Intense Pulsed Light therapy for Dry Eye Disease
Millions of people suffer from the symptoms of dry eye disease. Symptoms can include burning, itching, eye redness, watery eyes, feeling like something is stuck in your eyes, and pain. Over time, dry eye disease can even damage the surface of your eyes.
What causes dry eye disease?
Dry eye disease occurs when the eyes don’t produce enough tears, or the tears produced aren’t of sufficient quality. Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is a common cause of dry eye. The meibomian glands are in the eyelids and secrete an oil that helps keep your tears from evaporating too quickly. When these glands become clogged or don’t function properly, it can lead to dry eyes.
Other common causes of dry eye include certain medical conditions (such as Sjogren’s syndrome or rheumatoid arthritis), certain medications (such as antihistamines or antidepressants), and environmental factors (such as prolonged computer use or living in a dry climate.
Intense pulsed light therapy
If you have tried other dry eye treatment options but are still experiencing symptoms, intense pulsed light therapy (IPL) may be able to offer you the relief you have been looking for. Intense pulsed light therapy is a non-invasive treatment for evaporative dry eye disease and rosacea. During therapy, gentle pulses of light target the skin near your eyes to unclog the meibomian glands.
Intense pulsed light therapy treats the root cause of dry eye, not just the consequences and symptoms. IPL works in many ways to help decrease inflammation caused by dry eye. The light energy warms your tear glands and helps restore their function which in turn increases eye lubrication. It also helps kill bacteria, including Demodex mites, in the eyelashes which can contribute to dry eye symptoms.
Patients who have tried traditional dry eye therapies and are still struggling to get results may see improvement with IPL technology. Unlike other remedies, IPL treats dry eye at the source which leaves the patient with long-term relief when compared to other treatment options that solely focus on treating symptoms. Studies show that 93% of people who received IPL therapy have noticed a decrease in the severity of their dry eye.
The procedure is relatively quick and easy. To achieve successful results, it is important to have 4 initial treatments, separated by 2-week periods. IPL generally has no side effects and patients can return to work or their daily activities immediately after treatment.
Learn more about dry eye disease and the IPL therapy we provide. To see what IPL therapy can do for you, book an appointment today with us.
