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Lumenis Optilight Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL)
What is Optilight IPL Therapy?
Lumenis Optilight Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy is among the more groundbreaking treatments for dry eye and styes. This in-office treatment uses specific wavelengths of light to reduce inflammation around the eyes, enabling oil-producing meibomian glands to better lubricate the eyes and significantly reduce unpleasant dry eye symptoms.
How Does Lumenis Optilight IPL Treatment Work?
The primary cause of dry eye syndrome is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), which occurs when the oil-producing meibomian glands are clogged up and unable to produce a healthy tear film. The oil is crucial as it stops your tear film from evaporating too rapidly.
During the Optilight IPL procedure, the heat emanating from the light helps liquify and release oils that have hardened and clogged the meibomian glands in the eyelids, thus reducing blockages that cause dry eye symptoms and improving the quality of your tears.
Lumenis Optilight IPL Treatment
We start your Optilight IPL treatment by placing shields over your eyes to protect them from the light pulses. Following that, a thin layer of cooling gel is applied to the treatment area and a small device administers the pulses of light to the region around the eyelids, which then dislodge oil buildup.
After Lumenis Optilight IPL Treatment
While certain patients notice immediate improvements in their dry eye symptoms, it generally takes a series of treatments to experience drastic change.
Following the treatment, you may experience blurred vision for several days. There is no reason for concern, as it indicates that your meibomian glands are expressing more oil than your eyes are accustomed to. Aside from this, no downtime is required and you should be able to return to your daily activities right after the treatment.
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How Is Lumenis Optilight IPL Different From Other Dry Eye Treatments?
How Is Lumenis Optilight IPL Different From Other Dry Eye Treatments?
How Is Lumenis Optilight IPL Different From Other Dry Eye Treatments?
Standard dry eye treatments, such as eye drops, artificial tears, hot compresses, and eyelid scrubs, aim to temporarily relieve symptoms instead of treating the root cause of the condition.
Optilight IPL is unique in that it targets the source of your discomfort – the blood vessels surrounding the glands — enabling them to secrete oils naturally and resume their moisturizing function.
This not only relieves symptoms but also slows the progression of chronic dry eye.
Looking to relieve your dry eyes? Let's get you on the books!
What can I expect from the OptiLight treatment?
How Is Lumenis Optilight IPL Different From Other Dry Eye Treatments?
How Is Lumenis Optilight IPL Different From Other Dry Eye Treatments?
You may experience a warm sensation as light is applied to the skin. The treatment is gentle with minimal discomfort. You can return to your daily activities and apply makeup straight away in most cases.
Patients usually report an improvement after the 2nd or 3rd session. Optilight treatment is typically split into 4 sessions, spaced 2-4 weeks apart. Each session usually takes approximately 1 hour.
During treatment, your practitioner will cover your eyes with shields and apply a thin layer of coupling gel on the treatment area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please reach us at Issaquah.Eyeworks@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
OptiLight is a light-based treatment that uses precise, intense broad spectrum light to address dry eye disease due to meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). MGD is the most common cause of dry eye disease, accounting for about 86% of cases. The treatment addresses inflammation, which is one of the key underlying factors in MGD. OptiLight was specifically developed to reach the delicate contours of the treated area safely, effectively and gently using the OPT™ technology.
Lumenis’ patented technology OPT™ (Optimal Pulse Technology) transforms the use of light and allows targeted, uniform, precise, and controlled treatment. Specifically designed for the delicate area below the eye, OPT™ safely and effectively breaks the vicious cycle of inflammation associated with dry eye.
OptiLight is a multi-factorial treatment for a multi-factorial disease. It addresses the disease by reducing major sources of inflammation leading to dry eye disease such as abnormal blood vessels, Demodex mites, and pro-inflammatory agents. OptiLight restors the function of meibomian glands and delays evaporation of the tear film.
Treatment protocol typically consists of 4 sessions, at 2 to 4 weeks apart:
- During treatment, your practitioner will cover your eyes with shields and apply a thin layer of coupling gel on the treatment area.
- During treatment, light is applied on the skin below the eyes, most patients report minimal discomfort.
- OptiLight is followed by meibomian gland expression.
- Each session takes only 10-15 minutes. There is no downtime, you can resume your daily activities immediately.
Patients typically report improvement after 2 to 3 treatments. For optimal results, 4 sessions are advised. To ensure long-term results, a maintenance session is recommended every 6-12 months.
You may experience some redness immediately following treatment. This will usually disappear within a few hours. You can return to your daily activities and apply makeup straight away in most cases. You will be advised to stay out of direct sunlight for a few days and to apply sunscreen.
If you have tried various treatments and still struggle with unpleasant dry eye symptoms, we can help. Contact Dry Eye Center at Issaquah Eyeworks today.
Our practice serves patients from Issaquah, Seattle, Renton, and Redmond, Washington and surrounding communities.