A method is provided for treating a gland or duct of a patient. In a particular embodiment, an obstruction in a gland or duct and the orifice thereof can be alleviated; in another, a substance can be injected thereinto; in yet another, the gland can be aspirated. The method includes the step of inserting an elongated6 probe into a gland or duct via an orifice thereinto. In some embodiments the probe can have a longitudinal lumen therethrough, with at least one distal hole through the probe wall in fluid communication with the lumen. The lumen can be used in concert with a source of suction for removing debris from the gland or duct, and/or with a source of a fluid and pumping means, for injecting a substance into the gland or duct.

An eyelid manipulation device includes a rigid contact portion dimensioned to be insinuated between an eyelid and a globe, the contact portion having an upwardly-facing surface opposite a downwardly-facing surface, each of the surfaces extending between a distal side and a proximal side of the contact portion; and a rigid stem integral with and extending upwardly from the proximal side of the contact portion. In embodiments, the stem is connectable to a handle. In other embodiments, the stem is elongated, thereby serving as a handle. The eyelid manipulation device may be used during treatment of Meibomian glands or otherwise during treatment of dry eye symptoms.

Certain aspects are directed to an ophthalmic specialty instrument configured to allow patients to treat MGD and other dry eye conditions themselves which is easy to operate and more effective. The ophthalmic specialty instrument comprises a main body of two arms with a distal end and a proximal end; wherein the two arms are pivotably coupled to a common connection point at the proximal end and a pair of angled and slightly wedged pressure plates are attached to the distal end of the two arms; wherein an exfoliating member is also attached to the proximal end; and wherein the pressure plates are angled downwardly and outwardly from the longitudinal planes of the arms and have gentle radius of curvature that match the curvature of eyelids to facilitate a substantially 90° approaching angle to the eyelid margin as opposed to making contact with the eyelids tangentially.

An eyelid flipper tool is used to flip a patient's eyelid to gain access to the patient's meibomian gland lands and gland openings. The eyelid flipper tool has a concave end and a convex end connected by a center section. The concave end has a concave edge with a concave end width, a concave radius, and a curvature. The convex end of the eyelid flipper tool has a convex edge with a convex end up with, a convex end radius, and a curvature. The radii of the concave end and the convex end and the curvature of the ends are dimensioned to conform to the curvature of the eyelids or the globe of a patient's eye.

Devices and methods are described for electrolytically, ultrasonically, or both electrolytically and ultrasonically disrupting debris on an eyelid margin. A device includes an eyelid contacting portion having at least a first electrode, a second electrode, and a power supply electrically coupled to at least one of the first and second electrodes. The eyelid contacting portion may optionally have a shelf separating an upper portion from a lower portion with electrodes on the upper and lower portions. The eyelid contacting portion may optionally include at least one channel with electrodes. The device may optionally include an ultrasonic driver. Another device includes an ultrasonic driver but no electrodes. A method contacts debris on an eyelid margin with a first electrode and contacting a surface of an eyelid with a second electrode and supplying electrical energy to one of the first or second electrodes to disrupt the debris. Another method applies ultrasonic energy to the eyelid margin to disrupt debris on the eyelid margin.

A method of nonsurgical orbital fat reduction includes providing an electromagnetic energy system that includes an electromagnetic energy source and a patient interface coupled to the electromagnetic energy source. The patient interface includes an elongate member configured to deliver electromagnetic energy generated by the electromagnetic energy source to tissue of a medical patient. The method also includes inserting at least a distal portion of the elongate member into an orbital fat pad of the medical patient and delivering a sufficient amount of electromagnetic energy from the electromagnetic energy source to the orbital fat pad to cause the orbital fat pad to shrink in volume.

An assembly for lifting a lower eyelid can be surgically implanted into a patient. The assembly can include a mounting plate, an eyelid support member, and an elongate shaft that extends between and couples the mounting plate to the eyelid support member. The mounting plate can be coupled to facial bone, such as the zygomatic bone, while the eyelid support member contacts and lifts up an inferior tarsus and the lower eyelid of the patient.

A method is provided for treating a gland or duct of a patient. In a particular embodiment, an obstruction in a gland or duct and the orifice thereof can be alleviated; in another, a substance can be injected thereinto; in yet another, the gland can be aspirated. The method includes the step of inserting an elongated probe into a gland or duct via an orifice thereinto. In some embodiments the probe can have a longitudinal lumen therethrough, with at least one distal hole through the probe wall in fluid communication with the lumen. The lumen can be used in concert with a source of suction for removing debris from the gland or duct, and/or with a source of a fluid and pumping means, for injecting a substance into the gland or duct.

Systems, methods, and devices used to treat eyelids, meibomian glands, ducts, and surrounding tissue are described herein. In some embodiments, an eye treatment device is disclosed, which includes a scleral shield positionable proximate an inner surface of an eyelid, the scleral shield being made of, or coated with, an energy-absorbing material activated by a light energy, and an energy transducer positionable outside of the eyelid, the energy transducer configured to provide light energy at one or more wavelengths, including a first wavelength selected to heat the energy-absorbing material.

An instrument for isolating candidate eyelashes to attach prostheses includes an instrument tip which has a tip aperture. A candidate eyelash is disposed in a distal slot of the tip aperture. The instrument tip is advanced relative to the candidate eyelash and the instrument tip applies a force to eyelashes that are adjacent to the candidate eyelash. The application of the force actuates the eyelashes that are adjacent to the candidate eyelash away from the candidate eyelash. The candidate eyelash is actuated into an open area of the tip aperture and a prosthesis is attached to the candidate eyelash.