (i.e. extremely relaxing and comfortable
to use) and 75% recognize measurable improvement in their
dry eye condition within two weeks of using tranquileyes to
enhance their existing treatment.”
Jonathan R. Pirnazar,
M.D. is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department
of Ophthalmology at University of California, Irvine. He is
also an attending Surgeon in Ophthalmology at the Veterans
Administration Medical Center in Long Beach, CA.
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