OptiLight IPL Treatment

OptiLight IPL Treatment is an FDA approved procedure for the treatment of dry eye that uses a precise, intense, broad-spectrum light to target inflammation. IPL is used to address the underlying causes of evaporative dry eye, meibomian gland dysfunction, and ocular rosacea.

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OptiLight IPL In-Office Procedure

What is Optilight IPL?

OptiLight IPL (Intense Pulse Light) is the first and only IPL that is FDA approved for the treatment of dry eye disease. A main driver of dry eye disease is inflammation and IPL specifically and effectively targets inflammation with a precise, intense, broad-spectrum light. In addition, IPL restores the function of meibomian glands and improves the quality of your tear film.

How long is the procedure?

The procedure takes about 10-15 min and there are 4 sessions that spaced 2-4 weeks apart. Patients typically report improvement after the 2nd or 3rd treatments.

What does the treatment entail?

  • Your eyes will be covered with pads over the eyelids OR corneal shields in order to protect your eyes during the procedure.

  • A thin layer of coupling gel will be applied to the areas being treated.

  • Light-based therapy is then applied to the skin on and/or around the eyelids. Most patients report no discomfort.

  • OptiLight is usually followed by meibomian gland expression or an advanced heat expression device (such as iLux or TearCare).​​​​​​​

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How often should I do it?

Maintenance sessions depend on the duration, severity, and frequency of symptoms, but re-treatment is usually recommended every 8-12 months. Many advanced patients require 4-8 sessions to notice dry eye relief.


Who is a good candidate for Optilight IPL?

This procedure is indicated for patients with ocular rosacea, meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), demodex mites, dry eye, chalazion, and styes. IPL also has skin-enhancing and anti-aging properties due to collagen production and strengthening properties.


What are the common signs and symptoms of mgd/dry eye?

Uncomfortable dry, red, gritty, irritated, light sensitive, watery, tired eyes and experience visual fluctuations in vision!

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Learn About OptiLight

Do you suffer from dry, red eyes?

With a series of non-invasive 10 minute treatments with OptiLight IPL, we can achieve improvement and management of chronic dry eye disease.

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Dry eye and MGD can have a significant impact on your daily life. Let's address the root cause - inflammation.

CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH DRY EYE

Blepharitis

Blepharitis is a chronic inflammation of the eyelids and is a leading precursor to dry eye disease (DED). Since the eyelids and eyelid margins are never washed, an overabundance of bacteria and biofilm forms on the eyelids and eyelashes leading to complications.


Symptoms include crusting, swollen eyelids, redness, and recurrent styes.

MGD

Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is a chronic, progressive abnormality of the oil glands of the eyes and is the leading cause of dry eye disease (DED). MGD has been linked with loss of productivity at home/work, contact lens intolerance and can negatively impact the outcome of cataract and refractive surgery. If left untreated, it can lead to oil gland constipation and eventual irreversible gland drop out/loss.


Symptoms include chronic dryness, intermittent blurry vision, irritation, redness, foreign body sensation, redness, grittiness, and so many more!

Demodex Blepharitis

Demodex mites live in the hair follicles of the eyelashes and look like cylindrical sleeves on the base of the eyelashes. They easily proliferate when excess bacteria on the eyelids provide an accessible food source for these mites to consume. These mites are common and become more prevalent as we age as more than 75% of patients over the age of 45 have mites and often go undiagnosed.


Symptoms include itchiness (often misdiagnosed as "allergies"), irritation, redness, and eyelash loss and misdirection.

Ocular Rosacea

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition due to hypersensitivity to normal environmental stimuli. Rosacea affects the skin and the sebaceous glands (oil glands) and can therefore cause ocular rosacea. Patients with ocular rosacea present with meibomian gland dysfunction and blepharitis.


Symptoms include burning/stinging eyes, swollen eyelids, redness, development of red vessels around eyes and skin (cheeks and/or nose), and recurrent styes.

Sjogren's Syndrome

Sjogren's Syndrome is a chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune disease that affects the lacrimal gland, the cornea, and the mucous-producing cells in the eyes. Sjogren's patients can also present with meibomian gland dysfunction.


Symptoms include dry mouth, dry eyes, fatigue, burning, eye pain, red eyes, fluctuating and blurry vision.

Lagophthamos

Lagophthamos occurs when a patient has incomplete or abnormal eyelid closure. This can lead to excessive exposure of the front surface of the eye which can lead to ulceration and infection. Lagophthalmos can be associated with sleep apnea, high myopia, thyroid disease, and eyelid surgery.


Symptoms include dry eyes, blurry vision, red eyes, foreign body sensation, increased tearing, and usually worse upon waking up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is oil important in the tear film and where does it come from?

Meibum (or oil) is produced by oil glands (the meibomian glands) located inside the upper and lower eyelids. When we blink completely, the oil glands are able to express lubricating oils which seals in the moisture (aka: prevents your tears from evaporation). Think about it like Italian dressing - oil sits on top and water on the bottom. This oil becomes an important key to MGD treatment and management.

How does MGD cause dry eye?

An astonishing 86% of dry eye patients present with MGD (meibomian gland dysfunction)! MGD is associated with an increased bacterial overpopulation (blepharitis), which leads to eye inflammation. Furthermore, in MGD patients the oil glands stop producing a healthy oil (clear and liquid meibum) and instead, produce thick, viscous and toothpaste-like meibum. The change in this oil consistency leads the oil glands to become blocked and constipated. A hardened oil cannot be excreted when we blink which therefore leads to dry eye symptoms.

Does rosacea cause dry eye?

Over 80% of patients with Rosacea suffer from MGD. In rosacea, abnormal blood vessels release pro-inflammatory agents that are in turn are released to the eyelids via the vasculature of the eyelids. These inflammatory agents cause an inflammatory cascade in the eyes leadings to signs and symptoms of dry eye.

How does OptiLight IPL help with inflammation?

MDG, blepharitis, demodex mites, and rosacea all cause inflammation in the eyes. OptiLight breaks the vicious cycle of inflammation because it:

  • Alleviates the abnormal blood vessels that are causing and worsening inflammation.
  • Decreases the level of inflammatory mediators.
  • Decreases demodex mites and bacterial load.
  • Restores meibomian gland anatomy and function.
Do I have to do an eyelid cleaning before TearCare?

It is highly recommended to perform BlephEx or ZEST prior to oil gland expression to get the best results. An exfoliation of the eyelids helps remove biofilm, blepharitis, demodex mites, and cleans the orifices of your oil glands. This allows for a more effortless expression of the oil glands.

How soon after my IPL treatment can I return to work?

There is commonly no downtime and patients often resume their daily activities immediately after their treatment session. It is recommended that SPF is used after treatment.

Is this procedure covered by insurance?
As of now, there are no insurance policies that offer coverage at this time.

ADVANCED DRY EYE THERAPY

Blephex eyelid exfoliation treatment


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zocular eylid system treatment (Zest)


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optilight intense pulse light (ipl) mgd and rosacea treatment


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Tearcare mgd treatment


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Oil Gland expression treatment


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Ilux mgd thermal pulsation treatment


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Punctal Plugs


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Regenereyes Eye Drops


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Amniotic Membranes


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