Unique Eye Lid Care That Works for Everyone! — NuLids

Crystal Brimer, OD, FAAO

Damon Dierker, OD, FAAO

Pamela E. Theriot, OD, FAAO

This post is sponsored by NuLids

The majority, if not all, of your patients would benefit from lid hygiene both in-office and at home. NuLids provides practices with a uniquely fast, easy, effective and ultra-affordable way to treat your patients’ lids and lashes.

The NuLids^™ System was introduced to eyecare professionals in 2018 to offer to their patients for at-home eyelid care and now more than 20,000 patients have used NuLids. NuLids PRO, introduced in 2023, is a direct response to the unmet need for a convenient, professional, in-office treatment to clean eye-lash debris and stimulate meibomian glands. The process takes only about two minutes and can easily be performed by the technician. With a very low cost for the starter kit and per-treatment consumables, the NuLids PRO treatment is affordable for nearly all patients, enabling practices to efficiently elevate routine exams, generating significant new profits and practice differentiation.

Poor ocular hygiene can lead to MGD

Recent studies indicate that, if checked in a routine exam, almost 60% of all adults would present with some degree of blepharitis, and / or Demodex.¹ Most eyecare professionals recognize how important it is to be able to clean and treat eyelids and lashes in the office quickly and effectively—especially because blepharitis is often associated with debris left from Demodex mites.

As an added complication, many patients with eyelid debris believe themselves to be asymptomatic and may not actively seek treatment outside of routine exams. As lid and lash debris continues to build up, patients may be at a greater risk of developing meibomian gland dysfunction, the leading cause of evaporative dry eye disease.

Crystal Brimer, OD, FAAO said, “The most important thing is identifying lid and lash debris quickly and doing something about it.”

“I check the lids and lashes of my patients at each appointment,” said Pamela Theriot, OD, FAAO. “If I see Demodex collarettes with my slit lamp, I take a photo and show it to my patients. I explain that those collarettes are creating inflammation and potentially making the eyes red, itchy, irritated, and at risk for MGD. Finally, I let them know about an in-office treatment we can do today, for immediate results.”

The NuLids procedure delivers immediate results

NuLids can also be used for patients with clogged meibomian glands or red, irritated eyes associated with blepharitis. Because meibum is a non-Newtonian fluid, it liquifies readily in the presence of increased shear forces and without the need for application of heat. NuLids is able to apply these shear forces due to its unique oscillation mechanism of action. As it massages the lids, NuLids liquifies meibum thereby stimulating oil flow and helping to eliminate edema in patients with ocular rosacea.

The NuLids PRO procedure can be performed by the doctor or a technician in two minutes. For patients, the procedure is fast, comfortable and highly affordable making it conveniently available at the same time as their regular appointment.

NuLids is also available for at-home use

NuLids Daily is available for at-home treatment. Patients can purchase the product from your practice to address their ocular health and hygiene through daily use. Dr. Brimer has seen improved lid and lash conditions in less than a month when patients use it regularly for one minute per day. “I tell them to brush their teeth and brush their lids,” said Dr. Brimer. “And the majority of my patients are so happy with NuLids results, they use it twice a day.”

NuLids II Clinical Study Results

In a multi-center clinical study, NuLids demonstrated²:

82% improvement in meibomian gland yielding liquid secretions
65% improvement in tear film breakup time
51% improvement in OSDI score
48% improvement in sicca ocular staining score

For more information about the NuLids System, visit https://www.nulids.com/pages/doctors.

References

1. Trattler W, Karpecki P, Rapoport Y, et al. The Prevalence of Demodex Blepharitis in US Eye Care Clinic Patients as Determined by Collarettes: A Pathognomonic Sign. Clin Ophthalmol. 2022;16:1153-1164. Published 2022 Apr 15.
2. Efficacy of Self-Administration of a Personal Mechanical Eyelid Device for the Treatment of Dry Eye Disease, Blepharitisn and Meibomian Gland Disease, Journal of Dry Eye, January 2019, Schanzlin D, Coble, J, Olkowski, J, et al

About Crystal Brimer, OD, FAAO

Dr. Brimer is a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and Southern College of Optometry, a Fellow of the AAO, and a primary clinical investigator. She owns a specialty dry eye clinic in Wilmington, NC, dedicated to treating dry eye differently. Dr. Brimer is devoted to the development of equipment and protocols that help doctors differentiate the underlying causes of ocular surface disease and create successful outcomes. She was the co-creator of the Vision Source Dry Eye Protocol and integral in designing the Oculus 5M software platform and Crystal Tear Report. After seeing the day-to-day struggles offices experienced with the implementation of dry eye, she went on to create the Dry Eye Institute. Here, she hosts doctors from across the country for a small, hands-on, interactive OSD retreat to establish a firm foundation and deliver ongoing resources for successful implementation and outcomes. Dr. Brimer enjoys publishing articles and traveling, both nationally and internationally, to lecture and consult within the field. In her downtime, she enjoys time on the water with her dog and being a member of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary.

More by Crystal Brimer, OD, FAAO

About Damon Dierker, OD, FAAO

Dr. Dierker is Director of Optometric Services at Eye Surgeons of Indiana, an adjunct faculty member at the Indiana University School of Optometry, and Immediate Past President of the Indiana Optometric Association. Dr. Dierker is the Co-Founder and Program Chair of Eyes On Dry Eye, the largest event for eyecare professionals in the industry. He has made significant contributions to raising awareness of dry eye and ocular surface disease in the eyecare community, including the development of Dry Eye Boot Camp and other content resources across dozens of publications.

More by Damon Dierker, OD, FAAO

About Pamela E. Theriot, OD, FAAO

Pamela Theriot, OD, FAAO, Clinical Director of the Dry Eye Relief Center at Lusk Eye Specialists.

Dr. Theriot received her undergraduate degree from Rice University in Houston, TX. She received her Doctorate in Optometry from the University of California at Berkeley, School of Optometry. Her education continued with a residency at the State University of New York, College of Optometry and a fellowship in the American Academy of Optometry.

Dr. Theriot’s husband is a retired pilot in the U.S. Air Force. Being a military wife has led her to work in 6 different states and a variety of different climates. Her passion for treating dry eye patients started while living in the deserts of New Mexico and Arizona.

In 2018, she published the book, “Alleviate Dry Eye”, as an educational guide for patients to get relief from their dry eyes. In 2021, she was appointed to the Public Awareness committee of the Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society (TFOS). Dr. Theriot is an international speaker on the topics of ocular surface disease and anterior segment treatments.

In the past few years, she has authored papers in several journals such as: Review of Optometry, Modern Optometry, Review of Cornea and Contact Lenses, and Optometry Times. She has also been mentioned in In Style Magazine as well as Forbes. She created a Dry Eye Relief Blog loaded with tips and product recommendations for dry eyes patients.

Dr. Theriot resides in Benton, LA, with her husband and their two daughters. They enjoy swimming, boating, camping, laughing and building memories with their friends and family.

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