Tixel Treatment for Dry Eye Symptoms

Overview

Dry eye syndrome is caused by a chronic lack of sufficient lubrication and moisture on the surface of the eye. Consequences of dry eyes range from subtle but constant eye irritation to significant inflammation and even scarring of the front surface of the eye. Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) refers to the condition where the glands are not secreting enough oil or when the oil they secrete is of poor quality. Tixel is a fractional skin rejuvenation system, which relies on direct thermal energy delivery, free of any radiation type such as laser, RF, etc. The energy is transferred via a continuously sterile, thermal titanium element (the "Tip"), located on the applicator (the "Handpiece"). In this study, the principal investigator will undertake standard treatment of periorbital wrinkles with Tixel and observe the effect on dry eye disease symptoms and signs.

Tixel® (Novoxel®, Israel) is a thermomechanical system developed for fractional treatment. The system is designed for the treatment of soft tissue by direct conduction of heat, enabling fast water evaporation with low thermal damage to the surrounding tissue (such as charring or ablation). The system consists of a handpiece connected to a console. The handpiece applies a therapeutic element, the "tip", fixated on the distal section. The tip is comprised of a gold-plated copper base and a thin-walled titanium alloy cover. While treating patients for wrinkles, it has been observed that in several cases, treatment had an effect on subjects who have been suffering from a pre-condition of dry eye disease. The effect was expressed mainly by increased tearing. In this study, the principal investigator will undertake standard treatment of periorbital wrinkles with Tixel and observe the effect on dry eye disease symptoms and signs.