Harvey A. Fishman, MD, PhD

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Myriad mechanisms contribute to cause; knowing details leads to effective treatment

 is far from being a single disease. Rather, it encompasses many different entities. To determine the proper approach to treatment, physicians must differentiate what type of 

 A host of mechanisms result in various contributing factors.

Regardless of the root cause, as the cornea becomes increasingly irritated it further dries out and normal function deteriorates. Tear production becomes compromised and 

 appear. If a patient has underlying autoimmune/systemic concerns, the cycle is exacerbated.


	Commonly, patients have DED in combination with 


	
	Because MGD is difficult to treat effectively, nonpharmacological treatments have been explored and are becoming more widely embraced. 

 is one such powerful solution that not only can treat the lid margins, but also the skin around the eyes that is contributing to the disease as well. IPL has been shown effective in the literature and in my and many other practices.

 is associated with both facial and ocular rosacea. The parasite is a component of MGD, which in turn, is part of DED-it is a vicious cycle. In large numbers, Demodex itself becomes an inflammatory nidus for the eye, consuming bacteria called 

. It is hypothesized that the interaction of the parasite and the lid’s bacterial load underlies eye lid margin inflammation.

IPL has been shown to dramatically reduce Demodex when studied via 

 before and after treatment. IPL lowers the inflammatory cytokine matrix metalloproteinase 9, a protease that literally “eats” the cornea. Questions remain around the exact mechanism at work and if IPL is definitively killing Demodex-I am in the process of gathering this evidence.


	In my practice, I take a comprehensive “holistic” approach to OSD. I consider everything from the gut microbiome-recommending an anti-inflammatory diet (e.g., omega-3 supplementation)-to devices like IPL and manual expression of the glands to prescription drops to scleral contact lenses for crippling disease.

, plus manual expression and BlephEx/lid debridement to create the “Fishman” Protocol. I treat the entire face, very much like one would for a cosmetic patient, and the upper and lower eyelids. The Optima sapphire-cool light-guide allows me to treat close to the eyelid margin to effectively eradicate Demodex.

Then, I perform manual expression with forceps and grade every single gland. I will use 

 or a similar device at the end to clean any dead mites off the lids. I refer to this as “the rub” step like with contact lens hygiene. If necessary, I will perform additional 

. This rigorous protocol takes 20 to 30 minutes.


	Patient selection is key for a successful IPL-based treatment. It is indicated for those who clearly have MGD, with evidence of facial and/or lid rosacea. In my experience, for these patients, there is no other technique that can rival IPL.

 is the medical director, founder and head of Cataract Service and Advanced Diagnostics and Therapeutics at Fishman Vision, Santa Cruz, CA. He is a consultant to Lumenis and 23&me, receives clinical funding from EyeDetec, is a non-paid medical advisory board member of MiboMedical, and co-founder. 

Articles

Diving into dry eye can help physicians solve patients’ woes

,” a blog series featuring contributions from members of the ophthalmic community. These blogs are an opportunity for ophthalmic bloggers to engage with readers with about a topic that is top of mind, whether it is practice management, experiences with patients, the industry, medicine in general, or healthcare reform. The series continues with this blog by Harvey Fishman, MD, PhD. The views expressed in these blogs are those of their respective contributors and do not represent the views of 

Commonly, patients have DED in combination with 

 Because MGD is difficult to treat effectively, nonpharmacological treatments have been explored and are becoming more widely embraced. 

SLT is a cost-effective, first-line glaucoma approach

The mechanism, although not entirely clear, appears to be caused by the reduction of telangietic blood vessels that supply inflammatory factors to the eye. When these pathways are closed, the inflammatory cycle is reduced. In the aesthetic/cosmetic world, IPL has been long known to improve OSD symptoms in facial rosacea patients.

 is associated with both facial and ocular rosacea. The parasite is a component of MGD, which in turn, is part of DED-it is a vicious cycle. In large numbers, Demodex itself becomes an inflammatory nidus for the eye, consuming bacteria called Bacillus oleronius. It is hypothesized that the interaction of the parasite and the lid’s bacterial load underlies eye lid margin inflammation.

In my practice, I take a comprehensive “holistic” approach to OSD. I consider everything from the gut microbiome-recommending an anti-inflammatory diet (e.g., omega-3 supplementation)-to devices like IPL and manual expression of the glands to prescription drops to scleral contact lenses for crippling disease.

Intense pulsed light therapy for the treatment of chalazia

Then, I perform manual expression with forceps and grade every single glad. I will use 

 or a similar device at the end to clean any dead mites off the lids. I refer to this as "the rub" step like with contact lens hygiene. If necessary, I will perform additional 

Patient selection is key for a successful IPL-based treatment. It is indicated for those who clearly have MGD, with evidence of facial and/or lid rosacea. In my experience, for these patients, there is no other technique that can rival IPL.

When to consider corneal cross-linking treatment

Dr. Fishman is the medical director, founder and head of Cataract Service and Advanced Diagnostics and Therapeutics at Fishman Vision, Santa Cruz, CA. He is a consultant to Lumenis and 23&me, receives clinical funding from EyeDetec, is a non-paid medical advisory board member of MiboMedical, and co-founder EyeCareLIve.

1. Craig JP1, Nichols KK2, Akpek EK, et al. TFOS DEWS II Definition and Classification Report. 

. 2017;15:276-283. doi: 10.1016/j.jtos.2017.05.008.

2. Lemp MA, Crews LA, Bron AJ, Foulks GN, Sullivan BD. Distribution of aqueous-deficient and evaporative dry eye in a clinic-based patient cohort: a retrospective study. 

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3. Dell SJ. Intense pulsed light for evaporative dry eye disease. 

. 2017;11:1167-1173. doi: 10.2147/OPTH.S139894.

4. Geerling G, Baudouin C, Aragona P, et al. Emerging strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction: Proceedings of the OCEAN group meeting. 

. 2017;15:179-192. doi: 10.1016/j.jtos.2017.01.006.

5. Vigo L, Giannaccare G, Sebastiani S, et al. Intense Pulsed light for the treatment of dry eye owing to meibomian gland dysfunction. 

6. Toyos R, McGill W, Briscoe D. Intense pulsed light treatment for dry eye disease due to meibomian gland dysfunction: a 3-year retrospective study. 

7. Viso E, Clemente MillaÌn A, RodriÌguez-Ares MT. Rosacea-associated meibomian gland dysfunction-an epidemiological perspective. 

8. Byun JY, Choi HY, Myung KB, Choi YW. Expression of IL-10, TGF-beta(1) and TNF-alpha in cultured keratinocytes (HaCaT Cells) after IPL treatment or ALA-IPL photodynamic treatment.

9. Lee SY, Park KH, Choi JW, et al. A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, and split-face clinical study on LED phototherapy for skin rejuvenation: clinical, profilometric, histologic, ultrastructural, and biochemical evaluations and comparison of three different treatment settings. 

10. Prieto VG, Sadick NS, Lloreta J, et al. Effects of intense pulsed light on sun-damaged human skin, routine, and ultrastructural analysis. 

11. Karu T. Primary and secondary mechanisms of action of visible to near-IR radiation on cells. 

12. Farivar S, Malekshahabi T, Shiari R. Biological effects of low level laser therapy.

13. Gupta PK, Vora GK, Matossian C, et al. Outcomes of intense pulsed light therapy for treatment of evaporative dry eye disease.

14. Zhang X, Song N, Gong L. Therapeutic Effect of Intense Pulsed Light on Ocular Demodicosis. 

. 2019;44(3):250-256. doi:10.1080/02713683.2018.1536217.

15. Fromstein SR, Harthan JS, Patel J, Opitz DL. Demodex blepharitis: clinical perspectives. 

 (Auckl). 2018; 10: 57–63.  doi: 10.2147/OPTO.S142708

16. Marilyn T Wan1 and Jennifer Y Lin2. Current evidence and applications of photodynamic therapy in dermatology. 

. 2014; 7: 145–163. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S35334

17. Zhu M, Cheng C, Yi H, et al. Quantitative Analysis of the Bacteria in Blepharitis With Demodex Infestation. 

. 2018; 9: 1719.  doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01719

Eradicating Demodex helps keep the ocular microbiome healthy

Harvey A. Fishman, MD, PhD

Articles

Diving into dry eye can help physicians solve patients’ woes

The role of IPL in OSD treatment

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