Dry Eye Disease is a common condition that occurs when your eyes do not produce enough tears, or the right quality of tears to keep the surface of the eyes sufficiently lubricated. Symptoms include:

• Stinging / burning / scratchy sensation in your eyes
• Eye redness
• Sensitivity to light
• Blurred vision
• Eye fatigue
• Stringy mucous in or around your eyes
• Watery eyes, which is your body’s response to the irritation of dry eyes
• Difficulty wearing contact lenses

Nearly 30 million Americans report symptoms consistent with dry eye, but only 16 million are diagnosed!

What causes Dry Eye Disease?

There is not just one cause for dry eye. Some people do not produce enough tears, which could be due to hormonal changes, aging, refractive eye surgeries, or medical conditions including Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, and Sjogrens syndrome. While other forms of dry eye start from eyelid inflammation, resulting in an unstable tear film. Certain medications and environmental conditions may be responsible for worsening the condition.

Tears are important to keep the front of your eyes moist and comfortable! They supply oxygen and nutrients to your cornea, prevent against infection, and create a smooth ocular surface so that light is refracted correctly to keep our vision crisp!

What is OptiLight IPL?

OptiLight IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is the first FDA approved light-based, non-invasive therapy used to treat the underlying inflammation which causes Dry Eye Disease, Ocular Rosacea, and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.

During the treatment, precise pulses of broad-spectrum light target and eliminate telangiectatic and damaged blood vessels associated with Ocular Rosacea, liquify blockages in the Meibomian Glands to stimulate healthy tear production, and boost collagen production in the skin around the eyes. OptiLight IPL therapy reduces inflammation in the tissues around the eyes, making it an effective and innovative in-office treatment for Dry Eye Disease.

OptiLight IPL is designed to treat:

• • Ocular and Facial Rosacea
  • Dry Eye Disease
  • Frequent Styes
  • Blepharitis and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
  • Demodex

What Can I Expect From OptiLight IPL Treatment?

OptiLight IPL treatment involves 4 sessions scheduled 2-4 weeks apart. Each session is approximately 20 minutes in duration.

At the start of the treatment, you are fitted with specially designed eye shields, and a cooling gel is applied to the skin around the eyes to make you comfortable during treatment. During OptiLight IPL treatment, patients report a warm feeling on the skin as the light is applied, with minimal discomfort.

 

Some patients notice an immediate improvement in their Dry Eye symptoms after treatment. However, it will take all 4 treatments for full effect. Maintenance sessions are scheduled every 6-12 months thereafter.

 

Read more about OptiLight IPL here: https://treatmydryeye.com

 

A complete picture of your dry eye and ocular surface allows our doctors to tailor a dry eye management plan for you.